Chapter 8

The scent of lilies and orchids wafted through Chloe’s flower shop as she arranged a bouquet of sunflowers. Her fingers nimbly twisted stems and tucked leaves, bringing the arrangement to life.

As the door chimed open, Chloe looked up with a smile, ready to greet a customer. Her face fell when Victoria strode through the doorway, an unpleasant smirk curling her lips.

“Well, don’t you look cheerful,” Victoria said in a mocking tone. She glanced around the shop, her gaze sharp and assessing. “Business seems slow today. I suppose that’s not surprising, considering those nasty rumors going around.”

Chloe’s hands curled into fists, crushing the leaves in her grasp. “What are you talking about?”

“Haven’t you heard?” Victoria examined her nails casually. “People are saying your flowers are infested with aphids and that half of your stock is diseased. It’s no wonder customers are taking their business elsewhere.”

Chloe sucked in a sharp breath, her chest tightening. Those were vicious lies, and Victoria knew it. She wanted nothing more than to slap the smug look off Victoria’s face.

With effort, Chloe gentled her grip on the sunflowers and took a deep, steadying breath. Losing her temper would only give Victoria more ammunition.

“Get out of my shop,” she said coldly. “Now. Before I call the police.”

Victoria’s smile widened. “See you around...or rather, maybe not. If those rumors spread, you might not have a shop for much longer.”

Chloe watched in stony silence as Victoria left, the door chiming shut behind her. Her hands were shaking, anger and fear twisting in her gut. Victoria’s underhanded tactics were working, and Chloe didn’t know how to stop them. She was in real danger of losing everything she’d worked so hard to build. The thought made her feel sick inside, and she wondered how she would survive this.

When the door chimed again, she thought it was her coming back, but it was Emily, Hendrix’s ex-girlfriend. Chloe’s heart clenched at the sight of the tall, willowy blonde.

Emily paused in the doorway, her gaze scanning the shop before landing on Chloe. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by a coy smile. “Well, hello there. It’s been a long time.”

Chloe gritted her teeth. “What are you doing here, Emily?”

“I’m in town for a few days and thought I’d stop in to say hello.” Emily drifted closer, trailing a hand along the edge of the counter. “Though I have to admit, I didn’t expect to find you and Hendrix together. How long has that been going on?”

There was a mocking lilt to Emily’s voice that set Chloe’s teeth on edge. She and Hendrix had only just started exploring a romantic relationship, and it was still new and uncertain. Emily’s presence was unwelcome and threatening, dredging up old insecurities.

Chloe lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated. “That’s none of your business. Now, if there’s nothing I can help you with, please leave.”

Emily’s eyes narrowed. “My, my. Aren’t we terse? I was only curious, seeing as Hendrix and I have history. But I can see this is a sensitive topic for you.” Her gaze drifted down to Chloe’s hands, taking in the lilies. “Pretty flowers. Though they seem rather...wilted. I’d heard there were problems with the quality here. It’s a shame, really.”

Chloe’s fingers tightened around the lilies as fury rose inside her, hot and sharp. Emily knew about the rumors too and was clearly reveling in them.

She slammed the lilies onto the counter, petals scattering. “Get out! Now!”

Emily’s laughter followed her out the door, echoing in Chloe’s mind. She closed her eyes, fighting back angry tears. Victoria and Emily were working together to destroy her, and she didn’t know how to defeat them.

Chloe jumped when arms wrapped around her from behind. She relaxed into the familiar embrace, breathing in Hendrix’s scent.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured against her hair. “Emily had no right to come here and harass you like that.”

She turned in his arms, blinking back tears. “How did she even know about us? About the problems I’ve been having?”

Hendrix sighed. “Emily has always had a way of finding out things she shouldn’t. I’m afraid she’s rather vindictive when she doesn’t get her way.” His expression darkened. “We almost got married, remember, until you helped me realize she wasn’t the right woman for me.”

Hendrix cupped her face, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “You have nothing to fear from Emily. My past with her is over and done. You’re the one I want to build a future with.”

Warmth unfurled in her chest, easing the ache left by Emily’s cruelty. She smiled up at him, heart full. “I want that too.”

His answering smile lit up his eyes. “Good. Because you’re not getting rid of me that easily.” Hendrix bent his head, kissing her with a slow, simmering passion that stole her breath away.

By the time he lifted his head, Chloe had forgotten all about Emily and her threats. She only had eyes for the man in front of her—the man she was falling deeper for with each passing day. Together, they could defeat any challenge. Even a vengeful ex with an axe to grind.

* * *

The next morning, Chloe woke to sunlight streaming through the windows and the scent of freshly brewed coffee. She stretched with a contented sigh, memories of the previous night flooding back to her.

Hendrix had stayed over, holding her close through the night and chasing away any lingering fears or doubts with his presence alone. They’d talked for hours. By the time they fell asleep, wrapped up in each other’s arms, Chloe felt closer to Hendrix than ever before.

Now the smell of coffee drew her from the bedroom, where she found Hendrix in the kitchen. He turned as she entered, a slow smile curving his lips. “Good morning, darling.”

“Morning.” Chloe wound her arms around his waist, leaning up on her toes to kiss him. “You’re up early.”

“I wanted to surprise you with breakfast.” He nodded at the counter, where a plate of chocolate chip pancakes waited. “Your favorite.”

Her heart swelled at the gesture. “You’re too good to me.”

“Nonsense.” Hendrix brushed a strand of hair from her face, fingers lingering against her cheek. “You deserve the world, Chloe. I intend to spend my life proving that to you.”

A flush crept into her cheeks at the sincerity in his voice. She cleared her throat, willing her traitorous heart to slow down. “We should probably eat before the pancakes get cold.”

Chuckling, Hendrix pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before pulling out a chair for her. “As my lady wishes.”

They ate in comfortable silence, exchanging smiles and casual touches over the table. A sense of peace settled over Chloe, the stresses of work and relationships fading away in Hendrix’s presence.

Here, at this moment, all was right in her world.

* * *

The next day, Chloe arrived at her flower shop in a cheerful mood, still basking in the glow of her perfect morning with Hendrix. But as she walked through the front door, her steps faltered.

The usually vibrant and colorful interior was dull and lifeless. The flowers drooped in their vases, petals littering the countertops and floor. An acrid, unpleasant odor permeated the air.

Chloe rushed over to the refrigeration unit, dread pooling in her stomach. The temperature gauge read a hazardous 80 degrees. Her flowers, her livelihood, were ruined.

She sank into a chair, tears burning in her eyes. All of her hard work, destroyed. How was this possible?

Then she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. A small device, tucked away under one of the tables. She grabbed it, realization dawning as she examined the foreign object. A thermostat controller, rigged to manipulate the temperature in her refrigerators.

Sabotage.

There was only one person cruel and vindictive enough to do something like this. Victoria.

Anger rose inside Chloe, hot and violent. That jealous witch would pay for this. She had gone too far this time.

Chloe stood, hands clenching into fists, and vowed to put an end to Victoria’s vicious campaign against her once and for all. Her rival had no idea what she was about to unleash.

Chloe smiled then, cold and sinister. Victoria wanted a war? She was about to get one.

Chloe stormed out of the shop, slamming the door behind her. She needed to clear her head before she did something she regretted.

As she walked down the street, she noticed a familiar figure in the distance. Hendrix. Her heart leapt at the sight of him, a reminder of the comfort and joy he brought to her life.

She quickened her pace, catching up to him. He turned just as she approached, a smile lighting up his face.

“Chloe, what a lovely surprise,” he said, pulling her into an embrace. She melted against him, breathing in his scent.

When she pulled back, he frowned. “What’s wrong?”

Leave it to Hendrix to see right through her facade. She sighed, deciding to confide in him. He was the only one she trusted enough to share this burden.

She explained the situation with Victoria, unable to keep the anger and hurt from her voice. By the time she finished, fury burned in Hendrix’s eyes.

“That despicable woman,” he growled. “Don’t you worry, I’ll take care of her.”

Chloe grabbed his arm. “No, Hendrix. This is my battle to fight.”

He opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off. “Please. I need to handle Victoria on my own. Trust me.”

Hendrix studied her for a long moment before nodding. “I do trust you. But if she causes you any more trouble, all bets are off.”

Chloe smiled, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him softly. “Thank you. Now, I should get back to the shop. I have some repairs to make.”

“Do you need any help?” Hendrix asked. Chloe shook her head.

“I’ve got this. But maybe I could see you later? A glass of wine and your charming company would do wonders for my mood.”

“Of course,” Hendrix said, squeezing her hand.

They parted ways, Chloe’s steps lighter than before. She had a battle to plan and a victory to win. But she also had Hendrix. Together, they were unstoppable. Victoria didn’t stand a chance.