Page 25 of A Heart in Bloom

“Come. Sit,” Gwen ordered, grabbing a coffee with his name on it from the table and pressing it into his hand as she nudged him toward the dark leather couch.

“Is this some kind of intervention?” he asked, sinking into the seat they’d saved for him and scanning the group. Even Harper, usually in bed by 8 p.m., was there, which worried him given the big events planned for her the next day.

“Yes. Lauren called and said there’s trouble in paradise. What happened with you and Cammie? You’re perfect for each other, and we’re not about to let you ruin it by being a dumb guy. Spill, and we’ll help you fix it,” Gwen said, punching his arm.

Rubbing the spot where her jab landed, Allen sighed. “I’m not entirely sure. Her ex-fiancé showed up last night, acting like a jerk. I tried to support her without overstepping, and I think I did okay. He eventually left, and I don’t think he’ll be back, but I wouldn’t be surprised if her parents show up tomorrow…”

He trailed off, hesitating to share the rest.

“We need to hear everything,” Becky urged gently. “We’re not here to gossip or interfere. We care about Cammie and want her to be happy. So far, we haven’t heard anything that would put your relationship on ice, but according to Lauren, Cammie froze you out today.”

Rubbing the back of his neck, Allen weighed his options. These women had been like sisters to him since he’d arrived—supportive, kind, and trustworthy. If anyone could help, it was them. He exhaled slowly. “I think… it might’ve been the kiss,” he admitted awkwardly.

“The kiss?” Harper leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Go on. This sounds promising.”

Allen scanned the group, his gaze landing on Anika. She gave him a small, encouraging nod. He took a breath. “She was really shaken when Judson showed up, but by the time he left, I felt like she’d found her footing. She stood her ground, kicked him out—it was like she realized her own strength for the first time. But just as he was leaving, he swept all the spa baskets off the top shelf. The glass shattered everywhere, and I could see it hit herhard. I wanted to go after him, but she just asked me to hold her while she cried.”

He paused, glancing around the room. The women sighed in unison, and Allen noticed Anika discreetly dabbing at a tear.

“It’s not the first time she’s turned to me for comfort, and honestly, I hope it won’t be the last. But… I slipped. I called her sweetheart.” His voice softened. “She looked at me, and I could see it—the longing in her eyes. Then she leaned in for a kiss… and I stopped her.”

“What?” Gwen exclaimed, her tone sharp with disbelief. “Why would you do that? She probably thinks you rejected her!”

“No, I explained it to her,” Allen said, his tone quieter. “I told her I didn’t want our first kiss to be tainted by Judson’s memory. That when it happens, it should be because we both want it and understand where we stand.”

“Is that all you said? Did you tell her how you feel about her?” Anika asked gently.

Allen hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. “No, I didn’t. I didn’t think it was the right time. I asked her to come to dinner so we could talk, but she cried off, said she was going to take a bath and go to bed. This morning… it was clear she worked through the night.”

He stared down at his hands, frustration and uncertainty etched into his features. “I’ll give her time. Hopefully, she’ll come back to me, and we can start again. She’s my soul mate, and if waiting is what it takes, I’ll wait.”

“I wouldn’t wait too long,” Harper said, her voice thoughtful but firm, as the other women nodded in agreement. “It sounds like she had plenty to think about during that bath, and her conclusion was to tuck you into the friend zone. Look at Zach and me. Our friend zone lasted a decade. A decade! If he had been upfront with me—or me with him—we’d have had all those years together as a family.”

“Whatever has her doubting—whether it’s you or herself—you need to tackle it head-on. If her reasons make sense, give her the space she needs. But if they don’t, push through. Get to the other side of it. Don’t let fear or miscommunication do to you what it did to us. You’ve got to decide if this is worth fighting for.”

Allen scanned the room, taking in the expectant looks from the women who had become his extended family. Harper’s words weighed heavy, but they carried undeniable truth. He had to act.

Gwen gave him a sharp slap on the back, jolting him from his thoughts. “That wasn’t a suggestion—it was an order. Go fix this. If my sources are right, she’s pulling another late night or even an all-nighter. Why wait for tomorrow when you can make your move today? Text me what you need for your romantic picnic, and I’ll coordinate with Mrs. Davis.”

“Picnic?” Allen asked, a flicker of confusion crossing his face as he rose from the couch.

Gwen shot him a sly grin. “You’re a smart man. You’ll figure it out.”

Her grin widened as she gave him a playful shove toward the door. “Good night, Prince Charming. Make it count.”

As Allen stepped into the cold night air, the snow crunching beneath his boots, his determination solidified. He wouldn’t let her slip away—not now, not when he’d finally found her.

The clock was ticking, and tomorrow wasn’t soon enough.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Allen shook his head as he made his way back up the snowy street to Camellia’s Creations, trying to figure out what he would say. By the time he let himself in through the back door and shrugged off his coat, he still had no ideas.

Inside, Cammie was hard at work, Women of Country blasting so loud he could hear it down the block—even without his hearing aids. He opened his mouth to ask her to turn it down when a series of loudpop, pop, popppopppopppopperupted, echoing through the room.

Instinct took over. Without thinking, Allen tackled Cammie to the floor, covering her with his body as the popping continued.

Then everything went black, and time blurred.

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