Page 30 of The Florist By Chance
The words thud like a dropped stone. My fingers curl into the apron, knuckles tight.
“What kind of offer?” I manage, though my voice feels like glass about to crack.
“To pay higher rent for this space. A lot higher.” His gaze flicks between us. “They want the building if I won’t renew with you. I haven’t decided yet, but?—”
“But?” Luke’s tone is sharp, protective.
“But I need to think of my family. Rising costs, property taxes. Titan’s promise would cover everything.” He looks at me, almost apologetic. “I wanted you to hear it from me first.”
My mouth goes dry. The walls of the shop—the walls that still smell faintly of my mother’s perfume and fresh roses—feel like they’re pressing in, smaller, smaller, smaller.
Luke steps closer to Mr. Kwan, steady but firm. “You’ve had loyal tenants here for years. Titan won’t bring you community, they’ll bring turnover.”
“Luke—” I whisper, but my throat is tight.
Mr. Kwan sighs, shaking his head. “I haven’t agreed yet. But you should prepare yourselves. Titan doesn’t usually take no for an answer.”
And just like that, he’s gone, the bell jangling again as the door swings shut behind him.
Silence settles heavy. The cooler hums. Rain lashes against the windows. My breath feels thin.
Luke curses under his breath, running a hand through his damp hair. “They’re not stopping, are they? Every move we make, Titan’s already one step ahead.”
I lean against the counter, pressing my palms to the cool wood. “If we can’t even afford to stay here, what’s the point?”
“Don’t say that.” His voice snaps sharper than he means, then softens. “Mia, this shop is you. It’s your mom. It’s the heartbeat of this community. Titan can’t take that unless you hand it to them.”
I lift my eyes to his, and the intensity there nearly undoes me. He means it. Every word.
But my chest aches with the truth I can’t shake—trusting him feels like balancing on that cliff edge again. The wind pulling, gravity waiting.
Luke steps closer, slow, deliberate. His presence fills the small space between us. His eyes search mine, steady, unguarded in a way I’ve never seen before.
And suddenly the air is thick with something I can’t name, but I feel it down to my bones.
“Mia,” he says quietly, my name falling from his lips like a vow.
My breath catches. The distance between us is gone, his hand brushing mine on the counter, fingers tentative, waiting. The weight of his nearness pulls at me, magnetic, dangerous.
He leans in, just enough for me to feel the warmth of him, to catch the faint scent of rain on his shirt. My heart pounds so loud I’m sure he hears it.
For one dizzy, terrifying second, I want nothing more than to close the gap. To forget the years of hurt and let myself believe in him again.
But fear spikes sharp. If I fall now, if I trust him and he leaves, I’ll shatter.
At the last second, I turn my face, breaking the almost-kiss. His breath skims my cheek, warm and aching.
“Luke, I—” My voice breaks. “I can’t.”
His jaw tightens, but he nods, stepping back. He doesn’t push, doesn’t demand. Just looks at me with an ache in his eyes that mirrors my own.
The silence is deafening, full of everything unsaid. Outside, the storm rattles against the glass, relentless, like Titan’s shadow pressing closer.
And I know one thing for certain—things between Luke and me can’t go back to the way they were.
Not after this.
Chapter Fourteen
