Page 87 of Perfect Rhythm

“Sounds like someone got something special,” Nani said.

“Yeah. Eli sent me some flowers.” I put my phone on speaker, then pulled the card from the bouquet.

Hey, beautiful. I just want you to know that I truly do respect your boundaries, and I hope these brighten your day. I miss you, and I hope to hear from you soon. –Shade

The grin that I was suppressing quickly spread across my face, and suddenly I felt my heart melt and my body tingle.

“Oh, wow, must not be from Eli.”

“Huh?”

“The way you just cooed, I could hear that smile beaming through the phone.”

I slammed my hand against my mouth as I giggled. “You heard that?”

“Sure did. Now, who is it you’ve forgotten to tell me about that’s out here sending you flowers?”

My mouth opened, then I slammed it shut.

Nope, I can’t tell her about Shade. There’s no point. It’s not even like that.

“It’s just a friend, Nani.”

“It doesn’t sound like just a friend. It sounds like the other reason you weren’t excited about being proposed to last night.”

She wasn’t wrong. But I wasn’t telling her that either.

“It’s not like that. I promise.”

“Mmhmm. I’ll wait.”

“Wait on what?”

“Wait on you to tell me the truth. I’m sure there’s more to this story.”

“Trust me, there isn’t. Shade and I—” I squeezed my eyes shut, then scolded myself for letting his name slip.

“Ah, okay. So his name is Shade, huh?” She paused. “Wait a minute, is it that young man that you work for? The one you were just dancing with?”

Horror filled my body. Please tell me she hadn’t seen that video.

“Dancing with? When?”

“At the concerts. Isn’t that the singer you mentioned?”

Relief washed over me, thankful that she was just repeating what I’d told her and not what she’d seen. “Oh, yeah.”

“So, does he sendallof his employees flowers? Or just the ones he really likes?”

I giggled. “I don’t know, Nani. He probably sent them to us all,” I lied. “You know, as a way to thank us for a job well done while on the road.”

“Yeah, okay.” She chuckled. “I’m sure we’ll find our way back to this topic soon.”

“We won’t,” I spat. There was a heavy knock on the door, which made me nervous. “I’m going to let you go, Nani. You have a good day, okay?”

“You do the same, baby. I love you.”

“I love you too.”