When Rose looked over at me, she smiled. “It’s so cute to see you so shy,” she said. “You’re usually so self–assured.”


    “If Alexander were to see you right now and hear what we were discussing, that man would explode from his desire for you,” Ava said with a knowing grin.


    *Olivia*


    The girls stopped teasing me, and we finished our dinner talking about the early morning meeting that Ava had to attend. She was a little nervous because this was a very important client for her firm. But Rose and I assured her that she would do well since she was always prepared. After a delicious desert of Key Lime Pie, Ava’s cheeks were pink, but she definitely seemed more sure of herself about the meeting.


    Despite Rose and mine protests, Ava paid for our meal, and then she left because she had to be up early.


    The night was still young so Rose and I went shopping. She convinced me to go to basically every store that was on the same block as the restaurant. I even splurged on a designer handbag that was on clearance. Usually, I didn’t treat myself, but this purse was too perfect not to pass up. The moment I walked into the store, I knew that I had to have it.


    It was ck and sleek with a gold zipper. The handbag was simple, with only a few gold beads on the side as a design, but it was perfect for me. And it was big enough that I could use it as a work bag.


    When the sun was fully down and the city lights began to pop up, my feet began to hurt, and I’d spent way more money than I should have.


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    But I now had a few new work dresses, a jean skirt, and a low–cut ck top that Rose assured me I looked very sexy in.


    “I think I need to call it a night,” I told Rose as we carried our shopping bags down the sidewalk. We were headed back in the direction of the seafood restaurant. “I don’t think my feet or credit card can handle any more shopping.”


    “Oh, please,” Rose begged. “Just one more store. It’s right up here on the corner. It’s the one I’ve been wanting to take you to all night!”


    Suspicion flowed through me at her innocent expression. It seemed like she was trying too hard to convince me to go to this store. But I allowed her to drag me along and didn’tin when I saw an unassuming storefront. The name ‘Evening Bloom‘ was over the front door written in cursive and light pink letters. There were two light pink lilies on the sign, too.


    “Is this a store to buy nts?” I asked. “Because I’ve killed every nt that I’ve ever owned.”


    A strangledugh burst out of Rose’s lips. “No…” she said.


    “Why does it smell like flowers, then?” I asked as we got closer to the


    store.


    “You’ll see,” my friend said and winked.


    Then, when we walked in the store, my eyes widened, and my cheeks grew red.


    I should have known what products this store would sell after the pictures Rose sent me today and the conversation at dinner.


    The store was full of vibrators and other sex toys.


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    *Author*


    Olivia’s hands were shaking when she trailed after Rose through the store. She put them behind her back so that no one would notice. When the store’s owner saw the two young women, she smiled and weed them in, asking if they needed any help.


    While the girls were browsing through the sex shop, Gai pulled up her car to the sidewalk outside of the store. Alexander was beside her in the passenger seat.


    “What store is this? Is Olivia here to buy nts?” Alexander asked as he squinted, studying the sign of Evening Bloom.


    Gai shrugged and tapped her finger against her chin. “My best guess is a nail salon or a beauty parlor. A lot of those ces are flower- themed.” She rolled down her window and sniffed the air. “It smells like flowers. Maybe it’s a perfume