The rest of the week flew by, and the weekend was almost here. Everyone at the flower shop was buzzing about the party. Even though I wasn’t thrilled about going, I knew I couldn’t come up with an excuse to avoid it.
I found it interesting how the flower shop operated more like a business than just a local store.
We supplied flowers for high-profile events and surprises for big companies each month.
I had gotten so used to the shop that I started wondering if I might want to open my own one day.
As the weekend approached, I knew I had to attend the party to show my appreciation.
On Saturday, I prepared for the event with caution. I tried on a few outfits before settling on something simple but presentable. I wanted to look nice without drawing too much attention.
At noon, an S-Class Mercedes parked outside the gate. I saw it from my window just as Mason called to tell me to come outside.
I was wearing a sundress that fit well, with a handbag slung over my shoulder. I checked myself in the mirror, having applied a bit of makeup for a natural look. I thought I looked great.
Mason had asked me to persuade Sydney to tag along, but I wasn’t able to since Sydney said she would have to meet with an important client that same day.
I knew she was trying to say no politely. I made my way downstairs and walked to the gate. The helpers around greeted me, and I returned their greetings with a polite smile.
Opening the door, I was surprised to see Ethan sitting instead of Mason. I furrowed my brow and asked, “I thought Mason was coming to pick me up.”
“Hello, Nadine,” Ethan said, ignoring my question.
“Hi,” I said as I made myself comfortable. I looked at him, waiting for an explanation.
“What?” he asked, looking right back at me.
“I thought Mason was picking me up.”
Ethan groaned. “Nadine, I’m here to pick you up. Aren’t you happy to see me? To settle your curiosity, Mason had to take care of some things for the party,” he said, with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “Mason called to say he would be picking me up, and I got a call from him right before coming outside. So, I was surprised to see you.”
“Okay, I understand,” Ethan said, giving me a once-over that made me shudder. “You look nice today.”
I blushed at his compliment about my simple dress. “Thank you,” I said, looking him over. “You’re looking nice, too, with your T-shirt and jeans.”
Ethan smiled. “Thanks, coming from you, it means a lot to me,” he said with a wink, then focused on the road as a comfortable silence settled between us.
I didn’t want to start a conversation since I wasn’t sure what to talk about.
He cleared his throat, trying to get my attention. I turned my face away from the screen and back to him.
“Judging from my encounter with Sydney, I guess you’re new in Canada?” he asked.
I knew where this conversation was going. He probably wanted to know more about my past since we hadn’t met before and he and Sydney ran in the same social circle.
“Yes, I’m new to Canada. I’m just here to cool off,” I said.
He turned to look at me. “I guess it’s a good kind of cool-off, right?”
I didn’t want him to worry about me, so I replied, “Yes, it’s kind of a good cool-off.”
I hoped my answer would stop him from asking more. I appreciated Ethan’s concern, but I wasn’t ready to share much about my past or why I needed this break.
The silence in the car felt more comfortable now. I focused on the passing scene, trying to push my worries to the back of my mind.
His reaction told me he didn’t completely believe me, but he reached out and took my hand.
The touch sent a shiver down my spine. He said, “I know I haven’t given you many reasons to trust me, but I want you to know that I care about you. I can’t wait for the day when you feel free enough to tell me what’s going on.”
My heart raced at his words. It made me wonder if Ethan could be different from the men I’d known before. I closed my eyes and silently prayed for healing from the ache in my heart.
I was touched by his sincerity, but I was also scared. I had been hurt before, and the idea of opening up to someone new felt daunting.
Could I trust him, or was I setting myself up for more disappointment?
The car ride felt long, and my mind raced through all the what-ifs and could-be.
I felt a bit more relaxed as we talked about various things. I learned that Ethan is a genuinely nice guy.
He’s Lily’s first child and son. Since Lily is aging, Ethan takes over running the flower shop. What started as a small shop grew into a big business with top-notch clients.
Even though it’s a major organization now, the name “flower shop” stuck because that’s what everyone knows it as.
Ethan and Mason are brothers and they have a sister named Keelah. They own many businesses, hotels, restaurants, clubs, and real estate, Ethan and his family are down-to-earth. Zoey wasn’t exaggerating when she said they own half the city.
As Ethan talked about his family and the growth of the flower shop, I felt a bit more at ease. His openness and the way he spoke about his family showed a side of him I hadn’t seen before.
I admired how he managed to stay grounded despite his success. It made me wonder if this kind of stability and kindness was rare among people with so much wealth and influence.
My thoughts turned inward as I considered my situation. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for me to find some peace and happiness here, away from the complications of my past life.
The ride was lively, and as we drove down a long lane, I started to feel my eyelids getting heavy. I must have been tired from the day, so I slowly dozed off while still feeling the car moving.
As I dozed off, I felt a peace I hadn’t felt in a while. Ethan’s conversation had made me feel safe, even though I was still unsure about everything. I allowed myself to relax, trusting him for now.
I woke up slightly as the car came to a stop. Blinking away the sleep, I felt a movement around me and noticed someone blocking the sunlight.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw Ethan staring down at me. My heart raced as I wondered how he had gotten so close so quickly.