The Biker Alpha Who Became My Second Chance Mate Chapter 84

Athena's POV

These questions swirled around in my head as I got ready for bed, but I still didn't have any answers.

The next morning, I woke up having almost forgotten about everything Tristan had said the night before.

Maybe it was because I'd gotten so used to him changing his mind about things, saying one thing and doing another. My heart had learned to protect itself by not getting too invested in his words.

I went through my normal morning routine, making coffee, checking my phone, getting dressed for work.

Everything felt ordinary and familiar, which was somehow comforting after the emotional intensity of the previous evening.

I was just finishing my breakfast when I heard a knock at my door. It was still early in the morning, too early for most visitors. Who could that be?

Did Tristan tell Orion about my racing? Was he here to give me an ear full about how dangerous it was?

I slowly moved to the door, expecting to see him there with an angry face.

But when I opened the door, I found a delivery man standing there with a beautiful bouquet of mixed flowers. The arrangement was stunning, full of colors that somehow managed to complement each other perfectly.

"Athena Slade?" he asked, checking his clipboard.

I nodded, still surprised by the unexpected delivery.

"I have a delivery for you. Can you sign here, please?" He handed me his electronic signature pad.

I signed where indicated and took the flowers, breathing in their sweet fragrance. Attached was a small white card that I opened eagerly.

"I hope your day is as beautiful as your smile. I know you're smiling right now, and I'm glad I get to be the first person to make you smile today. Have a wonderful day, girlfriend."

I couldn't help but smile as I read the note. Derek was so thoughtful, so consistently kind and romantic. The gesture warmed my heart in a way I hadn't expected.

As I arranged the flowers in a vase, I found myself thinking about what it would actually be like to date Derek seriously.

He'd treat me well, that much was certain. He was the kind of man who would proudly tell the whole world that he loved me, who would never be ashamed or confused about his feelings.

Tristan, on the other hand, was someone who might not always voice his feelings but would show them through his actions. He'd been protective of me for years, even when he was trying to push me away emotionally.

Derek would shower me with affection and romance. Tristan would protect me with his life and challenge me to be stronger.

Derek or Tristan? Let the best man win.

I finished getting ready for work and headed to the office, feeling lighter than I had in weeks. Maybe having options wasn't such a bad thing. Maybe it was time to stop waiting for someone to choose me and start choosing for myself.

When I arrived at the office, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen and saw Derek's name, which made me smile again.

"Good morning, sunshine. How was your night?" his cheerful voice came through the phone.

"I'm good. How are you?" I replied, settling into my desk chair.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry about last night, sorry I didn't call to check on you after everything that happened."

I shook my head even though he couldn't see me. "It's okay. You already made up for it. The flowers were beautiful. Thank you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Which flowers?"

I felt confused. "The flowers you sent this morning. The delivery man just brought them to my apartment."

"I didn't send you any flowers, Athena. What's going on? Do I need to step up my game?" he said with a laugh, but I could hear the curiosity in his voice.

My heart began to race as I realized my mistake. If Derek hadn't sent the flowers, then who had?

"Derek, I need to call you back," I said quickly, ending the call before he could respond.

I sat there staring at my phone, my mind racing. Who else would send me flowers with a note calling me 'girlfriend'? Who else would know that reading the note would make me smile?

Movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention, and I looked up to see Tristan standing near my window, looking directly at me. The moment our eyes met, my heart started beating so fast I was sure he could hear it from across the office.

He nodded at me in greeting, that same confident smile playing at his lips, before heading toward his office.

As he walked past, I heard his voice in my mind, completing the phrase from the note: "Have a wonderful day, girlfriend."

My mouth fell open slightly as the realization hit me. Tristan Hayes had sent me flowers.

Tristan, who had never shown romantic interest in anyone apart from Jess.

I thought he'd change this morning like he always did, thought he'd wake from his sleep and realize he'd spoken what he shouldn't have said to his sister.

He really was that serious about winning my heart.

I sat there staring after him, my coffee growing cold in my hands, trying to process this new development. He was really doing it. He was actually trying to court me, to prove that his feelings were real and lasting.

The question now was: how did I feel about it?

Part of me was thrilled that he was making such an effort. The teenage girl inside me who had pined after him for years was practically glowing with happiness.

But the adult woman I'd become was more cautious, more aware of how much he'd hurt me in the past.

I picked up my phone and called Derek back, knowing I owed him an explanation.

"Hey," he answered immediately. "Everything okay?"

"I'm sorry about hanging up on you. The flowers... they weren't from you. I think I know who sent them now."

"Ah," Derek said, and I could hear the understanding in his voice. "Someone is making his move, isn't he?"

"It seems that way."

"Well then, I guess I really do need to step up my game. Can't let whoever he is win without a fight, can I?"

Despite everything, I found myself smiling. "Derek, you don't have to..."

"Yes, I do, Athena. I care about you, and I'm not giving up that easily. May the best man win."

After I hung up, I sat back in my chair and looked toward Tristan's office. He was sitting at his desk, apparently focused on his work, but I had the distinct feeling he was very aware of my attention.

This was going to be interesting. For the first time in my life, I had two good men competing for my affections. Two men who both cared about me, who both wanted to make me happy.

The old me would have immediately chosen Tristan without question. But the new me, the woman who'd learned to value herself and demand better treatment, wasn't going to make it that easy.

If Tristan wanted me, he was going to have to prove it. And Derek... well, Derek was going to have to prove he was worth choosing over the man I'd loved for half my life.

Let the games begin.