I chuckled, but the flame in my chest fanned brighter. “I’m just thankful you forced me to do it in the first place. And that there’s some way I can help. Though I hope it doesn’t come to me taking over Longbourne. I don’t know the first thing about running the shop.”

“If it does, you won’t be alone,” Luke said.

And looking around that table, I took comfort in that fact, believing it with so much conviction, I knew without a doubt that if there was a way to save the shop, we’d find it.

We dispersed, chattering our way out of the shop, but I wandered into the greenhouse looking for I don’t know what. Clarity. Answers. Comfort. And in many ways, I found it as soon as I stepped through the doors.

It was quiet and still, the darkness dotted with flower heads in rows. My worry eased to a bubbling whisper, one that spoke Lila’s name.

I thought of my past, of the things I’d run from, the things I’d feared. Things I never thought of, things dredged up by the depth of my feelings for her. It was easy to want her when I thought she didn’t want me. But now that I’d been given hope, the stakes had risen to dangerous heights.

The door opened behind me, and the familiar sound of expensive heels on concrete had me smiling, smiling and turning to find Lila walking toward me.

She glowed, floating down the aisle with a blissful, tired smile. And I met her, sweeping her into my arms.

When I’d kissed her well, she sighed, looking up at me with adoration.

“The baby is perfect. Everything is absolutely perfect, and I cannot believe my sister created that sweet, tiny thing. I’ve never been so terrified as I was holding her. I kept thinking I was doing it wrong, or worrying I’d drop her. Isn’t that silly?”

“Oh, I dunno,” I said, drawing her closer. “I think it’s natural to worry when you’ve got something precious in your arms.”

Her face tilted to inspect mine. “Are you worried, Kash?”

“I’d be crazy not to be.”

“But why?”

“Because I don’t want to lose you.”

She softened, her hand moving to cup my jaw. “Why would you think you would?”

I turned to press a kiss into her palm. “You didn’t do flings? Well, I don’t do serious. And I’ve realized I am very serious where you’re concerned.”

“Well, lucky for you, I’m a pro,” she teased, giving me the words I’d given to her what seemed like ages ago. “And for the record, I’m very serious where you’re concerned too. I’m not going anywhere, Kash—I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

“Promise?” I asked with a sideways smile.