Page 71 of Brittle Heart

He smiles and places a hand on my lower back, guiding me to the other end of the living room. There, on a hutch, I notice two vases filled with flowers—one with lilies and the other with an assortment of flowers in various colors.

He takes the vase with the different flowers and offers it to me. I take it, gazing down at the stunning arrangement. Having so many different flowers together shouldn’t work, but it’s a harmonious burst of colors and undeniably beautiful.

“It’s twenty-two stems for your twenty-second birthday. I didn’t know what your favorite flowers are, but I thought, why should you have to choose when I can give you all of them?” he explains, his dimples nearly melting me.

Why is he so handsome?

Why are all of them so handsome?

And now he’s considerate and kind too, buying me flowers? No one has bought me flowers before, and this incredibly sweet gesture is the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever been given. I bite my lip, my nose tingling and my eyes welling up.

“You don’t like them,” Josh states, noticing my reaction.

My eyes shoot up to meet his sorrowful gaze. “No! I love them. Thank you,” I say, gently touching a pink rose with my fingertips.

“You’re into roses? I need to know so I can buy you the right ones next time.” He grins.

My heart flutters.Next time?“No, my favorite flowers are these. If you want to buy me flowers, please let them be exactly like this,” I whisper.

“All right, just twenty-three stems next year.” He chuckles, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear that had fallen into my face.

Can it be? Is he flirting with me?

We share a brief moment of locked gazes until Clay interrupts, yelling, “Cake!”

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

Clay

“What kind of cakes did you make?” I ask Sophia, pulling Xander into a side hug.

As I gaze outside through the glass garden door, I notice that it has started to snow. Thick flakes gracefully descend, covering everything in a pristine white blanket. I’ve always loved it when it snows. It has a way of transforming the world, making everything so incredibly beautiful.

“Chocolate, red velvet, and pumpkin cream pie,” she says, pointing toward the kitchen where the cakes are displayed.

“Ugh.” I let out a sigh, tilting my head back. “I’ll never escape that one, will I?” I ask, exasperated.

Xander leans down and plants a kiss on my temple before letting out a chuckle. “Pumpkin cream pie is the best pie ever invented,” he says, amusement evident in his voice.

I lean away from him, shaking my head. “Nah-uh, it’s the bane of my existence.”

“No birthday of mine without a pumpkin cream pie,” Sophia singsongs.

“No…” I point a finger at her, “… pumpkin pie should not be turned into a damn cream pie. It’s a crime against nature.”

“You little drama queen, it’s not. Your mom sure knew how to bake,” Sophia remarks.

“She sure did.” Xander pulls me into a tight hug.

Fuck, I miss her.

As I step back, I notice Carolina and Josh standing in front of each other. She holds a bouquet of flowers, and he gently tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. The chemistry between them is practically visible, sparks flying in the air. Sophia jumps slightly when I yell a moment later.

“Cake!” I make my way over to the kitchen, where the cakes are on display. “Who wants some? Babe, which one do you want?” I ask Xander, glancing out of the corner of my eye to see Josh and Carolina walking over to us.

“Do you really have to ask?” Xander whispers in my ear, his hands finding their way to my waist.

“I’m not going to kiss you after you’ve eaten that,” I state.

---