Chapter 22
Adrian
“You’re doing what?” Isaac practically 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.
She studies me for a second, then her face lights up. “Oh, Adrian.”
I hesitate, trying to place her, but she beats me to it.
“I saw you at the fundraiser,” she says, her eyes intense with familiarity. “You know you’re always going to be the talk of the town. The new doctor. Seems like you’re making a good name for yourself. Keith speaks highly of you.”
Keith. Of course.
I nod, offering a tight smile.
“He stops by every now and then, but you know how it is in this town. You see everyone, whether you want to or not.” She laughs. “Speaking of which… I read Amelia’s article about you.”
“Yeah?”
“It was really something.” Her voice softens. “I had no idea what you went through in New York. None of us did.” She shakes her head. “Well, it wasn’t right. I’m glad people know the truth now.”
“Thanks,” I manage, unsure what else to say.
“Genevive was in here earlier. She said half the town’s been talking about it. Most people feel awful about the gossip when you first arrived.” Leila waves her hand dismissively. “You know how it is. Towns love their rumors until they get the real story.”
“Perks of the town, I suppose.” I smile.
“So, what can I do for you?”
I get the feeling that if I don’t accept her help, she’s going to keep talking just for the sake of it. So, I go with the easiest option.
“I’m looking for flowers… for a family.” The lie slips out easily, even though every part of me wants to say, They’re for Amelia.
The woman murmurs, crossing her arms. “What kind of flowers?”
“I don’t really know,” I admit. “Something… special. A thank-you.”
She considers for a moment, then nods. “How about a mix of colors with pops of green? Maybe some red leaves for contrast? Something that really stands out.”
“Sounds good.” I sigh, relieved. “I trust you. Just… make it big. Like $200 worth.”
I don’t miss the way her eyebrows lift slightly.
“Generous,” she murmurs. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t even introduce myself properly. Leila.” She waves her hand.
“Nice to meet you, Leila.”
“Want these delivered, or are you taking them with you?”
“I’ll take them now.”
She beams, already moving toward the back. “You really made an impression on this town, you know. The fundraiser was a hit.”
I nod, remembering that day, how the whole community came together, how much of a success it was, how it raised enough to fix the broken CT, and how Amelia had looked at me, smiling in a way that hit me hard.
I know Amelia said they would show up to support their town, but it shocked me to see how this small town takes care of their own.
“I was hoping it would be,” I say. “The hospital could really use the new equipment.”
“Well, none of us actually know exactly what a CT’s for,” Leila teases, gathering stems with practiced ease.
“But we trust that you do, because we know what you did for Mrs. Wynter, and that means the world to us. That you took care of her because you knew something was wrong, so we’re happy to help.
That’s what this town is about. Family.”
I nod again, something warm moving through my chest. After everything that happened at my last job, having people trust my judgement means more than I expected. My fingers trail along the edge of the wooden counter. “Yeah. I’ve been enjoying that part of it.”
“And the part where everyone knows your business?” She smiles, giving me a pointed look. “Not so lovely.”
I huff out a laugh. “That part, not so much.”
She winks before turning back to her work, moving around the shop, gathering flowers while explaining what they are. I try to listen, but the words blur together. Flowers aren’t my thing.
Amelia is.
And if this makes her smile, then that’s all that matters.
Once the arrangement is done, Leila wraps them in crisp brown paper, tying it with twine and ribbon. “Here you go. Sure to brighten someone’s day.”
I smile, grateful she doesn’t ask who they’re for. Pulling out my wallet, I hand her the cash.
As I take the bouquet, the scent rises between us, and I head for the door. But just as I step outside, I bump into someone.
“Whoa.”
I take a step back, steadying myself, and then I recognize her.
Hazel.
She glances at the bouquet in my hands. “Those are nice. Who are they for?”
I force an easy smile, adjusting my grip on the flowers. “They’re for your family,” I say smoothly. “I was going to give them to Amelia to pass along to you guys.”
Hazel narrows her eyes slightly, like she doesn’t quite believe me. “I can take them if you want.” For a second, I consider it. But then she adds, “I wasn’t heading home right away.”
Something tugs in my stomach.
“What are you up to?” I ask.
Hazel shifts her school bag higher on her shoulder, the strap digging into her uniform. Her fingers toy with the edges of a spiral notebook, the corners worn from fidgeting. She hesitates before speaking, eyes flicking down to the pages like she’s trying to find the right words written there.
“Well, I’ve got this school project,” she finally says, her voice softer than before. “I’m going to volunteer to coordinate a program at the retirement village. Help with yard work, groceries, that kind of thing. Something about giving back.”
“That sounds great.” And I mean it.
Her fingers tighten around the notebook.
“Yeah, I guess. It’s just… I’m not good at this kind of stuff, and everyone’s too busy to help.
And Mom—” Her voice wobbles for the first time.
“She can’t. I would ask Amelia, but she’s been too busy with work and taking care of Mom. I don’t want to add to her worries.”
Guilt flashes across her face before she drops her gaze, staring hard at the ground. My shoulders tense. She’s just a kid trying to handle everything on her own.
“I could help.”
“You sure?” she asks suddenly, eyes darting back up.
“I don’t have much to do today, honestly. That’s why I got these flowers. Day off, no real plans. I don’t have a little sister.” I smile. “Might be nice to borrow one for the day.”
That earns me a small smile.
“Sure,” she says. “I was actually heading to the retirement village now.”
“Mind if I tag along?”
She considers for a second before nodding. “Alright. You lead the way.”
“Do we need my car?”
“Actually,” she pauses, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, “would you mind dropping me home afterward? Since you were coming with the flowers anyway?”
“Of course.”
We cross the street toward my car, and as we settle inside, Hazel glances at the bouquet now resting on the backseat. “Those are really nice flowers,” she says casually, but there’s a gleam in her eye. “She’s gonna like them.”
I don’t correct her.
She already knows. I should be relieved that I don’t have to keep pretending, but another part worries about what Amelia will think when she finds out her little sister figured us out.