Page 20 of Finlay

“I don’t mind.” He went behind the counter, so I stepped up to the other side. “Ye can ask me anything you like.”

Please ask me something. Anything. Keep me here a little longer.

He wavered. Something sparked in his eyes as he opened his mouth to speak…

And once again,Reid interrupted the moment.

“Sorry, took me a bit to find it. This is the one, right?”

“Yes.” Chester stepped back, letting Reid sweep in front. “That’s the one.”

Right. The flowers. The whole reason I was here. I forced my gaze away from Chester and down to his creation.

My thoughts eddied out of my mind as the age-old wound reopened once more. There were the flashes of yellow for Maria’s blanket. The pressed flowers I’d caught Chester collecting.

“These are the birds of paradise.” Chester gentlytouched one of the beautiful red and yellow blooms. “I was able to track down some to a hothouse in Glasgow.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision. “They’re beautiful. Ye were right to suggest them.”

His hand touched the back of mine. Just the ghost of a touch, but it broke the tide of my grief, pulling the wave back long enough for me to fill my lungs with air. “Is there anything you’d like me to change or add?”

I shook my head rapidly. “No, it’s perfect as it is. Thank you, Chester.”

And it was. This was something I should’ve done years ago. Decades.But I think I was supposed to wait for this moment. For Chester to be the one. I didn’t think anyone else could’ve captured their essence as he had.

It meant more than anything to me. Suddenly, paying him wasn’t enough. Sure, this was his job, but he’d gone above and beyond.

I wanted to do that for him.

“Do you need a hand carrying it to your car?” Chester was back to being professional, reminding me of the barriers between us. The ones he wanted there.

The ones I wouldn’t cross without an invitation.

Fuck.

Well, hopefully he had someone in his life who’d go above and beyond for him. I wasn’t even jealous of whoever that man might be.

I just hoped he gave this kind soul the happiness he deserved.

“No, I’ll manage.” Ismiled up at the man who’d healed a part of me without even realising it.“Thank ye again. This is truly beautiful.”

The only outward sign of his pleasure was the pink inhis cheeks. He was completely professional as he took my payment and invited me to stop by for any future needs.

I wouldn’t. As delightful as Chester was, I couldn’t. My wolf was already too attached and I knew next to nothing about the man. If I let myself keep coming down here, one day I wouldn’t be able to leave. The control I’d prided myself on would be slowly eroded by Chester’s soft smiles and quiet blushes. I had to exercise it now before it was too late.

I’d have to find a new swimming spot too. Distance was what I needed. Miles upon miles between me and the man who made me feel too much.

“Thank you and take care,” I said, holding Chester’s gaze steadily. “You’re a wonderful person, Chester. I’m so grateful I came in.”

He smiled almost wistfully. “Me too. Take care, Finn.”

My wolf howled as I carefully lifted the box and carried it out of the shop. I took my time putting the box in my boot. I used the excuse that I was making sure it was secure, but in truth, I think I was stalling. Waiting to see if Chester would come out after me. Maybe ask me out for coffee.

Keep dreaming, Finn.

With the box packed in with jumpers and an old scarf I’d found in the back seat, there was no reason to hang around any longer. Closing the boot, I stepped back onto the pavement as the door to the shop opened. My head twisted around so fast that, if I were human, I would’ve got whiplash.

Disappointment hit me like a sledgehammer when it wasn’t Chester who stepped out, but Reid. “Oh good, you’re still here.”

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