Chapter 45
jeremy
“Are these apology flowers or a love confession?”
I glanced up from the display to find the florist standing way too close, hovering over my shoulder.
“Congratulations flowers,” I muttered.
“Ah.” He gave a knowing nod, his bright amber eyes catching the light. His hair was perfectly styled, and the brown apron made him look like he’d stepped out of a home decor catalog. “Those are the best kind.”
He pointed toward a cream-colored bouquet.
I shook my head. “Brighter.”
“Alright . . . if she likes big flowers, I’ve got just the thing. Give me a sec.”
I nodded and drifted toward the counter while he disappeared into the back. Whatever he came out with, I’d take. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing here anyway. The thought of being surrounded by all her friends, coworkers, and goddamn social media cameras later had my palms sweating.
When he returned, he was holding a bundle of pink and yellow blooms, big and unapologetically cheerful.
“Perfect.”
Dirks always brought her flowers. I loved the way her whole face lit up when he did. I wanted to give her that smile, too. I paid in cash, and the florist slid the bouquet across the counter.
“Good luck.”
Yeah, I’d need it.
The walk was only a block, but every step closer felt like someone tightening a vise around my chest. This wasn’t my scene. Never had been. Never would be.
When I reached the corner, I saw it—Luna Yoga—her first location in what she kept calling her franchise concept.
The place was impossible to miss, all floor-to-ceiling glass and glowing warm lights against the evening.
Inside, people of every size, shape, and age moved around in bright leggings, sipping smoothies and hugging.
She was dead center in the studio, framed by the big window. Blonde hair shining under the lights, her smile so easy it made strangers feel like they belonged here. She was talking to a group of women, animated hands flying, eyes crinkling, alive.
Dirks stood right beside her, tall and golden, laughing with a guy who looked like he owned a Patagonia vest in every color. They fit here. They looked like they belonged in the glossy ad campaign for her grand opening.
I was standing out on the sidewalk with one hand in my pocket, clutching flowers with the other like a fucking extra in the wrong movie. Out of place didn’t even cover it. This wasn’t my world. But she was.
I pushed the door open, the smell of sage and eucalyptus hitting me. A couple people glanced my way, smiling politely, but it felt like walking into a house party where I didn’t know a single person except the one I came for.
Luna was still mid-conversation, but Dirks had slid in behind her, one hand at her waist, his mouth dipping toward her ear. She laughed, leaning into him, her body curving toward him without even thinking.
The three of us had never dated in public. Not like this. Not in some bright, open place where every touch could be seen.
Five months. That’s how long it’d been since we made the deal. Five months of sticking to our agreement before the estate needed to close. I was already more than halfway to the point where I needed her to fulfill her end of our bargain.
Dirks’s eyes caught mine first. He flicked his gaze over me—black shirt, black jeans, the flowers still clutched in my hand—and for a second, his mouth curved like he might make some sarcastic comment. He turned back to whoever Luna was speaking to.
Nova Thatcher.
Austin’s ex-wife was here. And standing just beside her—Ollie.
She was a walking reminder of my old life. Back when my best friend was Austin, and we’d drink until we couldn’t remember where the night ended.
I looked back toward the group and saw Luna break away, her smile brightening as she made a beeline for me.
“Hi, honey.”
She reached me, kissed me quickly, and gave me a once-over. “You came.”
“For you,” I muttered, holding out the flowers.
Her eyes lit up, hand coming up to my cheek. “These are so thoughtful. Thank you.”
“Mm.” My gaze flicked over her shoulder to where Dirks stood with Nova, both of them mid-laugh.
She followed my line of sight. “You want me to distract them?”
“No. Let’s . . . rip off the Band-Aid.”
“Alright then.”
She passed the bouquet to one of the girls at the counter without breaking stride, then slipped her hand into mine.
“Come on. We’ll do it together.”
Nova spotted me first. “Hey, Jer. Good to see you.”
“You, too,” I said, leaning in for a quick hug.
Luna stepped in with a smile. “Nova, you already know Jer. Jer, this is her husband, Ollie.”
Ollie held out his hand, and before I could even say anything, Luna added, “They just got married.”
“Oh yeah, bro—we know,” I said, shaking his hand with a small smirk.
Dirks, standing just off to the side, burst into a laugh.
“Yeah, we were jealous,” Dirks admitted, still grinning like he was telling on both of us.
Ollie’s mouth curled into a slow smile. “Nah, nothing to be jealous of, especially not Will.”
That made Dirks bark out another laugh, and I couldn’t stop my own.
Luna rolled her eyes at all three of us. “Okay, enough of the boys’ club—Ollie, Dirks, come on. You’ve got to see what they’re setting up in the front windows.”
The two of them followed her, still laughing under their breath, leaving me standing there with Nova.
“You look good, Jer. Heard you’re sober now.”
“Yeah,” I said, adjusting my stance. “I heard you’ve got a kid with Austin.”
“Yeah. We’ve been co-parenting really well, actually. We’re headed over there this weekend.” She shrugged. “Have you seen him?”
“No. Thought about reaching out. Maybe one day.”
Nova’s gaze sharpened. “You know, Luna’s the best human I know.
When she was in London . . . ” She exhaled.
“She was withering away, Jer. Like she’d shrunk herself to fit in a box someone else made for her.
And now”—Nova gestured vaguely toward where Luna’s laugh carried from the front windows—“she’s back, and she’s flourishing.
So flourish with her. Don’t be the root that pulls her down.
” She tilted her head, studying me like she was peeling back layers.
“Do you know what I love most about Luna?”
“You’re her best friend, you love everything about her.”
“Wrong. What I love most is that she makes people better. Not just nicer. Not just more fun to be around. She makes people more themselves—the version they’ve been too scared to be. I watched it happen with me. I watched it happen with Ollie. And I’ve watched her try to do it for you once.”
I shifted, uncomfortable under her stare. “I’m only here because I need her help.”
Nova laughed. “Sure. That’s what you’re telling yourself.
I’ve been around enough addicts, enough men who can’t admit they’re in deep, to know the truth when I see it.
You’re here because she’s your oxygen. And maybe you hate that.
Maybe it scares the shit out of you. But don’t you dare pretend she’s just your crutch.
Because one day, she’s not going to let you lean anymore—she’s going to want you to stand next to her. ”
The words lodged in my chest. “You think I can?”
“I think either you will or you’ll lose her. And Jer—” She reached out, squeezing my shoulder until I met her eyes. “You already know you wouldn’t survive losing her again.”
She started to walk away, then glanced back with a little smirk. “I love her. And I’ve seen that look in my own eyes when I watch her—the one you’re wearing right now. That’s not someone who just cares. That’s someone who’s already hers.”