The tatt, Reba, had already sold put Vespera''s location in under a minite ale didn''t even both


    She was this close to joining Calvert nciat


    Back at the restaniant, Vespera had just tiivisted entering when Yaumtaanivel


    Avalways, she was radiant -sweet, sexy, and perfecthe put together, downto everyst strand of hair. The scrit blooming panden. It hit the senses all at once.


    belumight with her? it was like a walk themgls a


    The two of them shutted while eating.


    One second, they weir senously discussing jewelry. The nest, Yannine abuspoly shitted gear at Did you look Hingh the pictures? Which


    Vespera choked, coughing hand


    "Yan, would it kill you to have some kind of transition?" she thought.


    Yasmine burst outughing "Oh,e on, don''t be shy. Wehbe going to see them in personter anyway just ry, will you? You never been entside betore


    Vespera grabbed her water and took a deep breath "Okay. Tutve!"


    "It''s always like this the first time you''ll get used to it. Trust me, buy a few more, and you wo


    "Buy a few more" Aren''t they all the same?


    Don''t you ever get tired of using the same old models?"


    (you won''t even blink"


    Yeah, she had no idea.


    This was uncharted territory on the Vespera knowledge map


    Yasmine looked at Vespera-usually soposed, always knowing exactly how to react in any situation-now sitting there lookingpletely dazed and clueless Honestly? It was kind of cute


    Tsk. No wonder men love the "dumb beauty type. All that gorgeous confusion, it makes people want to hist eat you up. If you gave Dominic that look, I swear, hebhard in two seconds."


    Vespera''s brain exploded


    What is wrong with her earstely?


    She calmly reached for her food, pretending nothing had been said, wearing the expression of someone who''d heard absolutely nothing scandalous,


    If she didn''t acknowledge the crazy, maybe the crazy would disappear.


    After dinner, they wandered through the shops in the mall below the restaurant, picking up a few things-clothes, shoes, small indulgences.


    Then, finally, Yasmine led her to the night''s real destination. It wasn''t tar, less than ten minutes by car..


    The shop was tucked away behind a busymercial strip, hidden down a quiet little alley in the heart of the city. At the end of thene stood a small, elegant garden townhouse


    The sign read-Mystic Hose


    The storefront was lined with roses of every color, and the soft blush pink glow from the floor-to-celling windows gave the ce a dreamy, romantic feel.


    Even before stepping inside, the air was already thick with the scent of roses. Anyone passing by would''ve assumed it was a luxury spa


    But now that Vespera kurw what they really sold inside, all she could see was that barely-there blush wallpaper, patterned with blooming roses-and her face instantly started heating up


    She opened the car door and stepped out


    "Come on," Yasmine said, linking arms with her and gently dragging Vespera''s still-legged selt toward the entrance.


    Apparently, when a person felt like they were doing something shady, their body just acted guilty.


    Vespera couldn''t help ncing around nervously as it afraid someone she might catch her in the act.


    Not that there was anyone around. The street was nearly empty


    Just after they stepped inside, a car rolled slowly up to the cub and parked.


    Inside, Dominic sat with his arm crossed, watching the storefront.


    He rolled down the window, eyes narrowing as he stared at the building. "Gerard,


    what kind of shop do you think this is?" he asked.


    Up front in the driver''s seat, Gerard replied, “Looks like a spa. Or maybe a wellness boutique."


    Domised agali. "Anything else?”


    Gesand took a longer look. "Could be a dessert ce? I mean, you can sell the rose scent from here. Maybe it''s one of those fancy spots that sells tose pastries or something "


    Rose pastries? She suck off for a snark?


    Gerard perked up. "Mr. Held, want me to go in


    I run into Vespera, I''ll just say I came because I lieand the ce was popr,


    a secerat "Let''s wait and see first.


    ? detien els a dessert ce. What else could it be?" he thought


    Speaking of desserts, now he was kind of hungry.


    skipped inner just to stalk Vespera How does Mr. Reid not realize this is


    borderline stalker behavior?" he muttered to hi Besides, Vespera wasn''t even doing anything sketchy. She was just having dinner with a friend, walking around, and-what? Buying a ros About 30 minutester, Vespera and Yasmine finally came out. Both of them were holding bags.