Chapter 19

A week before the grand opening of BeLeaf in Wonder, Eva asked me to get her some coffee from downstairs and not to come back until she was ready.Intrigue piqued, but she wouldn't tell me what she was up to.

Eva had a good eye, so I left my office trusting she'd transform it into something better, something more welcoming.

I stood in the café shop and looked outside at Etched Street. Groups of college students wearing T-shirts from Bentley, Boston College, Northeastern, Mass. College of Art and Design and others strode by, making their way to the shops across the street. This street had changed from when I first purchased this building that needed a major update. But now it was one of the most distinguished properties in Brookline. Its transformation mirrored the growth in me as well.

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the message.

Eva: I'm ready for you! ??

I grinned at her text, feeling like an idiot for loving something so simple. That statement wasn't meant to be sexual, but my mind went there anyway.

With coffee in hand, I made my way back to my office. Eva had moved in with me and changed the energy within the apartment. The air was sweeter; the vibe was gentler. I didn't realize how lonely I was until her. Love radiated throughout our home now. Even the plants seemed happy.

Pots of plants adorned every room, adding an extra layer of home that I hadn't experienced.

Eva stood outside my office, beaming and stopping me from entering.

"Here's your coffee." I offered it to her and looked at the closed door. "What did you do in my office?"

"I turned it pink." Laughter flickered in her eyes as she sipped her coffee.

"You did not." Half-believing it, I cupped her face and kissed her.

"Would you still love me if I did?"

"Yes." I tried to envision my office in shades of pink and cringed. "But you'll have to pay for the pain in my eyes." I pulled her close, giving her ass a good squeeze.

She laughed and opened the door for me. "Welcome to your new office!"

A series of plants in a variety of colored pots coveredmy conference table. Some pots had abstract faces on them. Some vases were in the shape of men's torsos. One unique vase depicted an arm holding up a small potted plant. A few of them had leather ribbons and metal wire accents. These portrayed a masculine series of plants I preferred in my office. A wooden board with the burned words Fine SpeciMens, described the collection.

She placed her coffee on my desk and walked over to me."What do you think?"

I slung an arm around her shoulders. "It's incredible. I'm happy you didn't turn my office pink." I picked up a gray vase with a smiley face. The small aloe gave it a spiky-haired appearance. "This is your new collection for the shop?"

She wrapped one arm around my waist. "Yes. You inspired this collection. You're a fine specimen—the perfect example of what a man should be."

My heart swelled at her statement.

"Thank you." I kissed her. "You're right, it's a fine collection indeed."

She rolled her eyes but smiled. "Women can buy these plants for their men. Or men can pick them up for their loved ones. These are gifts that keep growing and growing."

"Just like our love."

She placed a gentle hand on my cheek. "Like plants, our life will flourish forever and ever as long as we feed it with love."

Eva may be a lot younger than me, but she possessed wisdom that taught a man like me how to love. I couldn't wait to see what else she had to teach me.