Chapter 8 For The Party

• At exactly five o’clock, as Giovanni had promised, a sleek black car pulled up outside Lily’s flower shop. She watched from the window, her heart thudding in her chest. She had half-expected him to forget, or perhaps to change his mind. But no, the car was here, right on time. She wiped her hands on her apron, trying to quell the nerves bubbling up inside her.
• Lily took a deep breath and stepped outside, the cool evening air brushing against her skin. The man standing by the car was one she had seen many times with Giovanni. He didn’t say a word as he opened the door for her, but she flashed him a polite smile anyway.
• “Thank you,” she murmured as she slid into the backseat.