Page 36 of All You Need Is Love

Not to mention the fact he cared about his job so much he was willing to lie for it, which meant he’d never stay in Walker Beach long term. And, even if she’d bombed her foster care interview and lost her chance at being Noah’s mom, Shannon would never leave the boy alone in Walker Beach. Much as she hated to admit it, there was no future with Marshall St. John.

No scenario in which she gave him her heart and he didn’t break it.

“Shannon. Look at me.”

But she couldn’t, or she’d be a goner. Glancing away, Shannon spotted the daisies on the counter next to them. The perfect excuse. “Oh, I totally forgot that I need to put those flowers in water.”

In two steps, she was out of his embrace and standing by her kitchen sink, rustling in the cabinet underneath. Once she had a medium-sized glass vase in hand, she began to fill it with water.

“You want to know why I got you daisies?”

“Because they were the cheapest flower in the store?” Flecks of water wet her fingertips.

“No.” He chuckled, coming within reach again, leaning against the counter nearby.

She peeked up at him. The intensity rolling off his gaze made her feel like M&Ms in the palm of a hand. Did he know what he was doing to her? How could she possibly maintain her distance with him looking so delicious, being so incredibly sweet?

“It’s because daisies are not roses. They’re not lilies or whatever fancy flowers people buy for an anniversary or a first date or to tell their significant other that they’re special. Daisies are like the underdogs of the floral world.”

Stomach fluttering, she shut off the water and placed the vase on the counter before unwrapping the flowers from the crinkling cellophane. Shannon took the flowers out one by one, assessing where they should go to create the most beautiful bouquet possible.

“But, according to the nice man at the flower shop—”

“Lee Rivas?”

“Yes, him. According to Lee, daisies have a lot of hidden powers, like their medicinal properties.” Marshall picked up a daisy from the cellophane, turning it over and examining it from every angle. “Apparently they’re known as the gardener’s friend because they can ease an aching back.”

“Okay…” Where was he going with this?

Marshall plopped the final daisy into the vase. It’s not where she would have placed it, but nestled in among its friends, it still looked beautiful.

And, oh goodness, now he was only a hairsbreadth away. Goosebumps slid down the curve of her neck.

“Daisies also symbolize purity, beauty, loyal love, and patience. Shannon, they remind me of you.” Leaning toward her, Marshall’s lips brushed the tip of her ear as he lowered his voice, husky yet strong. “You ease the aches of everyone around you, your beauty is pure, and you are loyal in your love and patient with those of us who don’t deserve it.”

She closed her eyes, savoring his words, his nearness.

“And you, Shannon Baker, just like these daisies, are severely underrated.”

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