I know what she means.It’s the kind of fear that comes when something is too good, too real.Like if we acknowledge it, we might lose it.And the thought of that, or worse, losing her, sends a panic through me.I’ve already lost too much.My mom, my dad, my reputation.I can’t imagine adding Amelia to that list.What scares me the most is how much I already need her, when I’ve spent so long convinced I was better off alone.The more time I spend with her, the more I want to spend my time with her.
I tighten my hold on her, smoothing a hand down her back.“Yeah,” I admit.“But not enough to stop.”
She searches my face, and whatever she sees there must be enough, because she nods, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips.“I feel the same.”
I shift, rolling her beneath me just enough to steal another passionate kiss.One that says we’re not done yet.
Chapter 22
Adrian
“You’redoingwhat?”Isaacpractically shouts through the phone.
I move from the middle of the sidewalk to lean against the brick wall of The Point Bakery while people pass by, arms full of shopping bags, the smell of fresh bread lingering in the air.I have the day off since I’m working the weekend, so I figured I’d spend it in town running errands.
“I’m buying a girl flowers,” I say, keeping my voice casual, though my heart’s beating a little harder than I’d like to admit.
It’s been a few days since I last saw Amelia, and we’ve been texting, but it’s not the same.The ache of missing her has stayed with me.I want her to know I’m thinking of her.Flowers seem like the right gesture.Something beautiful, and something thoughtful.But we’re keeping things quiet.No one’s supposed to know about us.So, I’ll send them to her whole family with a note about welcoming me to town and hope she gets the message.
Isaac whistles low.“So, you’re dating someone already?I figured you’d be the first one to settle down, but this soon?”He chuckles.“Shit, I might have to come down there and find a girl myself.”
“That would mean you have to live here.Most people don’t leave this place.”
“What do you mean?”
“Families here?They stay their whole lives.They love it here, and honestly, I can see why.”I glance around at the quiet town streets.It’s different from the city: slower, warmer.“Even the hospital’s good to work at.”
“How so?”
I think about how to explain without sounding too sentimental.
“The patients, man.They’re grateful.Kind.It’s not better than the city.Just… different.”
“Glad you’re happy there.I just couldn’t leave my life here.”
I’ve been thinking about this for days now, weighing the pros and cons.I hesitate for a second, then say it.“I’m buying a house in the next few weeks.”
“Shit, for real?”He laughs.“Well, now I’m definitely coming down for a housewarming party.”
“Which means I’d actually have to organize one.”
“Exactly!”
A woman’s voice calls his name in the background.He sighs.“Alright, gotta get back to work.Talk to you later.”
“Yeah, later.”
I hang up and slip my phone into my pocket, then I push off the wall and head straight for The Flower Point.
Amelia’s getting those damn flowers.
The shop is bigger than I expected, with an almost greenhouse-like feel: glass walls letting in sunlight, shelves overflowing with cascading vines, potted plants, and bursts of color.The air is filled with the scent of roses, eucalyptus, and something citrusy.It’s not the kind of traditional florist I’m used to.Alongside the flowers, there are shelves of handmade soaps, candles, and tiny trinkets that catch the light.
A voice cuts through the quiet rush of the shop.
“Hi.How can I help you?”
I turn toward the sound, my body jerking slightly at the unexpected volume.A woman in her late twenties stands behind the counter, her brown curls pinned back in a messy updo, a warm but knowing smile on her face.
