“The tip’s already taken care of. He said not to let you worry about that.” Then the guy turned and walked down the hall.

She pushed the door closed with her foot, holding the arrangement with both hands and breathing in the sweet fragrance. Baby’s breath and lacy greenery accented the flowers, all standing in a stunning crystal vase.

She carried it to the dining room table and pulled open the clear plastic. The flowers were exquisite, the tight red blossoms just beginning to open. She glanced around for a card but couldn’t find one.

A knock sounded at the door again. Had the delivery guy forgotten something? She walked to the door and opened it. Then her eyes widened at the sight of another delivery man with another vase of roses.

“There must be some mistake,” she said. “I already received some roses.”

The guy smiled. “No mistake, ma’am.”

She took the new vase of flowers and set it on the table beside the first one. Then there was another knock at the door. She opened it to the sight of yet another delivery man with flowers.

“Oh my God.” But she took them and set them on the coffee table.

At the next knock she was no longer surprised. She took the next vase and put them in her bedroom on the dresser.

There were several more deliveries, until she had ten vases of flowers scattered around her small apartment. The place was filled with the delightful fragrance of the roses.

As she carried the latest vase to the kitchen, she realized this one had a card. She plucked the small pink envelope from the plastic holder, then opened it with a smile.

But as soon as she saw the inside of the card, her breath caught. The name at the bottom wasn’t Adam’s scrawled signature. The writing was bold and tightly controlled. And read, Dare.

She sank into the chair. The note said:

You are as beautiful as these flowers and far more precious. I never should have let you go.

Shock vaulted through her. Dare had changed his mind?

She stomped down her rising hope, not wanting to convince herself it was true only to find that he only meant these flowers as an apology for hurting her, or he was just trying to cheer her up because he felt guilty for ditching her.

Another knock sounded on her door. She walked to the entrance.

“Not more flowers,” she said as she opened the door. Then her heart leaped.

Dare stood in the hallway. His blue-and-white-striped shirt and lean jeans showcased his powerful frame and the musky scent of his cologne released unsettling memories of his body close to her in more intimate situations.

“May I come in?” His deep, sexy voice tugged at her emotions.

She wanted to hear her name on his lips. To have him whisper it in her ear, then nuzzle her neck.