Are You Jealous?

Sora

I am not sure what persuasion tactics Kade used to get me to come to Butterfly Garden, but they worked perfectly in his favour.

“I don’t want to be here,” I say with a frown, but Kade only flashes me a cheeky grin. His hair is ruffled like he just got out of bed and I bite my lip to stop the thoughts running wild in my head.

I love Cameron, but my attraction to Kade is wildly unmistakable.

One-night stand my ass.

“I didn’t say this earlier, but I’m proud you stood up to Cameron. He’s used to always getting his way.” Kade’s hot breath fans against my neck as he leads us through the entrance.

I quirk a brow at him, confused by the unexpected compliment.

“I didn’t stand up for myself, I only said things as they were,” I point out.

He raises his hands in mock surrender, leaving my waist strangely cold without the warmth of his touch.

Fuckity fuck.

“My bad. I just assumed you were too in love with him to call him out on his bullshit.” He smiles, pulling back a curtain. “We’re here.”

I look at him questioningly but step through anyway, and my mouth nearly drops to the floor.

Beautiful is a freaking understatement.

It feels like I’ve stepped straight into a fairytale. Butterflies fill the air, flowers bloom in every direction and the entire place bursts with colour.

It’s heavenly.

“You love it?”

I nod ecstatically. “God, who wouldn’t?”

I’ve lived in Oregon all my life and not once did I know this place existed. Sandy was right. I’m way too young to be buried in books all the time. I need an actual social life.

I’m still lost in bliss and awe when a shrill voice cuts through my thoughts.

“Oh, Sora, you came with—”

I fail miserably in my quest to resist rolling my eyes when Kade steps in front of me.

“I thought it’d be a lovely idea to formally meet my soon-to-be sister-in-law.”

Daisy’s grin widens at the words and once again I fight the urge to roll my eyes.

Instead, I notice Cameron isn’t here with her, which is weird. He’s usually attached to Daisy’s hip. If she needed to use the bathroom, Cam would probably volunteer to stand guard outside like an overprotective bodyguard.

I guess there isn’t much difference between a man in love and a clingy bodyguard.

Both are obligated to worry about the safety of their—

I’m spiraling again.

I reel myself back just in time to hear:

“…this is for yesterday. We shouldn’t have ruined your engagement party like that.” Kade says, handing Daisy a bouquet of yellow daisies.

What.

The.

Fuck.

What were these men seeing in Daisy?

Flowers? Seriously?

I’m his girlfriend and I didn’t even get a simple ‘you look pretty,’ yet Daisy gets flowers?

“You’re so sweet, Kade.” Daisy shrieks, trailing her fingers along his arm.

My blood boils so fast I nearly see red.

“Are you jealous, Shadow?” Kade whispers slowly.

I ignore him. This wasn’t jealousy, I just hated her. I pull Kade's hand away from her reach, flashing Daisy my brightest smile.

"Actually, I picked the flowers."

Kade chuckles beside me, the sound low and amused.

"Called it."

Daisy's smile wavers for the briefest second before settling back into place.

"Thank you, Sora. Cam's waiting for us already."

She spins on her heels, leading us deeper into the garden.

"What’s going through that pretty head of yours?" Kade asks, his arm finding its way back around my waist.

Ordinarily, the gesture would have sent butterflies rioting in my stomach. Right now, however, I feel irrationally irritated by it.

Still, I play along.

I am not letting him win this round.

"Just enjoying the scenery, babe," I reply sweetly, spitting the nickname like acid.

Kade growls softly against my ear, the sound sending a shiver racing down my spine.

Fuck me.

"Sora, I'm surprised you were able to get in," Daisy chimes in, conveniently interrupting whatever strange spell Kade had cast over me.

This bitch.

I know that was intentional.

Butterfly Garden has a strict dress code. Pretty sundresses only.

I've never owned a sundress in my entire life until now.

Kade, annoyingly enough, had been sweet enough to buy an entire collection for me. After spending twenty minutes arguing with myself in front of the mirror, I eventually settled on a lemon-colored strapless dress.

The gown hugged my frame perfectly, accentuating curves I hadn't even realized I possessed.

Judging by the amount of times I'd caught Kade staring at me since we arrived, he'd noticed them too. The pervert.

Why'd she invite me over if all she wanted to do was—

The answer hits me so suddenly I almost stop walking.

Of course.

The invitation had never been about making peace, that much I was aware of. It was her way of getting back at me, humiliating me and then making it look like I stood Cameron up.

Real smooth, Daisy.

"Kade knew about the rule and bought me this dress today."

Daisy glances over her shoulder, her gaze sweeping over me from head to toe before she faces forward again.

"That's a limited edition piece. It doesn't officially come out until next year."

I blink.

What?

Slowly, I turn to look at Kade.

“Only the best for you, Shadow.” He says, offering me his most innocent smile and from the little I know about Kade, that smile means he’s absolutely going to hold this over my head.

Daisy leads us to a stairwell but instead of going up, she comes to an abrupt stop.

“I need to use the bathroom. The lounge is the first door to your right, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

She hurries off in the opposite direction, leaving Kade and me standing alone.

The second she disappears from sight, I shrug off Kade's arm and take a deliberate step away from him.

“Until you wash your hands, don’t touch me.”

His brows knit together.

“Why?”

“You were holding her, that's why.”

Kade leans against the wall, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

“You never answered my question, Shadow. Are you jealous?”

I roll my eyes so hard they nearly get stuck.

“No. I just don't like the way you smell.”

“She didn't even hug me, Shadow.”

“She. Touched. You.” I point accusingly at him. “That's enough for her scent to get all over you. And flowers? Really?”

A laugh escapes me, though there isn't anything remotely funny about this situation.

“You dragged me all the way here for what exactly? To apologize on my behalf and then hand her flowers?”

Kade opens his mouth but I don't let him speak.

“Actually, I'm not surprised. It's a Black men thing.”

I brush past him and head up the stairs, leaving Kade standing there in stunned silence.

Honestly, it serves him right. Maybe a few minutes away from him would cool whatever irrational anger had taken over my body.

I get to the top of the stairs and I'm met with two doors to the right.

Shit.

She didn't mention which one.

I push open the first door and the second I step inside, my entire body goes rigid.

Roses arranged in tall crystal vases, woven around pillars and scattered across tables in ridiculous heart-shaped centerpieces. The sweet scent hits me all at once and panic claws its way up my throat.

No.

No no no.

I stumble backward, reaching for the door handle but my fingers fumble uselessly against the metal. My lungs burn as I suck in a breath, only for my airway to tighten painfully.

Fuck.

Not now.

I force myself to stay calm, to breathe through it like my doctor taught me, but each breath comes out shallower than the last. My vision blurs at the edges and I can already feel the familiar itching spreading beneath my skin.

"Kade?" I call out, but my voice comes out weak and strained.

No answer.

I try again, louder this time, but the words dissolve into a coughing fit.

The room spins.

My chest constricts so tightly it feels like someone wrapped chains around my lungs and pulled. I stagger forward, desperate to get out, desperate for air, but my knees buckle beneath me.

The last thing I see before darkness swallows me whole is the sea of roses blurring together into one giant splash of red.