Awkward. I have no idea what to say. “Um, thanks, Dad. I’m glad you came. I do need to—”
“You go.” He waves me forward. “You’re busy. I’m going to walk around a bit.”
“Okay. Oh, and, Dad, if you see Sarina—”
“Don’t worry, Sana. I saw her. And saw the pictures at the entrance. I have no intention of telling Noureen aboutanythingon that sign.” He shakes his head. “I know shewouldn’t approve of that picture of me in a Canadian tuxedo. I really thought I was as cool as Justin Timberlake.”
I laugh and head back to the flower heart.
Miles finally finds me again at about two o’clock and asks if we can take in the festival together as cochairs. I smile at him as I wave over an extra volunteer from the mural team to help crowd control at the floral heart.
Hand in hand, Miles and I walk around our festival. A few volunteers and committee members ask us questions, and we put out a few mini fires. We split an empanada and each get a strawberry matcha boba tea from LoveBug. But most importantly, we talk.
I start by apologizing. For not letting him explain why he took that job. For shutting him out as soon as things got complicated. I tell him that everything I said in my speech is true—I understand now that Love Street is going to change, but we can still have a say onhowit changes.
“I loved your speech,” he says. “Like, a lot. Thank you for… telling me that way.”
I smile. “I wrote most of the speech last night. Up until I unveiled the historical plaque. I only added the last bit today.” I pause. “A part of me thought that you didn’t care aboutusas much as I did, because you didn’t tell me about your job. And because… because I thought you didn’t believe in all this romance stuff.”
He squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry. I’m not great at talking about it, but really, Idocare.”
“Yeah, I know. Sarina told me… and I realized that youareromantic when I saw your perfectly curated selection of romance books. So I… I added the part where I said I love you.”
He’s turning pink again and smiling. “I read a bunch of those books, you know.”
“Reggie told me. Are you now a romance lover?”
He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it. “I think I still prefer a good historical mystery, but I get the appeal now. I can’t believe you’ve had the fortune I got on my prom night in that necklace all summer. How many times have I seen you wear it?”
I laugh. “Right? I had no idea it was yours until today. Now do you believe in fate? Thisproveswe’re soul mates.” I beam at him, which makes him kiss my cheek.
He grins. “I almost believe… in coincidences.”
I laugh at that and slap his arm.
We pass April’s booth, and I point out the heart bow that I bought Zuri.
“I owe you an apology too,” he says. “Ishouldhave told you that your father referred me for that internship. I didn’t know that your mother was selling them her building, but I still thought… I thought you wouldn’t approve. You hate developers, and you don’t have the best relationship with your father.”
“You were right. I wouldn’t have approved. I was so… stubborn. My parents, strangely, are the ones who taught me that things aren’t as black-and-white as I thought. I get the nuance, I mean.”
He smiles. “Su Lin told me you were behind the historical plaque.”
I nod. “I’m going to keep fighting for Love Street—and make sure it never loses theessenceof why it’s great, even if there are new people and new stores. It will still be my home.”
“But aren’t you moving?”
I shake my head, grinning, and tell him about my father’s plan to have me and Sarina stay in my apartment in September.
“Oh!” He laughs. “That’s great!”
“My dad’s here, you know. He actually came. He said he loved my speech. I think he’s trying to make up for lost years. He said he needed the kick in the pants. He’s… stubborn and idealistic like me.”
Miles freezes. “Um, are you saying I kissed you like that while yourfatherwas watching us?”
I nod. “Yep. Don’t worry—he likes you, but I wouldn’t really care if he didn’t. Will you be staying in the apartment you’re in now in September?”
He squeezes my hand again. “I wasn’t sure. But now that I know you’re staying on Love Street, I think I’ll stay close by.”
