Be Your Everything [All for Love] (BookStrand Publishing Romance) by Peri Elizabeth Scott Page B

thicker.
    Heather refused an evening with her friend, telling her she appreciated the idea of support, but wanted to pull herself together and make a plan to deal with Matthew the next day. In truth she wanted to lick her wounds in private. And Moesha had her book club, something her friend never missed.

Chapter Five
     
    Manny took a break over the noon hour to call in the order for more flowers, remembering again to send them to Heather’s home. He didn’t want to risk drawing Grayson’s attention to her, put her in the position of covering up their connection. He knew the ones he sent Monday would still be blooming, and he would see Heather tomorrow, but he had to send more. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. He and Bryce stretched their legs, walking around the block before reentering the busy station. Manny felt eyes on him in that moment and scanned the room, full of men, women, and children, milling around like cattle, but didn’t see anyone he knew. He had more pressing matters on his mind, separate from the investigation. The text he sent Heather after choosing more roses, this time in peach, telling her he was working and missed her, went unanswered for what felt like an interminable time, and he was forced to return to the war room.
    His cell signalled a text nearly an hour later. A brief Me, too filled the tiny screen, and he was puzzled at the paucity of the response. Heather was nothing if not verbose in a cute, adorable way. Cute. Adorable. He was such a goner. But perhaps she was in with Grayson or otherwise occupied and unable to respond in her usual manner. He set it aside and concentrated.
    By midevening there was nothing left to do, nothing left to consider. Empty coffee cups and take-out food containers littered the conference table. Something might have escaped their notice and they resolved to review it the next day, first thing in the morning, then run it past McAllister’s boss, as well as Manny and Bryce’s. Manny’s boss had given them pretty much carte blanche but it didn’t hurt to keep him in the know, although Manny’s relationship with a certain Heather Graham hadn’t made it into his last in-person report. Bryce would meet with the accountants tomorrow afternoon, and Manny would join them once he did his termination interview with Grayson, confirming with the man his work was done. Manny didn’t want to risk tipping anyone’s hand by veering from the expected routine. And he’d get to see Heather before the shit hit the fan. Bonus.
    “Dinner?” Bryce couldn’t look as tired as Manny felt. Two flights in three days were a killer on top of the intense planning his brain had been subjected to since Tuesday. He debated.
    “Sure.” He could use his friend’s company, even if he didn’t talk about Heather, although he might. Thankfully, McAllister declined, citing the urge to see his kids for once before they were all in bed. Arranging to meet the following day at nine, they took their leave.
     
    * * * *
     
    “You’re looking at that phone like it’s your worst enemy.” Bryce’s dry tone drew Manny’s eyes away from the offending silent object.
    “I texted Heather and she hasn’t responded. Not even about the flowers and she must have received them by now.”
    “Some women see flowers as a kiss off.”
    Shit. He hadn’t thought of that. Surely Heather didn’t think… he couldn’t think, at least not straight. He punched in a text asking if she was ok, if she liked the peach roses, saying that if he couldn’t be with her he wanted her to have the reminder. Manny’s romantic effort surprised even the charmer in him. Never before had he reached out to a woman in this way.
    His cell chimed. Heather. Sorry! I’m good. Life interfered but on top of it. Roses beautiful and most appreciated. Manny typed rapidly, indicating his pleasure to send them and that he was glad she was okay. He debated calling her to ask about the life interfering comment, but didn’t trust