Page 111 of The Exception

I was testing him, sort of. Did he feel this too? Was there any way he’d ever want this to be more than pretend?

Maybe I should’ve just told him what I was feeling, but I was scared. Scared he didn’t feel the same way. Scared that I’d ruin something wonderful and turn it into something beyond awkward.

“You don’t have to like it. But the more invested people are in our love story, the less attention they’ll pay to stupid rumors.”

He cupped my cheek, his touch a gentle claiming.

I clutched his shirt in my hands, wanting him closer—not just for the camera, but for me. “Do you want everyone to believe this is real or not?”

“I do, but?—”

“Then kiss me,” I said again, this time more forcefully.

He hesitated, smoothing my hair over my shoulder. And then he leaned in and pressed a kiss to my forehead.

“I can work with that,” I said.

He grunted but said nothing more.

We filmed a few more scenes around the grounds, viewing the progress of various projects. Talking about what was coming up next.

“The sunflowers will be ready to harvest soon,” Graham said as we passed through a field of them.

I glanced out over the colorful, happy field of flowers. I didn’t think I could look at sunflowers without thinking of our wedding. Light suffused the air with a sort of golden quality that made it feel as if anything were possible. I wanted to capture this moment, live in it forever.

“Un tournesol,” I mused.“To turn with the sun.”

“Sunflowers can have numerous meanings, but my favorites are loyalty, strength, and resilience.” He looked me straight in the eye, and it felt as if he was trying to tell me something more than what he was saying with his words.

Or maybe I was merely wanting to read more into it.

I tilted my head, watching Graham in the fading sun. “How do you know all that?”

“My gran.”

He was quiet and so was I, giving him a minute to process his thoughts. I knew how important his grandparents were to him, even if he rarely mentioned their influence on his life outside the company.

“I used to pore over her books on botany and the hidden meaning of flowers. The Victorians attributed all sorts of symbolism to various plants and flowers. Often using flowers to send hidden messages to others.”

“Like a secret code?” I asked.

“Sort of.” The colors in the sky shifted, turning a beautiful pink. “My gran used to pick a fresh bouquet from her garden every week, always sending me messages of love with her flowers. It was something only the two of us shared. Our own little language.”

“That’s really sweet.” I smiled, placing my hand on his arm. “I’m sure you miss her a lot.”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” He stared at the ground, a thoughtful expression on his face until his lips tipped into a smile.

“What?” I finally asked.

“It’s funny. I haven’t thought about her secret flower messages in years. Not until, well…you.”

“Really?” I asked, surprised and delighted by his admission.

“Maybe it’s because your name is a type of flower.”

“Lily?” I asked, and he nodded. “And what does a lily symbolize?”

“Lilies can have many meanings, depending on the culture or even the color of the flower itself. Everything from purity and innocence to fertility or even everlasting love.”

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