Page 53 of Romeo

Sugar stepped closer to him. “Trust me on this. Let. It. Go.”

For a second, neither of them moved. Then Georgie looked at me, and some of the fight drained out of his expression.

“Fine.” His voice softened slightly. “Just... be careful, okay?”

“I will,” I promised.

He held my gaze another moment before turning and leaving without another word. The bell jingled behind him, and only after the door closed did I realize I’d been holding my breath.

Sugar turned back to me.

“You know who sent them,” I said.

It wasn’t a question; it felt more like a confession, but I wasn’t sure what I was confessing to.

Her lips curved into a small smile. “I have a pretty good idea.”

I glanced toward the door Georgie had just disappeared through. “Are you going to tell Georgie?”

“No.”

Relief came so fast my knees almost felt weak.

Sugar touched one of the petals, her expression turning more serious. “But you need to be careful, Fiona. If it’s the man I think sent these flowers—” She paused, searching my face. “He doesn’t do anything halfway. When he cares about someone, he cares completely. And that can be overwhelming.”

“I know.”

Her hand stilled against the flower. “Do you?”

Her voice was soft enough that the question landed harder.

I looked at the flowers. “I think so.”

Sugar studied me for another second, then nodded. “Okay. Just don’t let anyone, including Georgie, pressure you into making a decision before you’re ready.”

I nodded. She squeezed my shoulder and disappeared into the back room. My phone suddenly felt very heavy in my apron pocket. I pulled it out.

Me: The flowers arrived

Jasper: What flowers?

The innocent response nearly pulled a laugh from me.

Me: The ones with peonies, ranunculus, and dark green ribbon.

Jasper: Sounds like someone has excellent taste.

Me: Georgie wants to know who sent them.

Jasper: Tell him a secret admirer.

Me: He threatened to interrogate every man in Rosewood

Jasper: That should keep him busy.

I bit my lip.

Me: Did you send them?