Page 48 of Wood You Knot

I joined her in the kitchen, staying about a foot away from her, and watched as she arranged the bouquet in the vase. She touched a petal, her expression suddenly contemplative.

“I hope you like them. I wasn’t sure what your favourite flower was…” She turned her head the moment I spoke.

“I love them. They’re beautiful, truly,” Sage assured me, her smile tender before she returned her attention to arranging the flowers in the vase.

Chapter Seventeen

Sage

For a moment, all I could do was stare in wonderment at the beautiful arrangement of flowers Nix brought. I didn’t know the names of all the different flowers, but they were stunning. An enchanting assemblage of various shades of purples and pinks, with light peach, green, and yellow throughout.

The date hadn’t even officially begun yet, and I was already a goner—already completely free falling. With this one action, Nix had shown me he was thoughtful and considerate—and romantic.

It wasn’t like it was the first time a man had brought me flowers, so I shouldn’t be so affected by the action. But none had come close to this dazzling selection. None had put the thought into getting me an arrangement that was unique and beautiful.

In the past, Warren had bought me flowers. Always roses. Usually for my birthday, Valentine’s Day, or as an apology after he said or did something that upset me. I hadn’t liked roses before I’d met Warren, but throughout my time with him, I’d really grown to hate them and what they symbolized.

But this? This was…something completely different.

This is precisely why I’d spent the greater part of the day panicking while talking to Nellie. After I’d dropped Daphne off, I was left alone with my thoughts and almost canceled on Nix fifty times before Nellie talked sense into me.

I’d been worried because I felt it was too soon to be feeling these kinds of feelings. Nix was no stranger to me, but…I wasn’t sure my heart could handle another disappointment.

Nellie had done her best to assure me one date wouldn’t make or break me, that it was good to get out there and start seeing other people, but I was already a puddle at his feet over flowers.

“I’m glad you love them,” Nix said, his voice coaxing me back from my ruminating. He was standing with his hands in his pockets. “I can’t take any credit for it, I won’t lie. Ezra, the owner of Hartwood Creek Flowers, picked them all out.”

“Well, they’re lovely. Thank you.” I smiled again before moving to grab my sweater and purse off the island.

“You ready to go?” Nix asked, arching a brow as he slid his hands out of his pockets.

“Sure am,” I replied, hoping my tone didn’t give away how nervous I was. But the easy smile Nix gave me worked to ease my nerves, and I found myself relaxing in his company.

I locked up the apartment, and we headed down the stairs. He opened the door to the street and put his hand on the small of my back as we walked toward his truck.

He’d parked out front of the hardware store, and I tried not to look in the windows, knowing that Uncle Ed was working—and likely able to see us.

Nix opened the passenger door, holding it open for me so I could climb in. He closed it once I was comfortably inside, walking around the front of his truck. My stomach growled when the scent of take-away hit my nostrils, and I glanced down at the boxes beside me as I buckled up my seat belt. Seeing The Hungry Hub logo stamped on the white boxes only made me hungrier.

I hadn’t eaten much throughout the day, aside from a banana this morning while Daphne had eggs. My nerves were running high, so I didn’t have an appetite. I’d been too focused on getting Daphne ready for her sleepover, dropping her off, and then talking to Nellie on video call while I panicked and tried to find something to wear. I hadn’t had the time or focus to worry about food, but the scent from the take-away boxes made me regret that choice.

He opened his door, climbing into the cab with more ease than I’d managed, and sent me a crooked smile that made me feel all swoony with butterflies taking flight in my belly, replacing the hunger pangs.

“So…what do you have planned for us?” I asked him as he buckled his seat belt.

“You’ll see.” His smile turned to one of secrecy as he turned the key in the ignition, the truck roaring to life.

Nix checked his blind spots, then pulled out and drove down Main Street, turning left. We passed the historic, touristy shops and gas lamps that lined the side of the street.

We kept driving for a little while longer, out of town and down a private road, driving until we reached a gate with a padlock. “Okay, now I’m really curious…where are we headed?” I asked when Nix stopped the truck.

“I thought we’d have dinner on the beach—well, on the private beach,” he said with a grin as he turned the engine off and took the keys. He disappeared long enough to unlock the padlock and open the gates before he climbed back into the truck and started the ignition, driving out onto the secluded beach.

Once we’d passed the gates, he hopped out and closed them before returning. Then he drove down the beach a little before turning so the bed of the truck faced the water, and the front of the truck faced the wooded area.

Nix cut the ignition and glanced across the cab at me. “Just let me set up, you hang tight for a minute,” he instructed, smiling as he opened his door and climbed out.

“Okay…if you’re sure. I don’t mind helping.”

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