Page 28 of Between

Between.

The word rang in my head like a bell. It made more sense than I cared to admit.

“Your family made it that way? Does that mean you have the ability to change it?”

He nodded slowly. “Technically, yes, but I have no desire to. Everyone who’s here knows this is how it is, and they agreed to it. Consistency is what’s fair. This is how it will be for the rest of time.”

I looked down at the path, knowing he was right. As much as I’d like to think Uncle Russ could feel the sun on his skin, I knew he couldn’t. This is what he chose.

“Why do they only come out at night?”

Caius sighed quietly through his nose, as if he was figuring a way to give me a simple answer. “It’s one of the conditions.”

I paused. “Conditions?”

Caius paused as well, his eyes meeting mine before turning to look ahead. I followed his gaze.

We reached the end of the path, and before us was a large, long building. Its walls, roof, and doors were all made of glass, making it completely see-through. Black steel beams made up the frame, just like Caius’ house.

Even though it was nighttime, there was a soft glow coming from the inside. I squinted my eyes and leaned forward, trying to get a closer look.

“Come with me,” Caius rumbled, placing his hand on the small of my back.

As soon as Caius opened the door and allowed me through, I was hit with a wave of warm humidity. It stuck to me like a second skin, and I immediately held my arms close to my chest.

But once I was completely in, I took a look around, only to have my breath taken away.

The inside was massive, with rows and rows of fresh greenery covering every inch of tabletop. Flowers lined the first few rows, with every color petal imaginable. There were white and purple lilies, pink and blue orchids, and bright red poinsettias. My eyes scanned all the colors, all the textures, and all the different shaped leaves. There was even an entire row dedicated to different colored roses.

“Oh my God,” I began, my heart thumping, my eyes never moving away from all the different plants.

“This is the greenhouse,” he stated proudly as he stood next to me, his eyes scanning all the plants. He had taken off his suit jacket and hung it up by the door, revealing a plain white button-down shirt. He rolled up the sleeves to his elbows, exposing strong, tattooed arms.

“This is incredible,” I replied, still in awe of the intricacy and production of it all.

A set of misters on the ceiling clicked on, spraying the plants below it with a fine mist. The machines formed a line all the way down to the other side of the greenhouse, the setup ensuring every single plant below it got its water.

Caius stepped away and moved into one of the rows, his hands gently skimming against the damp, green leaves. I stood back at the door with my arms pulled up to my chest.

He turned to say something, but my absence surprised him. After finding me, he nodded his head and gestured for me to come with him, but I stayed where I was.

“I don’t want to get wet.”

He looked up to the sprinklers above and narrowed his eyes. “You won’t. They’re barely on.”

Reluctantly, I walked into the row he was in. My hands dropped to my sides as I kept my attention on the flowers. They were so beautiful, sovibrant,I felt my heart warming and myself growing at ease in here.

With Caius at my side, I could feel his electricity surging in the space between us. He barely kept his distance, his arm almost touching mine, his large frame tall compared to my small one.

Reaching out, I touched a petal.

It was a purple petunia. Enchantment.

I moved to the next set of flowers, which were red geraniums. Happiness and love.

Down the row were blue orchids. Unique beauty.

I stopped at the flower. They were stunning, so perfect in their presentation.

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