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Without hesitation, she clicked on the photo of the red flower, recognizing it at once as the Kaka beak from Kew Gardens.

Her breathing stopped as she read the caption.

“Visited Kew Gardens yesterday. Such important work being done there to preserve gorgeous flowers such as the Kaka beak from New Zealand. As you know, I typically don’t post photos taken with my phone camera, but I needed to spread the word about this phenomenal location. Visit today. You won’t regret it.”

Claire read the words over and over, realization sinking deeper and deeper into her heart. Liam hadn’t been staring at his phone due to boredom at the gardens. He’d been taking photos of flowers—the same flowers Claire had admired.

She shook her head in frustration. She’d been dwelling on her assumption that he didn’t like flowers to keep herself grounded around him. Now what was she going to do?

Before she could answer her own question, her phone buzzed, and a message slid down from the top of her phone, revealing Liam’s name.

Her heart fairly lurched from her chest. Quickly, she clicked on the message and read his words.

Liam: It was my pleasure.

Claire read it again. It was his pleasure. Did he really mean that? More than likely, he was just being nice.

Well, that was great. He’d responded, she’d done some good stalking, and now she could finally rest.

She lowered her phone to her chest and closed her eyes. But when her stomach grumbled, she thought of the last time she ate food, and when she thought of the last time she ate food, she thought of Liam…and the fact that she hadn’t paid him back.

With another sigh, she pulled up her phone again, swearing it was for the last time.

Claire: Don’t forget to tell me how much I owe you for dinner.

She paused. He’d paid for a lot more than that. Sending one message after another, she continued texting him.

Claire: And for the hot chocolate.

Claire: And for the beany cheesy thingy.

Claire: And for my trip to the toilet.

Finally, she stopped, smiling at her own joke until the three floating dots appeared at the bottom of the message thread. She pulled in her lips to prevent her smile, then glanced to Melody, ensuring she was still sound asleep.

Liam: Haha I told you, you don’t need to worry about paying me back. It’s my treat.

Haha. Did that mean he’d laughed at her teasing? Still, Claire hesitated, not sure if he was trying to be a gentleman or if he really was okay paying for her.

Claire: Are you sure?

Instead of a message, Liam sent a GIF of Kuiiil on The Mandalorian saying his signature phrase, “I have spoken.”

Had she died and gone to heaven right now?

Claire: Alright. You’ve convinced me. Thank you so much again.

Liam: You’re welcome. Here’s another treat for you to give you sweet dreams.

She waited anxiously as the dots appeared again, then Liam sent a GIF of Mando.

Liam: Check out those pauldrons.

Liam: #sweetdreamsaremadeofthis

Claire laughed at the back of her throat, causing Melody to stir at the noise. Swiftly, Claire hid her phone until her friend settled again, then she moved to respond.

Claire: You sure do know how to make a girl blush.