Page 52 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

The weight of his words settled in the air between us, charged with meaning I wasn't quite ready to examine. I turned away, focusing instead on the practical aspects of the space.

"The lighting is perfect for flowers," I observed, changing the subject. "Natural but diffused. And these workbenches are at just the right height." I ran my hand along the surface of the center island. "This will be ideal for the Sullivan wedding arrangements."

"I'm glad it works for you," Gabriel replied, accepting my pivot to safer ground. "Theo's ordered all the supplies on your list, plus a few extras he thought might be useful. They should arrive after breakfast tomorrow.”

"And the flowers for the wedding?" I asked, mentally reviewing the complex order that would need to be completed in just a few days.

"Scheduled to arrive by early afternoon tomorrow," Gabriel confirmed. "Dakota will pick them up personally to ensure they arrive in peak condition."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by this level of involvement. "Dakota doesn't strike me as the flower delivery type."

Gabriel's lips quirked in amusement. "He's not. But he takes protection duties seriously, and right now, your flowers fall under that umbrella."

"My knight in scowling armor," I quipped, earning a genuine chuckle from Gabriel that transformed his usually serious face.

"He grows on you," Gabriel assured me, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Like moss. Or fungus."

I laughed, the sound echoing through the greenhouse. It felt good to laugh, to experience this moment of levity amid the chaos of the past few days. I found myself studying Gabriel's face—the way his entire expression transformed when he smiled, the slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes, the warmth that replaced his usual intensity.

"What?" he asked, catching me staring.

"Nothing," I said quickly, looking away. "Just... I haven't laughed much lately. It feels nice."

Gabriel's expression softened. "It suits you. The laughter." I ducked my head, suddenly self-conscious. There was something about Gabriel that made me feel exposed, as if he could see beneath the careful layers of independence I'd built around myself. It was unsettling and comforting all at once.

"I should probably head back inside," I said reluctantly, running my fingers along a dusty shelf. "I'd like to explore the rest of the house if that's okay. Get my bearings."

"Of course," Gabriel agreed, pushing himself away from the workbench. "This is your temporary home. You should feel comfortable navigating it."

As we walked back toward the main house, I found myself sneaking glances at him. The morning light softened his features, highlighting the angles of his face in a way that made him look younger, less burdened by whatever weight he usually carried.

"Thank you for sharing that with me," I said quietly as we approached the back door. "About your mother.”

Gabriel paused, his hand on the door handle. For a moment, he seemed caught off guard by my words, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features before his usual composure returned.

"You're welcome," he said simply, but the warmth in his voice carried more meaning than the words themselves. "It's been a long time since I've talked about her."

We stepped back into the house, the controlled temperature a stark contrast to the humid warmth of the greenhouse. The hallway stretched before us, sunlight streaming through windows and illuminating polished hardwood floors.

The first floor contained the spacious living room I'd glimpsed earlier, a formal dining room that looked rarely used, and a well-equipped home gym tucked away by the sunroom. There were Two bedrooms on this floor, one I was using and a guest bedroom.

"Dakota and Lucas spend most of their free time in there," Gabriel explained as we passed the gym. "They claim it helps them think."

I nodded, as i continued to follow Gabriel.

"This is technically my grandfather's house," Gabriel explained as we climbed the wide staircase to the second floor. "It's been in the family for generations. When I formed the pack, it made sense for us all to live here. Plenty of space, privacy, and good security."

"It's beautiful," I said, admiring the craftsmanship of the wooden banister beneath my fingertips. "Not what I expected for a house full of Alphas."

Gabriel quirked an eyebrow. "What did you expect? Spartan furnishings and protein powder everywhere?"

I laughed, picturing the stereotypical Alpha bachelor pad. "Something like that. Lots of black leather, maybe a few broken things from testosterone-fueled outbursts."

Gabriel's lips quirked into that small smile I was beginning to recognize. "Sorry to disappoint. We're fairly civilized most of the time."

The second floor housed the pack's personal spaces. Gabriel pointed out rooms as we passed them—Dakota's domain at the far end of the hall, Lucas's slightly messy quarters with the door half-open, revealing rumpled bedding and clothes draped over a chair, and Theo's meticulously organized room with bookshelves lining every wall.

"And this is my office," Gabriel said, pausing at a door near the staircase. "If you ever need me and can't find me elsewhere, this is where I am.” Then we went to the last door, and he gave me a small smile.

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