Page 68 of Boarded Hearts

It’s then that an idea pops into my head.“Hey, why don’t you head over to my mom and dad’s again tomorrow? I can let them know you’re coming. Gerard can drive you.”

“Hmmm. I don’t know. I love them but visiting on my own without you? Seems a bit weird.”

I shake my head, casting my mind back to the way she was with Adam. Felicity is meant to be a part of my family. “It won’t, and besides, I think Adam’s back for the weekend again. You made an impression on him; he hasn’t stopped asking when you’ll visit next.”

“Yeah, I guess we did kind of hit it off. I think it was our love for gardening that did it.”

“MORGAN. ICE. NOW!” Coach Burrows’s voice booms down the hallway into the locker room.

Grabbing my stick, I stand. “Give me two minutes, Coach!”

Silence. He’s clearly gone back to the rink. I’m going to be up shit creek with him if I play like crap tonight.

“Jon, you have to go.” She clearly heard his boom too.

I do need to go, but more than that I need to know about this gardening passion of hers. “It’s fine. How did I not know you love gardening?”

Felicity sighs. “Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed but there aren’t many backyards in Seattle. Plus, it’s more of a past love. I used to care for my mum and dad’s garden back in Oxford. They had this amazing acre of land.” I can hear the sunny tone appear in her voice; she’s clearly recalling their house. “It was a real English country garden, with peonies, Avalanche roses, hyacinths, ah, you name it that garden had it. So, I guess speaking to Adam brought back happy memories. That is until?—”

The hairs on the back of my neck bristle, knowing exactly where this is going. “Until what?”

“Until he sold the house, saying the garden was too much upkeep. Especially with me insisting on working full time.”

He really is a piece of shit.

“Go to Mom and Dad’s tomorrow, yeah? Even if just for Adam; he’s been having a rough time, and the way he transformed last week…trust me that it had nothing to do with me, Mom, or Dad.” I kind of feel like a dick for putting that last part on her, but something tells me Adam’s bond isn’t unrequited.

She doesn’t take much convincing. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

“I’ll let them know. Look, I really do have to go now, but I’ll call you after the game.”

“Good luck, baby. Play well. Me and my little chocolate fudge brownie here will be watching.”

Baby. Well, shit. Now I’m going to have the best game of my life.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

FELICITY

It’s a good thing I don’t suffer from allergies.

Since Jon discovered my love of flowers, he’s sent me a daily delivery of my favorite blooms, alternating between pink English peonies, pink and white Avalanche roses, and today he’s changed it up with an elaborate display of pink, purple, and yellow hyacinths. Each bouquet has arrived tied with an emerald bow. At this point, I’m finding it near impossible to understand how he hasn’t dated before. I mean, come on, if I dreamt up my perfect man, he wouldn’t be a patch on Jon Morgan.

Me

*Sends picture of latest flower arrangement.*

Oh, hello hyacinths. I’m running out of room on my desk. Thank you, baby.

It takes less than a minute to receive a reply.

Jon

Take them back to my apartment with you.

I don’t want to clutter your tidy living space.

Take them back. That’s an order, Felicity.

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