Page 11 of Claiming My Nemesis

She chuckled softly, clearly used to customers like me. “Well, that’s what I’m here for. Do you have anything in mind? A particular flower or color scheme?”

“No roses,” I said quickly, realizing that was the only thing I was sure of. “Other than that, I’m open to suggestions.”

The florist nodded thoughtfully. “Are these flowers for a special occasion?”

“Not exactly,” I said, feeling a bit out of my depth. “It’s more of a gesture. I want to show someone that I’m thinking about them.”

She smiled warmly, understanding my intent. “Well, it’s important to make the right impression. Do you know anything about what this person likes?”

I hesitated for a moment, and then an idea struck me. “She’s a preschool teacher,” I said. “What about something in an apple vase? It might be a little corny, but I think it could be a nice touch.”

The florist’s face lit up with approval. “Actually, that’s a wonderful idea. Teachers love those kinds of thoughtful details. It’s playful but still meaningful.”

About to nod in agreement, the florist's eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of recognition crossing her face. "Wait, is this for Natalie?"

I felt a little caught off guard, but then I remembered—small towns. “Yeah,” I admitted, feeling a bit sheepish. “It is.”

Her smile turned, knowing. “Oh, then I’ve got just the thing. Natalie loves bright colors and something with a bit of personality. How about a mix of sunflowers and daisies? They’re cheerful, just like her, and the apple vase will give it that charming, personal touch.”

Feeling a sense of relief wash over me, I replied. “That sounds perfect.”

As the florist began arranging the flowers, I found myself relaxing a little. Maybe this was the right move after all. Hopefully, this gesture will help me show Natalie that I was serious about getting to know her better, even if I wasn’t quite sure where things would go from here.

Six

Natalie

The swing in the deserted schoolyard swayed, its chains creaking softly, while I put the final touches on arranging my classroom. The weekend had been a blur of thoughts, emotions, and the lingering sensation of Ethan’s touch.

I’d tried to keep myself busy, hoping the routine would help me regain some sense of normalcy, but it was no use. Every time I closed my eyes, I was back in that moment with him—dancing, laughing, and eventually letting go of my reservations just long enough to experience something I hadn’t felt in a long time: connection.

I sighed, placing the last stack of workbooks on a shelf, and stood back to admire my work. The classroom was ready for the week ahead, a small victory in an otherwise chaotic tangle of emotions. I grabbed my purse and keys, intending to head home and immerse myself in a steamy bath. Maybe that would keep my mind off things. Maybe.

But as I stepped out into the parking lot, my thoughts came to an abrupt halt. There, leaning casually against my car, wasEthan, holding a bouquet of flowers in an apple-shaped vase. The sight of him made my heart skip a beat, and for a split second, I considered ducking back inside to avoid whatever conversation was about to happen. But it was too late—he’d already seen me, and his smile was both confident and slightly nervous.

I walked over, my steps measured and cautious. “Ethan,” I greeted, trying to keep my tone neutral. The last thing I needed was for him to see just how much his presence was affecting me.

“Hey, Natalie.” He straightened up, his grip firm on the vase. “I thought I’d surprise you.”

Surprise didn’t even begin to cover it. My eyes fell on the flowers—sunflowers and daisies, bright and cheerful, their petals catching the sunlight in a way that made them seem almost alive. It was a beautiful gesture, one that touched me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. But I quickly masked my surprise with a polite smile, my mind racing with questions.

“For me?” I asked, my voice lighter than I felt inside.

He handed me the arrangement, and for a moment, our hands brushed together. The contact sent a new jolt of excitement through me. “Yeah,” he replied, his smile softening. “I saw these and thought they’d brighten your day.”

I took the arrangement, my fingers brushing over the smooth surface of the apple vase. It was a sweet gesture, the kind of thing that would have made me swoon once upon a time. But now, with everything that had happened, it only made me more wary. What did he want from me? What was the purpose behind this unexpected kindness?

“Thank you,” I said, keeping my voice calm and controlled, even though my emotions were anything but. “It’s lovely.”

Ethan’s smile grew, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—nervousness, maybe—that made me pause. Was he as uncertain as I was? The thought made my chest tighten, areminder that I wasn’t the only one struggling with conflicting emotions.

We stood there by my car; the atmosphere between us thick with unspoken words. My mind raced, darting between the present and past experiences. How many times had Jason tried to win me over with grand gestures after a misunderstanding or an argument, only for me to realize later that they were just his way of smoothing things over without addressing the real issues? The memory made me cautious, even as I clutched the vase a little tighter.

Ethan seemed to sense my hesitation. “It’s just flowers, Natalie,” he said with a small, almost apologetic laugh. “I’m not trying to overstep or anything. I just… I don’t know. I wanted to do something nice.”

His attempt to lighten the mood helped, but it didn’t completely dispel the questions swirling in my mind. Why was he here, really? Was this just another way to ease the uncertainty from our unexpected tryst, or was there something more to it?

I forced a smile, trying to push past my doubts. “It’s a thoughtful gesture, Ethan. I appreciate it.”

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