Page 38 of The Art of Loving You

A florist cart caught my eye as I parked. A riot of colors—roses, lilies, sunflowers. Something about them reminded me of her: vibrant and full of life.

“Can I help you?” the vendor asked with a friendly smile.

I scanned the bouquets and landed on one with pale pink roses and white lilies. Simple, beautiful. “That one.”

She wrapped it in tissue paper, tying it with a ribbon before handing it over. As I took the bouquet, some of the tension in my chest eased.

Ella deserved something good—something bright—even if I wasn’t sure how much of that I could be for her.

With the bouquet in hand, I texted her:

Lucas: On my way. Hope you’re hungry?—

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I set the bouquet beside me. For the first time all day, something felt right.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Ella

I sat at a small table in the museum café, stirring my coffee absentmindedly as I glanced toward the entrance. The aroma of fresh espresso and warm cookies filled the air, but my appetite was overshadowed by the anticipation churning in my stomach. It had only been a few days since Lucas last visited, yet everything felt different now—more complicated and heavier.

After a while, Lucas walked into the open-air café, and my eyes immediately met his. He seemed effortlessly polished, despite the burden I knew he was shouldering. His dark suit stood out against the typical attire of museum curators and staff, but what truly captured my attention was the bouquet in his hands—delicate pale pink roses and elegant white lilies, beautifully wrapped in tissue paper.

I blinked in surprise. Before I could say anything, a small, excited voice cut through the café noise.

“Lucas!”

Bess came bounding toward him, her yellow dress a bright pop of color as she threw her arms around his waist. Lucas let out a startled laugh, crouching down to hug her.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he said, lightly tweaking her nose. “What are you doing here?”

Bess grinned up at him. “It’s Bring Your Child to Work Day! Aunt Ella almost forgot until I called her this morning and reminded her to bring my favorite dress!”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “Guilty. She keeps me organized.”

Lucas smiled, his eyes lingering on me before he stood and handed me the bouquet. “These are for you.”

My breath caught for just a second. The soft petals, the delicate scent—I hadn’t expected this. Not today. Not with everything going on in his life.

“They’re beautiful,” I said, brushing my fingers over the blooms. “Thank you.”

Lucas shrugged, but there was something earnest in his expression. “I just thought you deserved something nice today.” He gestured toward the museum’s roped-off area where construction on the Chagall Exhibit was underway. “Looks like things are moving along.”

“Yes, thanks to your help.” Warmth spread through my chest. I wanted to say more, to tell him how much his kindness meant to me, but Bess was already tugging on my sleeve.

“Aunt Ella, can I go eat pizza with the other kids? Maria said she’s ordering different kinds!”

I smiled down at her. “Of course. Just check in with Maria when you get there.”

Bess gave Lucas one more quick hug before darting off, her curls bouncing as she ran to the far side of the café where the kids were gathered.

“Guess that means we’re officially off duty,” Lucas said, watching her go.

I gestured toward the table. “Then sit down. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

Lucas slid into the seat across from me, his hands wrapping around the coffee cup I had ordered for him. He took a slow sip before setting it down, exhaling as if he was bracing himself for the conversation ahead.

“I met with Lopez this morning,” he started. “He’s going to check with my father’s attorney, Frank Curtain, to see if the trust has actually been revoked.”

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