Chapter 42: In Love

Laurel returned to her office with a deep sigh. The roses Adolph had given her the day before had wilted a bit. Her heart felt a bit wilted, worn down by time and realizations. She sighed and replaced the wilted roses with the new bouquet.

How long would it take for these roses to wilt?

“Ow!”

She hissed and put her bleeding finger into her mouth before her blood could drip everywhere.

She hadn’t realized the thorns hadn’t been removed from the roses. She rounded the table looking for bandages when the door burst open. She jumped, startled, and looked at the intruder to see Basil in the doorway, glaring at her and baring his teeth.

He crossed the room quickly, raising his hands as if he was going to grab her neck. She stumbled back as he crossed the room. She’d never seen him so angry before.

“How dare you!” He screeched. “How dare you use this room!”

“What?” Laurel frowned. His words didn’t make any sense. She kind of expected him to be upset about Delia, but he was talking abou