Flora went quiet but took Mack’s hand. “You know, I’ve never had a friend. I couldn’t understand the dynamic. The truth is I’ve never missed friendship. I’ve been lonely, but I didn’t know what for. I’ve tried at points in my life, but all I could think about was when would the torture of conversation end, so I could go home, shut my front door, and leave the world outside. I felt safe there. But you…”

“What about me?” Mack took her other hand.

“You are just different, and I don’t know why. I want to be in your company, I don’t panic thinking of what to say next, and we can sit in silence without it being awkward. You anticipate what’s going to make me uncomfortable or give me difficulties, and you’re so sensitive. No one, and I mean no one, has ever made me feel like that. That’s what makes you special.”

Mack understood the significance of what Flora was saying. It meant so much to her to be that one.

“I’ve never been called sensitive before,” Mack said jokingly. “But seriously, thanks for letting me in, because I’m falling for you.”

“But what if I can’t—”

“Can’t what?”

“Be everything that another woman could be for you.”

Mack understood but wanted to allay her fears. “I want a chance to be with you, to help you, to be your guardian angel, whatever you need me to be.” Tears filled Flora’s eyes. Mack used her thumb to wipe away the first stray tear that fell from Flora’s eye. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I didn’t realize just how much I wanted you to say those things. From the first moment I was held in your arms that first night we met, we connected, and there was something different going on.”

“Listen, we both have feelings, so let’s just explore and see what happens, eh?”

“But what if I can’t cope with everything—”

“We’ll see what happens. In the meantime, we’re going to have fun together—you, me, and Dex.”

“Poor Dex. He’ll be missing you. Are you going to pick him up?”

“Nah, Isy’s going to keep him till tomorrow. He always gets spoiled by Isy. I was on the phone with Nikki when you were waking up.”

Flora gasped. “What about the pizza?”

* * *

Flora heated up the pizzas in the oven and got some plates out. She looked back at Mack sitting on the couch, and her heart and other areas fluttered. Things had changed. Her heart had fluttered, pitter-pattered, and hammered in Mack’s company plenty of times before, but now it was different.