Page 37 of Wildflower Hearts
“And ended up taking a nosedive!” Elias finished, still chuckling. “Ma had to come rescue him.”
As the stories flowed, they shared tales of summer adventures, sibling rivalries, and the chaos of family game nights. In that moment, surrounded by playful banter and the comfort of family, the worries she had about being an outsider faded away.
A few hours later, Noah and Lyla stepped outside, the evening air cool against their skin. The sun was setting, and they walked side by side toward her car.
“Thanks for tonight. I didn’t expect it to be so much fun.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
As they reached her car, a moment of stillness fell between them. She turned to face him, feeling her heart race. “I really had a great time tonight. I didn’t expect to feel so… comfortable.”
“I’m really glad you’re in my life again, Lyla. I’ve missed this." He took a step closer, his expression turning serious. "I’ve missed you.”
Her breath caught in her throat at the intensity in his eyes. “I’ve missed you, too.”
Noah moved even closer, their faces just inches apart. The world around them faded, and in that moment, everything felt right. “Can I…?” he began, but the question hung in the air unspoken.
“Yes.”
With a gentle, tentative movement, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft at first, a sweet exploration that sent a rush of warmth through her. When he pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting together, both of them smiled.
“Good night, Lyla.”
“Good night, Noah.”
As she made her way through the bustling hospital corridor, she could hear the familiar laughter of her colleagues echoing from the nurses' station. She rounded the corner, and the moment she entered their line of sight, the playful teasing began.
“There she is!” Melissa exclaimed, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. “The star of the show!”
Lyla raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, come on,” another nurse chimed in, a teasing grin on her face. “Noah’s been here every day this week. We’re starting to think he’s more dedicated than you are, and that’s impossible!”
She felt her cheeks heat up. “He’s just being nice. It’s not a big deal.”
“Not a big deal?” Melissa shot back, feigning shock. “Lyla, he brings you coffee and always asks about your day! It’s practically a romance novel in the making.”
“Maybe you should write a love letter to him,” another nurse suggested, giggling. “You know, ‘Dear Noah, thank you for your daily dose of caffeine and charm.’”
“You guys are ridiculous! He’s my friend.”
“Uh-huh, sure,” Melissa said, rolling her eyes. “He’s a friend that wants to jump your bones.”
“You guys are impossible,” she said, trying to sound annoyed but failing to hide her smile.
Despite their teasing, she found herself glancing at the clock, eager for the next time their paths would cross.
The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the city as Lyla waited outside the book store. She fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. Their last date had been filled with laughter and shared stories, and she found herself looking forward to this one all week. As if on cue, Noah appeared, walking toward her and holding a small bouquet of vibrant wildflowers, their colors bright against the evening light.
“Hey. I couldn’t come empty-handed.”
Her eyes widened in delight as he presented the flowers to her. “Wow, these are beautiful! You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” he said, his expression sincere. “You’ve been working so hard lately. I thought you could use a little brightness.”
She accepted the bouquet and inhaled their sweet fragrance. “Thank you, Noah. This is so thoughtful.” She felt a flutter of warmth spread through her as she tucked the flowers into her bag.
“Ready for another adventure?”
