Page 35 of The Florist By Chance
When it’s my turn, I rise. My knees threaten to wobble, but I straighten, shoulders back, chin lifted. “With all due respect,” I begin, voice a little rough, “this isn’t just about rent or revenue. This shop is part of the heart of our town. My mother built it to bring beauty, connection, and care to everyone here. And I intend to keep it that way.”
A murmur of approval rolls through the chamber. I feel Luke’s hand brush mine under the table—light, steady, grounding. The smallest touch, and it’s like he’s saying wordlessly:I’m with you.
I let the warmth of that certainty flow through me. “We’ve faced challenges before. We’ve had setbacks. But we are more than a business—we are a community. And Titan’s promises may look appealing on paper, but they can’t replace the heart, the history, or the people who’ve built this with love.”
Titan’s jaw tightens. “Emotional appeals don’t pay the bills,” he sneers.
I swallow and push forward, louder, firmer. “No, they don’t. But they build something stronger than any contract ever could. And that’s worth fighting for. That’s why we’re here. That’s why this town is here. And that’s why our floral shop stays.”
The room erupts into applause—some polite, some enthusiastic, some from neighbors who’ve stood by me all along. I glance at Luke, and for the first time in weeks, I let myself exhale fully. Relief and pride bloom in my chest.
He squeezes my hand under the table, eyes warm, unshakable. I realize something then, something quiet and steady in the pit of my chest: I trust him. Completely. After everything, after the hesitation, the walls, the almost-kiss, the late nights at the shop—I trust him. And I know he’ll always stand beside me.
Titan slams his hand against the table, eyes blazing. “This isn’t over!” he hisses, voice echoing in the chamber. Chairs scrape as he storms out, the doors rattling behind him.
The room is still for a heartbeat, then murmurs ripple through the council and townsfolk. Luke’s hand finds mine under the table, steadying me, grounding me. I squeeze back, and for the first time in weeks, I feel a flicker of calm.
He leans close, whispering just enough for me to hear, “No matter what he does next, we’re ready. Together.”
I nod, heart pounding, cheeks flushed—not from fear, but from something warmer, steadier. “Together,” I echo, letting the word settle between us like a vow.
Outside, the town carries on, unaware of the storm Titan promises to bring. But inside me—and in the hold Luke has on my hand—I know we’re not facing it alone.
The council session resumes, but my eyes keep drifting to Luke. There’s trust there now, quiet and certain. And for the first time, I believe we can face whatever Titan throws at us next.
The tension hasn’t left, not entirely. Titan may have left the room, but the fight is far from over. And I can feel it, buzzing like electricity in the air, a warning—and a promise—that the next chapter is coming.
Sunlight spills into the shop, cutting through the lingering tension from the town council meeting. The shop feels alive again, but not fully safe—Titan may have stormed out, but his threats hang over us like a shadow that hasn’t fully lifted.
I move between the arrangements, hands steady, mind racing with every word I spoke in the meeting. Luke’s beside me, leaning against the counter, eyes soft but alert, always scanning, always protective.
“You held your own in there,” he murmurs, voice low, almost reverent. “I wasn’t worried,” I snap quickly, though my heart is still hammering. Then I soften, letting a small smile tug at my lips. “Maybe a little.”
He grins, just the hint of teasing returning, but it doesn’t mask the pride in his gaze. I glance up, and for a heartbeat, I let myself breathe. I trust him now, in a way that feels like sunlight through storm clouds—steady, warming, impossible to ignore.
The shop’s bell jingles and the first customers trickle in, offering smiles, congratulations, small gifts. The town is behindus, still, and the support is tangible. But we both know Titan isn’t done. Not by a long shot.
Luke steps closer, brushing a hand over mine as we arrange a bouquet together. The gesture is quiet, grounding. “Whatever comes next,” he says, eyes meeting mine, “we face it together. You don’t have to do this alone anymore.”
I squeeze his hand in response, feeling the weight of every late night, every challenge, and every unspoken promise. “I know,” I murmur, letting the words carry both trust and relief.
The sun shifts, casting longer shadows across the shop, and the unease lingers. Titan’s storm may have passed for now, but the fight isn’t over. Outside, the town continues its day, blissfully unaware of the scheming still at play.
I straighten, taking a deep breath, and look at Luke. “We keep going. We protect the shop. And we make sure he knows—Collins Flowers isn’t going anywhere.”
He nods, a small, determined smile curling his lips. “Exactly.”
For now, we have the town behind us, the shop intact, and each other. And as much as the tension hums beneath the surface, I feel something else too—hope. Determined, stubborn, unyielding hope.
Chapter Sixteen
The shop smells like rain-washed roses, rich earth, and the faint hint of victory. It’s quieter than usual—no chaos, no neighbors dropping in unannounced, no urgent orders demanding our attention. Just the soft hum of the cooler and the gentle rustle of petals settling in their vases. I lean against the counter, arms crossed, letting the moment stretch. We’ve won—at least for now. Titan has backed off, the town rallied behind us, and the shop still stands.
And yet, despite all that, it’s not the victory that has my chest tight. It’s her. Mia. She moves through the shop with the ease of someone who belongs, arranging blooms with care, adjusting stems with that precise tilt that I’ve watched her perfect over the years. Watching her now, her laughter floating softly across the room, I feel something I can’t ignore.
I clear my throat, trying to ground myself. “You make all this look effortless,” I say, nodding toward the displays and bouquets around us.
She glances up, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Effortless, huh? You mean chaotic, exhausting, and full of neighbors who think they can teach me a thing or two about floral design?”
