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didn’t pay attention anyway.
    “Momma, can I go back and play now?” Joey tugged on the hem of her shirt until she was looking down at her again.
    “Yeah, sweetie.” Alice set the card on the table, took one more look at the flowers, and sighed. What was she doing? Was she actually contemplating calling him, or would she just ignore the olive branch he was handing her, and hope that she could forget about Luke Landon and everything that came with being his mate? Did she also want to hope that he did the same?
    Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked out back to spend a little time with Joey. There was always tomorrow, or the next day, or the next, to decide how she was going to proceed. A relationship was not what she wanted, but that didn’t mean a friendship had to be out of the question, right? But could she actually just be friends with the male that was her mate, or the better question was, could he? She just hoped that whatever decision she came to would be the best one for her and Joey, and that Luke would understand.
     

Chapter Four

 
    It had been two days since Luke had sent her flowers, but they were still flourishing, still looking beautiful and reminding her that life wasn’t all ugly, hurtful things, and that there were people out there who were sincere in their actions. Companionship sounded nice, and there had been many times when she had reached for her phone, dialed his number, but hung up before she punched in that last digit. It felt juvenile to her, but as easy as it seemed to call him, she honestly didn’t know what to say. Now, the sun had set, Joey was tucked in bed, and she was sitting all alone at her kitchen table with the flowers staring at her, like a beautiful, frightening reminder of what she was too afraid to even try. Her cell sat in front of her, the screen blank, but her fingers itching to dial. Was this desperate need inside of her only because they were mates, or was it because she was so empty and damaged that the first person to show her any kind of affection was the one she wanted so badly? She was confused, lonely, and scared, but she was also curious about Luke, and if she told him she only wanted a friendship, at the most, would that be enough for him?
    She reached for her phone, and not giving herself a moment to let her fear of the unknown consume her, dialed his number . Punching in that last digit, she exhaled roughly and brought the phone to her ear. It was only about seven in the evening, but on the fifth ring she assumed he either wasn’t home or not answering. She was just about to hang up, a mix of disappointment and relief waging war inside of her, but before she could disconnect Luke answered.
    “Hello?” His voice was deep and slightly out of breath, and for just a moment she couldn’t find her voice. “Alice?” Her pulse quickened when he said her name, and then confusion set in.
    “Um, yes, but how did you know?” She closed her eyes at how stupid she sounded. He chuckled, and her face heated. Thank God he couldn’t see her humiliation, because it clicked in her head how he knew it was her, but he answered her question regardless.
    “Caller ID, Alice.” He chuckled again , and the sound of water running came through the receiver. “You called.” He sounded a bit surprised, but honestly she was surprised that she had called, too. “I was starting to think you weren’t going to and I’d have to send you another few dozen flowers.” There was a teasing note in his voice, and she couldn’t help but relax slightly.
    “Yeah, well, I wasn’t sure if I would.” A moment of silence passed before she continued. “The flowers are beautiful . Thank you very much for them, and Joey thanks you, too, but you didn’t owe me an apology.” Now it was his turn to stay silent for a moment. He exhaled, but it wasn’t one because he was exasperated with her answer, but rather a sigh of … relief? 
    “Alice, I didn’t mean to come off like you