Page 41 of Broken Promises

Sailor gave me a sympathetic look because we both knew this was as good as it could get. “It will be okay. You’re one of the most resourceful and capable people I have ever met, and I don’t doubt you’ll figure this all out. At one point, you’ll know what’s right, and you’ll go for it. Because that’s the kind of personmyLucy is.”

A warmth spread through me in an instant. She often gave me more credit than I deserved, but I felt invincible with her by my side. If there was one person I could always count on to make me feel better, it was her. Fate must have brought us together for moments like this when we stood by each other and helped make impossible situations a little more possible.

“How’s Eve doing, by the way? Still stuck at home?” she swiftly changed the topic, which I greatly appreciated.

“Unfortunately. Her doctor says she’ll be out for at least a few more weeks before she can evenattemptto work part-time. Her recovery is going well, but she’ll need time. I think the fact that she can still be useful from the house is making it easier for her. She’s always been a workaholic.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” Sailor interrupted me. I rolled my eyes.

“Right now, I don’t have a choice. I want everything to be set up for my mom once she can return to work. The software and her POS system are set up. I’m making a few more adjustments in her system, which should be it…” I was determined to prepare everything for my mom’s return. Everything aside from one—and perhaps the most important—thing.

“What about a new employee? I mean, what’s going to happen once you leave? If your mom still can’t work…”

Within the next two weeks, while I was still in Port-Cartier, I had to find another worker for my mom’s business. A part of me refused to find someone already because giving this position to someone else felt definitive, and I wasn’t ready for that yet. This town was filled with good people who poured their hearts into everything they did, but I also couldn’t help but feel that none of them would be good enough for the job. But that was a worry for another day. Today, I had to sort out the floral arrangements before me.

“I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it. I’ve gotten some applications, but honestly, I haven’t taken a look at them yet…”

“Is there a reason?” Sailor questioned me.

My heart twisted in my chest as I pondered my response. For the first time in forever, I couldn’t bring myself to be honest with Sailor. “I’ve just been swamped,” I said softly. “Thank you—for all of this. I legitimately don’t know what I would do withoutyou. But I really need to get these sorted out”—I gestured at the flowers in front of me—“and you keep distracting me!”

“You’re the one who calledme!” she retorted, waving her finger at me through the screen. Chuckles broke out from both our mouths, and for a split second, life really wasn’t that complicated. “Without me, you’d be far lonelier and laughing less. Anyway, I love you, girl. I’ll talk to you soon. And don’t you worry; you’ll figure it all out. What’s meant to be will find a way, and the more I hear you talk about Luke, the more I’m sure this is meant to be.”

“I love you too. And thank you. Again.” I couldn’t say it enough.

Just as Sailor hung up—almost on cue—the front doorbell rang, and Luke entered the flower store. A smile was plastered across his face—the kind that made my heart yearn for more of his presence.

“Welcome to Blushing Blooms. What can I do for you today?” I teased him as he approached my counter. His smile widened.

“Well, I’m looking for someone to bring to my family’s BBQ this Sunday.” He arched his brow. “If you know someone, I’d be thankful if you’d let me know.”

“Hmm…” I hummed as I approached him, wrapping my arms around his neck. Luke leaned in, kissing my lips softly. The butterflies fluttered in my stomach like they did all those years ago. It was the feeling I remembered so vividly over the years—the feeling I thought I would never experience again. “Well, I’ll have to check my schedule, but I may be available to join you.”

“Wonderful,” Luke responded, keeping his hands on my hips. “You know, you’ve been missed on these BBQs over the years. My family tried not to mention you because they saw the breakup wasn’t easy for me either?—”

“Then you shouldn’t have broken up with me,” I pointed out.

Luke rolled his eyes before he continued, “But every now and then, your name would pop up. As it should have. You’ve always been a part of my family.” I felt the same way. We had been together for years and were friends for even longer beforehand. And while our past could never be changed, our future could. And I looked forward to building it with him.

“We’re older now. We have to do better. No more secret schemes and no more lies.” My eyes locked on his, noting the everlasting softness that resided there. The more I stared at him, the more I realized how much I searched for him in every man I dated over the past ten years. But no one could ever compare—because they weren’t Luke.

“I promise. I’d be an idiot ever to let you go again. Whether you like it or not, you really are stuck with me…”

While we both wanted to enjoy this piece of heaven for a little longer, I knew we had to discuss what was going to happen once these last two weeks were up. And we needed to be realistic. Neither of us could allow ourselves to lose our jobs.

“There’s nothing I’d like more,” I admitted, finally prying myself away from his warm embrace. “But we do need to discuss what we’re going to do. I’m only staying for two more weeks, and then I have to return to my job.”

I had some savings, but working at my mom’s place would be a financial hit. She loved her flower shop, and people who lived here loved it as well, but the truth was, her prices were far too low and barely making any profit for her, let alone the two of us. And I truly did love teaching, even if it wasn’t the path I originally planned.

“That’s easy,” Luke said calmly. “I’ll follow you in Seattle.”

“Luke, you can’t just follow me in Seattle. We’ve only reunited weeks ago. This may very well be a honeymoon phase. I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret?—”

He pressed his index fingers against my lips to silence all my concerns. Rolling my eyes, I swatted his hand away from my mouth.

“First, we’re not just in the ‘honeymoon’ phase. From the moment I first met you, I knew you were the one for me. We’ve spent the past ten years away from each other, but I’ve only been more sure of it in your absence,” he explained. The fluttering sensation in my stomach returned, but I tried to chase it away. I needed to stay focused. “And I’d never regret coming with you. You know what I do regret? Letting you go all those years ago. I meant it when I said it, Luce. I’d be a fool to let you go again. I’m never making that mistake again. You’re the best damn thing to have ever happened to me.”

“Now you’re just trying to sweet-talk me into that BBQ…” I crossed my arms over my chest, still keeping that teasing tone in my voice. Luke laughed, sending a wave of tingles through my body.

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