Page 33 of Forever Love at Fleur's Flower Shop

‘That’s right. And this is my promise to you that no matter what, I’ll stick by you.’ Lowering the boxes to the ground between them, Matty slid the ring onto Fleur’s finger.

Looking down at it, she twisted it around her finger. It was beautiful, the delicate design intricate. ‘It’s beautiful.’

Matty smiled.

Picking up the box containing the one she’d made for him, she took it out and slid it over his knuckle. ‘And I promise to always love you.’

As he leaned forward, his lips touched hers before he brought his arms around her, pulling her towards him.

With every second she stayed in his strong embrace, she felt her muscles relax, her mind filling with hope. Pulling back, she frowned as she traced the pad of her index finger over his full lips. ‘You’re not scared that I’ll hurt you again?’

Without a single pause, he answered, ‘Not one bit.’

Nodding, Fleur leaned back towards him. This was it. This was forever.

Epilogue

‘Are you ready for the Valentine’s Day Dance?’ Matty paused outside the town hall and looked at Fleur.

With her hand in his, she was ready for anything and if the laughter, chatter and music escaping the open door to the hall were anything to go by, everyone inside sounded as though they were having a good time. She looked down at her red dress, the satin fabric clinging to all the right places. They were late, two hours late to be precise, but she wasn’t worried about turning up late. No, she was more concerned about the two of them walking in together. Yes, they’d rekindled their relationship a week ago now, and some people knew, their friends, Matty’s family, the people who were closest to them, but it was the reaction from the wider community she was more concerned about. What if they tried to warn him off her?

Matty leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘We’ll have fun.’

‘I know.’ Fleur nodded. He wasn’t worried, so maybe she shouldn’t be either. After all, the people who cared about them were over the moon for the pair of them, so did anyone else’s opinion really matter? After fixing a smile to her face, she nodded and led the way towards the door. ‘I’m ready.’

Once she’d stepped inside, Fleur paused, giving her senses the time to adjust to the flashing lights from the makeshift dance floor and the volume of the music. It was busy. There must have been at least ninety-nine percent of Nettleford’s population crammed into the hall. She gripped Matty’s hand tighter in hers before leaning back towards him. ‘At least most people are here, meaning we can get this over and done with.’

‘This?’ Matty frowned.

‘Letting people know we’re back together.’ Fleur spoke quietly.

‘That’s very true and there are enough gossips in the town to make sure everyone else knows by midnight.’ Matty chuckled.

‘Exactly.’ Nodding, Fleur pulled her free hand up to her lips.

Twisting her so she was facing him, Matty took her hand away from her mouth before leaning in and kissing her right there in full view of everyone. ‘Do you think they’ll get the hint now?’

Shaking her head, Fleur laughed as she spotted Martha nudging Marty before she pointed her finger towards them. ‘Oh, I think so.’

‘Good, let’s go again. Make sure no one missed the announcement.’ Matty leaned in again, this time resting his hand against the nape of her neck as their lips touched.

Reacting to his touch, Fleur took a step closer to him, the hustle and bustle of the hall fading out of focus. She had Matty back. When he eventually pulled away, she stepped back slightly and watched as Bea bounded up to them, Scott a short step behind her.

‘Fleur, how are you? I’m so pleased you came.’ Bea hugged her friend as Scott and Matty said their hellos. ‘I was so worried about you.’

‘No need. I’m fine. Thank you for being there with me when I got the letters.’ Fleur glanced around the hall, pleased to seethe rose filled vases taking centre stage on each of the tables and a basket full of her bouquets sitting on the counter next to the serving hatch at the other end of the hall. ‘And thank you for sorting the flowers.’

‘No worries.’ Stepping back, Bea gripped her friend’s forearm. ‘And you’re okay?’

Fleur nodded firmly. ‘I am. It was all a huge shock, but I’m okay now. I promise.’

‘Good.’ Placing one hand on her chest, Bea glanced behind her at a crowd of people who had congregated close to them before she took Scott’s hand. ‘We’d better leave you for a while. It looks as though we might be monopolising your time.’

Fleur grimaced as she followed Bea’s gaze. Sure enough, Matty’s plan had worked. Ten or so people were huddling close to them, some standing back a little, clearly just there to eavesdrop, whilst others were patiently waiting in somewhat of a queue to speak to Fleur and Matty. She tugged on Matty’s sleeve.

‘Oh.’ Matty wrapped his arm around her waist and grinned as he faced the first of the curious Nettleford residents. ‘Evening, Helen, and Jonathon. How are you enjoying the dance?’

Walking across to them, Helen batted Matty’s question away. ‘Enough with the small talk. We both know why we’re here.’

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