This was their first public outing as a “couple,” and if Maple Falls was good at anything, it was gossip. She could practically feel her mother’s voice echoing through town already:Zoe and Jackson, the cutest thing since matching porch swings.
The Spring Market was held every Sunday of the season, just past the end of Oak Way, in the community park. It was one of Zoe’s favorite parts of spring—especially since her flower shop was closed on Sundays. She didn’t always participate, but when she had extra blooms or creative energy to spare, she loved being part of it.
The early morning springtime air was fresh and breezy, blowing Zoe’s caramel locks back as she set up her table. She’d dressed in a soft cream cardigan layered over a floral wrap dress patterned with tiny wildflowers. A pair of well-worn leather ankle boots peeked from beneath the skirt.
The market had transformed the park into a sea of color. Tables lined the gravel paths, each one brimming with handmade crafts, baked goods, or local produce.
Today, Zoe’s booth was cheerful and full of color. She’d arranged miniature bouquets of lemon-yellow daffodils and fresh potted tulips. Each pot came with a small card explaining how the buyer could replant the bulbs for next spring.Flowers for now and later, the sign read, in her handwriting.
Next to her, Cassidy was setting up her chocolate stand, complete with seasonal spring flavor chocolates—white chocolate lavender bonbons, raspberry lemon truffles, and strawberries dipped in pastel-colored white chocolate.
Around them, the park was waking up with Sunday morning energy. Locals and tourists alike wandered in before the stands were even fully set, coffee cups in hand and smiles on their faces. Parents, already up for hours with their little ones, strolled the paths while toddlers darted ahead to the playground.
Couples wandered the rows hand in hand, stopping to sample bread still warm from the oven or to taste jam straight from a tiny wooden spoon. The air was rich with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, sugary kettle corn mixed with the earthy smell of damp grass and Zoe’s bright blooms. Quilts in every shade of spring—from soft lilacs, butter yellows, robin’s egg blues—hung from one stall, swaying softly in the breeze. Shoppers left with bags and baskets, heading home for a lazy Sunday.
Zoe’s pulse kicked up, realizing that Jackson would be joining her soon.
“So…you and Jackson, huh?” Cassidy asked, not even trying to be casual as she stacked trays of lavender bonbons.
Zoe adjusted a display of daffodils. “Is that a new chocolate?”
“Nice try,” Cassidy said, smirking. “Don’t change the subject. Spill.”
Zoe took a breath and improvised. “Honestly…I think we were already dating before we realized it. It all just happened really fast. We weren’t going to say anything, but then my mom saw us together and, well…you know how she is. She nominated us for Couple of the Year at the Spring Fling. So, Jackson and I decided to go for it.”
Cassidy grinned. “Oh, I bet you went for it alright. I love this. Unexpected romance and swapping steamy stories before noon. My favorite kind of Sunday.”
“Stop.”
“Speak of the devil,” Cassidy murmured, tipping her head as Jackson strolled up the path. “You ready for your close-up, Miss Couple of the Year?”
Zoe rolled her eyes but couldn’t help laughing. “Barely. I’ve had butterflies since breakfast.”
She felt her breath quicken as she watched him. He wore dark jeans and a fitted charcoal T-shirt that left nothing to the imagination, the fabric stretched over his chest and shoulders. His beard was trimmed, his hair a little tousled from the wind. He looked effortlessly rugged, and Zoe felt overwhelmingly happy that she got to pretend that he was all hers.
Without hesitation, he slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. “Morning, sweetheart.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Zoe’s world tilted. Jackson’s breath brushed her skin, warm and steady. For a second, she forgot where she was. The market, the flowers, even Cassidy’s grin—all of it blurred into background noise as she leaned into Jackson’s solid form.
“Hey, you,” Zoe managed to reply, her voice sounding shaky.
“Figured I’d check in on my favorite florist,” he said, smiling down at her. “Business going okay?” he asked, stepping back and nodding toward the row of booths. He waved down the marketto Liam, manning their farm’s table, which featured hot honey, cherry jams, and hand-poured beeswax candles.
Zoe finally found her voice. “Yeah—business is good.”
“I was going to bring you tea, but I wasn’t sure if you take honey or lemon.”
“Depends on the day,” she said, the corner of her mouth curving. “You’ll just have to keep studying me if you want to pull off the perfect boyfriend act.”
He chuckled softly, a low, velvety sound that did terrible, wonderful things to her insides.
Zoe shook her head, trying to will away the heat rising in her cheeks. “No, seriously, this is great. The way you kissed me just now? That was perfection.”
She had to stop herself from turning her head and meeting his lips instead of his cheek. Anyone watching would think they were whispering sweet nothings to each other. Which, of course, was the point…wasn’t it?
Zoe turned to see Mrs. Bishop and her best friend, Mrs. C., making their way toward the booth. Mrs. Bishop was in crisp white linen pants, a raspberry blouse, and a dramatic sun hat. Mrs. C. wore cropped khakis and a no-nonsense expression, her gray hair clipped short in a style that matched her personality.
“I hear you’re Maple Falls’s latest and greatest couple,” Mrs. Bishop said, approaching the table. “This is what I get for taking two days off from the shop.”
