“I was...Iam...terrified of moving to Toronto.”
I shook my head. “You? No. You’re not scared of anything. And you’ve been there loads of times.”
“I’ve neverlivedthere. I’ve visited lots of big cities because my parents didn’t want us only seeing our own backyard, but I’ve never lived anywhere but here. Every time I’ve been in Toronto, it’s just been so...much. There are people everywhere. The subway is confusing. Everyone is dressed better than me, and they all seem so cool. People have loads of friends, and they always say the right things. Remember when you said I beat to my own drum? What if I never fit in there? What if people think I’m weird—”
“Toronto is going toloveyou, Rowan.” I might love him, and IwasToronto.
He shrugged.
“But I get it,” I said. “Honestly, I’m scared, too. Because I’ve just realized I may not fit into the world that’s so important to me like I used to.”
I’d changed. How was I going to deal with the fashion show committee, and my photo shoots, and my Instagram when I got back? Or would I even bother with those things anymore? Could I do them, but more casually? Maybe just for fun instead of always trying to be the best?
But this conversation wasn’t about my insecurities right now.
I took his hand. “So you were mad that I showed up in your life representing everything you were anxious about in the city,” I said. “And I was shallow, and judgmental, and superficial. No wonder you hated me.”
He swallowed. “No. That’s just it. I was anxious about movinguntilI met you. You represented everything Iloveabout the city. Ambition. Art. Culture. Breathtaking beauty. You reminded me that I needed all that in my life, and that little bit of discomfort when something is new is worth it. I never hated you. You drove me nuts a little bit, but I admired you so much.”
I didn’t even know what to say. He was the breathtaking one.
He fed me a mini doughnut with his fork. “My own backyard is comfortable, but I’m ready to move on.” He sighed. “But for the last two days, I’ve been convinced this relationship wouldn’t work in the city. You’ll be so far ahead of me there, and I have no intention of asking you to stop to let me catch up.”
I squeezed his hand. “I need to slow down a bit, anyway.” I exhaled. “Do you still think this won’t work?”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t think I even have a choice. I’mgoingto keep crashing into you, Tahira. I have since the day we met.Last night when you said you were coming back, I wanted to establish boundaries because I didn’t want to get hurt. That went out the window as soon as I saw your new Bloom design. Your art, your passion, your brilliance. I will always be drawn to the brightest light in the universe. It’s inevitable. I’m just hoping you want it as much as I do.”
Oh.My eyes welled up. My sweet, sensitive Plant-Boy. I took his head in my hands and kissed his forehead.
“You and I are the most determined people I know,” I whispered. “We can make this work if we want it.”
His face was inches from mine. He smelled like marshmallows and chocolate, and he was wearing jorts and a soil- and moss-stained T-shirt covered with flowers and the lettersBFF. He was perfect.
“I want it,” he said before kissing me briefly.
I wanted more, but of course I couldn’t make out in front of a novelty carnival ride. My parents were at this festival somewhere. I squeezed his hand, gazing into those beautiful brown eyes.
In a million years, I couldn’t have imagined that this would be how my summer in Bakewell would end. With this amazing, kissable guy who inspired me to create more, appreciate more, and be the best me I could be.
“So, we’re still going to be a thing, then? Totally exclusive, even in Toronto?” he asked, touching my cheek.
I nodded. “This summer fling just got a major upgrade.” I smiled goofily, because how could I not?
Someone yelled my name. Samaya was standing on the other side of the ride, waving her hands frantically to get my attention.
I mouthed, “What?”
“They’re announcing the winners soon!” she yelled. She pointed at the ride. “Grab those two and meet us at the stage.”
What two? I looked at the ride.
And sure enough, Juniper and Leanne were sitting on the tulip seat of the spinning-flowers ride. June was holding a bunch of deep-red tulips. And her and Leanne’s lips were locked in a kiss.
I smiled, feeding Rowan the last doughnut from the box before standing. It was time to go see if we’d won the Bloom.
EPILOGUE
BACK IN THE GARDEN
