She was right to be concerned.
The media tried to paint her as a washed-up actress looking to make a quick buck. They tried to drag her personal and family life into the light. Worst of all, they dragged Thao into the media,which made Gia sick to her stomach. But despite it all, everyone stood behind Gia and gave their full support.
The whole town even became involved and started notifying each other when anyone from out of town showed up. There was only one way in and out of town, and that meant having to drive by Willowbrook Inn. Since it was a small town, it was easy to spot someone who didn’t belong.
“The whisper network,” as Marley liked to call it, involved a group chat to warn businesses so they could lock their doors, thereby icing out anyone who came asking questions. With nothing exciting to report and nowhere to stay—Willowbrook Inn was still under renovations, according to the sign out front—they would leave empty-handed.
This was different.
Crouching in front of where she sat, Jake gathered her trembling hands between his palms, squeezing gently. “Gia? Kitten? How are you doing?”
Her gaze, which had been glued to the TV since he turned it on, flew to his. She licked her lips. “Is this really happening?” Her voice was low, like she was scared it was a dream.
Minh squeezed Gia tighter to her side. “Yes. This is really happening.”
Jake nodded slowly, reaching to cradle her head between his hands. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Minh get up and leave the living room to give them privacy.
His forehead touched hers as he lowered his voice. “You did it, baby.”
Her eyes grew watery, tears spilling down her cheeks. “We did it.” She sniffed before letting out a sob and collapsing into his arms.
Jake picked her up, spinning to sit on the couch with her on his lap, and he held his woman close to his chest. The woman who had been his first love—who had fought through grief, addiction, and assaults and still came out on the other side with more heartand grit than anyone he’d ever met. She deserved every bit of peace and happiness life had to offer, and he’d spend the rest of his life making sure she never needed anything ever again.
“You did so good, Kitten,” he murmured into her hair, stroking her back.
Epilogue
GIA
Three months later
“Are you ready?” Marley asked, brandishing the new pair of scissors she had insisted on purchasing for the occasion.
Gia sucked in a breath, trying and failing to calm her racing heart.
Am I ready?
No, the truth was she wasn’t ready, but it was too late to back out now.
She exhaled, hand outstretched for the scissors. The cool metal felt reassuring in her hands.
I can do this.
“Okay, I’m ready,” Gia said, turning to face the small crowd gathered in front of the newly renovated Blooming Petals. They had repainted the front door a vibrant teal color, and the window displayed the new branding, which incorporated a flower with its roots wrapped around the moon.
Jake and Marley had left a pink ribbon in the doorway, insisting Gia cut it to celebrate the reopening of the floral shop that had been left to her after Rosie died this past spring. Gialooked up at the new signage she’d installed. A small smile tugged at her lips even as she felt a twinge of grief at losing Rosie so soon after she returned to town.
Since before the holidays, Gia had noticed Rosie struggling to keep the store maintained and keep fresh inventory. One early November afternoon, Gia had been walking by while Rosie was dusting the windows. Instead of walking past like she normally would have, Gia pivoted and turned into the flower shop instead.
After some awkward small talk, Rosie confessed it had been a tough year for her to go to market and pick up fresh flowers while also maintaining the shop, so Gia volunteered to help.
It started with going to the wholesale market in Bramblewood, over an hour’s drive outside of town. In those days, she often brought Marley along with her as they picked out which flowers to bring back to the shop. A day or two a week turned into Gia helping Rosie any time she wasn’t at The Lotus.
Gia hadn’t realized how precious those days were until one day, Rosie didn’t show up to open the store. Gia called 911 on the way to Rosie’s house, but by the time she’d gotten there, Rosie had long since passed. She’d gone to bed and hadn’t woken up.
That was in early March.
They laid Rosie to rest in the town’s cemetery to honor what she represented to Willowbrook—beauty through all the seasons. Rosie didn’t have any relatives, but when it came time for the reading of her will, Rosie surprised Gia by leaving Blooming Petals to her.
