Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16678 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
“Ready to go?”
“Sure,” I agreed, even as my stomach knotted. Arden had distracted me with his impromptu purchase. Now we were leaving, and I didn’t know what to do next. Maybe it was best to end the date. We could exchange numbers. That way, I’d be able to ask him out after I’d concocted the perfect date. Yes, that was a better idea.
Before stepping up to the exit, I slipped on my heavy wool coat. It was time to leave the warm, moist air for bitter cold wind as winter fought to remind us it hadn’t loosened its grip on the city yet.
“Could you do me a favor?” Arden began as he settled his coat around his shoulders at the same time.
“What’s up?”
“Would you be willing to text me one of the selfies you took in front of the waterfall?”
I shot him a smirk. “You just want to get your number set up in my real phone.” I waved my actual phone at him while inwardly celebrating. This saved me from trying to figure out how to get his contact information off the phone my boss had purchased.
“It’s a two-birds-one-stone scenario,” he stated after giving me his phone number. “I get your adorable face for my phone, and I get your number so you can’t ghost me the second you walk out the door.”
With a snort, I bumped him with my shoulder even as I loaded a text with several selfies I’d taken. “Like I’d fucking do that.”
Gentle fingers grazed my cheek, and I looked up to find Arden smiling at me, both his light and dark eyes glittering in the conservatory’s glow. “No, you wouldn’t.”
“There. Sent. You’ll have to reply, so I know you got them,” I prodded.
Yes, Arden would reply, and I’d somehow use that to kickstart a new conversation that would lead to a date invitation. This was going to work.
The sexy man moved to stand in front of me and picked up my left coat lapel. I watched as his big hands pinned something to it. When he moved away, my breath caught in my throat.
A silver butterfly.
He’d gotten me a silver butterfly.
The craftsmanship was exquisite. It was barely larger than a silver dollar, but it was so detailed, it appeared as if it were poised to flap its wings and flutter from my coat.
But more than the fact that it was gorgeous, it was a silver butterfly.
Ghost King Hua Cheng had silver butterflies. Always beautiful, but sometimes deadly protectors he used to guard the one person who was most precious to him.
If Arden was Hua Cheng, did that make me his precious Dianxia?
“Just something to remember this day by. And me,” Arden said, his voice growing low and rough at the end.
“I love it. You’re right. It’s perfect,” I whispered, trying not to let my emotions turn me into a complete sap. But it couldn’t be helped. Arden had known me for an hour, maybe two, and he’d just handed me the absolute perfect gift.
Catching my hand in his, Arden gave me a little tug, pulling me toward the cold.
We both seemed to forget about it when we stepped outside to find that it was snowing, though. Tiny flakes drifted from the dark-gray sky, blanketing the grass and bushes in white. It must have just started because all but the edges of the sidewalks were clear of the snow.
“Wow. I forgot they were calling for a chance of snow today,” I laughed.
“Well, this throws a wrench into my wicked schemes,” Arden huffed.
My heart skipped around in my chest while I tried to keep my expression bland. “And what wicked schemes were those?”
Arden tightened his grip on my hand as we strolled past the conservatory that glowed against the deepening shadows. I huddled close just in case the wind stirred again. “I was going to see if you were interested in grabbing a somewhat early dinner with me.” He paused and tossed a glare at the heavens. “But with potential for the roads to turn bad, I don’t feel good about keeping you out.”
“Mmm…” I hummed. “Good point. Where do you live?”
“Hyde Park.”
I made a scoffing noise in the back of my throat. “Mr. Freelance Graphic Designer is doing very well for himself,” I teased. Hyde Park was a nice, older neighborhood.
Arden snorted and tapped the tip of my nose. “It’s a small, old house, but yes, I do just fine.”
“Well, your house is closer than my place.” I turned and grabbed the front of his coat, gathering it close to protect him from the biting cold as we stood near the trunks of our respective cars. “I know a great pizza and grinders restaurant between here and Hyde Park—”
“Are you talking Germantown?” Arden’s eyes lit up like I’d just told him Santa and the Easter Bunny were going to visit him tonight.