Elias' POV

Ever since I invested some of the money from my Rent a Partner gig with Clark into advertising online and around town, business has been booming again for the shop.

In between servicing walk-ins, I've been mostly behind the counter this week working on custom bouquets for our online orders. My hands are tired and cramping, but I've also never been happier to have actual work to do around here again.

On the downside, I still felt like shit when my mother hyped me up the other day, calling me all kinds of miracle workers and whatnot. I can't imagine how she'd look at me if only she knew the truth. That the money I earned to keep us afloat came from a billionaire that I had to spend a week playing pretend boyfriends with.

I truly haven't felt the ick about my situationship with Clark up until that moment.

One year, I tell myself for the umpteenth time today. We keep playing pretend for one year, and then it all ends for good.

It's weird, though. No matter how many times I tell myself that, I don't necessarily feel any better afterward.

The bell above the door chimes as I tie off the bouquet with a sleek satin ribbon, Kahlan and Remy breezing through the door to pick up their order for Unchained Hearts. They're doing another fundraiser, this time aimed at raising money for the organization's newest initiative—a mentorship program for the kids.

"Perfect timing." I greet them with a wide smile. "You guys' order is almost ready. Ma's in the back putting the finishing touches on it as we speak."

"Thanks, El. We really appreciate you guys doing this for us at the last minute," Remy says.

"Some of the kids have been asking about you." Kahlan returns my smile, then pauses as he stops at the counter. "You know, if you and Clark aren't busy on the 20th of this month, you should stop by the event."

A pang of guilt hits me. I've been so wrapped up in my own life lately that I haven't been able to volunteer at Unchained Hearts as much as I'd like. But...maybe it's something Clark and I can do together! When I get another break, I should ask him if he'd be interested.

"I'm such an asshole, man. Please send my apologies to the kids," I say. "I'm really sorry I haven't been around as much. But I'll definitely talk to Clark about coming to the event. We'd love to be there to show our support."

"Cool, cool." Kahlan nods. "I'm gonna head back and say hi to Mama. Catch up with you later?"

"Yup. See you back at home." I set the finished bouquet aside and immediately start work on another one. "Hey, Remy. Been a while since we last saw each other. You good?"

"Not as good as you, apparently." He leans against the counter, a playful smirk on his lips while running a hand through his strawberry blonde hair. "I think it's brave of you to try the dating thing again. I remember the last one didn't end so hot." I can tell he's teasing, but there's also a note of curiosity beneath it. "So, who's the new guy? Clark, you said?"

"Yeah, we met...through a mutual friend. I've been over the dating apps." I snip a stem to the perfect length, then quickly change the subject. Better not to run my mouth when Clark is the subject. "Kahlan mentioned the big donation you guys got. Must be a relief, huh?"

"Yeah, man, it's been a game-changer for us. Feels like things are finally looking up again. Can't say the same for my love life, though," he adds with a wry laugh. "Haven't really had the mental energy to jump back into the dating pool after...he-who-shall-not-be-named."

He's talking about his ex-fiancé, Vincent, who he caught cheating on him three months before their wedding. The aftermath was rough as hell.

I only know Remy through Kahlan, but after the shit went down with Vincent, Kahlan had said that Remy had sunk back into his college playboy ways, trying to fuck, drink, and party his heartbreak away. Not exactly the best method, but we all understood.

One night, a few weeks after he and I were introduced to each other, we ended up making out in the pool at someone's party. Kahlan found us and pulled us apart before anything else could happen.

Since then, all three of us have written that night off as a drunk mistake, something Remy and I pretend never happened.

"Only you know what you want and what's best for you," I remind him gently, briefly glancing up from the bouquet. "Love will come to you when you're ready for it, so you should just continue to take it easy until you feel like you're ready to put yourself out there again."

"Damn, El. You always say the right things." He smiles, giving me a look I can't quite decipher. "Clark is a lucky guy. I hope he knows that."

"Thanks." The butterflies in my stomach stir to life at the mention of his name, and I can't help but smile. "I think he does."

It's then that a new customer enters the shop, the bell above the door chiming again.

"Well, I'll let you get back to it." Remy heads to the back with Kahlan, leaving me to do my job without an audience.

"Welcome to Flowers by Elodie!" I greet cheerfully, and when I look up, I can't help but do a double take.

This customer is almost the spitting image of Clark, albeit older and a few inches shorter, with piercing blue eyes instead of greenish brown. He doesn't acknowledge my greeting, instead surveying the shop with a discerning look while dressed in a suit that screams money and power.

I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about him that sets my nerves on edge. And not in a good way.

"My name is Elias." Putting on my best customer service smile, I step out from behind the counter to approach him. "Is there anything in particular that you're looking for today?"

"Not really," he replies, tone casual, but his stance remains sharp and alert, almost like he's waiting for something to happen. "I'm just browsing for now. Thanks."

I nod and give him space to look around.

He keeps his hands in his pockets the whole time while scanning the various floral arrangements, his blank expression never shifting. I follow him at a distance in case he asks a question, and I'm halfway tempted to pull out my phone to Google if Clark has any relatives.

From what I can remember from all our talks, he's only ever mentioned his grandparents. No siblings. But maybe the man is a cousin or something? Has to be. They look too much alike to not be related in some way.

After a few minutes, the man spins around wearing the kind of smile that could make a child burst into tears.

"Hold on. You actually do look a little familiar," he says. "Have we met somewhere before? At a party maybe?"

"No. I'd definitely remember meeting someone like you," I answer, crossing my arms over my chest. "What makes you ask? Do I look like someone you've met before?"

"I got it!" He snaps his fingers, a look of realization crossing his face. "I've seen your pretty face on the blogs. You're dating Clark Ashford, aren't you?"

Can't exactly lie my way out of this now.

"Yes, I am." His directness trips me up a bit, but I maintain the state of looking unbothered despite my guard shooting up. "And I'm sorry, but who are you?"

"Someone in the business who's very close to Clark. So, how long have you two been dating?"

I blink, confused. "Excuse me?"

"I'm just curious what's so different about you. Clark rarely goes public with his toys."

A toy? Okay, now I'm getting pissed off because who the hell does this pendejo think he is and why does he seem so fucking interested in my relationship with Clark?

"Respectfully, I don't see how that's any of your business." I feel my patience waning fast, a bit of an edge creeping into my voice. "You claim to know Clark, but you don't know a damn thing about me. Not only that, but you're grilling me without having given me your name. So unless you plan on making a purchase today, I'm going to have to ask that you leave. Now."

The man's eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think he's going to pull a Karen and try to argue with me. But then he smiles again, a sudden shift in his demeanor that throws me for a loop.

"I think we're getting off on the wrong foot," he says, extending his hand. "My name is Christian. Christian Ashford. I'm Clark's older brother."

I hesitate before shaking his hand, my mind spiraling once again. So Clark has an older brother? Why the hell didn't this prick just say all this from the beginning?

"I just got back in town not too long ago," Christian continues, "and I heard my little brother got snatched off the market. It made me curious."

"Which is why you came here to...what, snoop?" I ask bluntly, not buying his explanation. "Because you weren't very subtle about it."

"I didn't come here to snoop," he says. "I came here to give you some advice."

It takes everything in me to not roll my eyes. "Advice about what?"

Christian takes a step forward, an act of intimidation that doesn't make me budge. The look in his eyes darkens as he lowers his voice, his smile turning menacing.

"The Ashford family has always looked after its own. We're leery of outsiders, so I hope you know what you're getting yourself into by fucking my brother."

The bastard turns right around and leaves—without buying shit—before I can get the last word in.

"Motherfucker," I mutter under my breath while making my way back to the front of the shop. "Rich people are weird as fuck, I swear."

Slightly shaken, but more angry than scared, I try to refocus on the bouquet in front of me. Then my phone rings—it's Clark. I freeze for a split second, taking a moment to calm myself down before answering the call.

"Hey, you."

"Hey, yourself," he replies, and I can almost hear the smile in his voice. "I'm just reaching out to confirm we're still on for our date this weekend. The cooking class?"

"Yeah! I'm still down," I confirm, forcing enthusiasm into each word. "I'm really looking forward to it."

"Me too. Oh, and I wanted to give you a head's up."

"Oh, okay." Please don't say what I think you're going to say... "Heads up on what?"

"My brother, Christian, is back in town. Between my busy schedule and his, we've been trying to catch up with one another, so if I don't text or call you back right away, he's to blame."

Suddenly, the pieces start falling into place.

Christian's visit to the shop today, his probing ass questions about my relationship with Clark...the fucker was clearly investigating me to see if I'm worthy of dating his brother. But why, though? Is he just being overprotective, or is there something else I'm missing?

I bite my lip, debating whether to tell Clark about our rocky encounter.

"Elias? You still there?"

Fucking no, I can't tell him! He still has all this stuff going on with Ava and the leak. I can't dump more shit on his plate. I don't want to worry him, especially when I'm not even sure what Christian's intentions are.

"Y-yeah! I'm still here. Sorry for zoning out. I'm just...um, working on a bouquet for a client," I lie, completely distracted. "It's nice that you're back in touch with your brother. How long has it been since you last saw each other?"

As Clark fills me in on their relationship, I can't shake the unease that's settled in the pit of my stomach. Christian's warning still lingers in the back of my mind, making me wonder if I need to start looking over my shoulder when Clark and I are out parading our fake love around the city.

At the end of the day, though, it's not like I need the man's approval.

I can admit my feelings are a mess right now, and even if I don't want it to be temporary anymore, my contract with Clark expires in a year. So whatever the fuck Christian's game is, I refuse to let it mess with my money or ruin the temporary happiness I've found with his brother.