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“The ones always in bloom?”
“Yeah.”
“You’re taking care of the whole square and no one knows?”
“No one knows because no one’s ever asked. Besides, I like to take care of things,” he said. “And people.”
I could see it. He was always in tune with how I was doing. Just like Mollie and Tammy.
“That’s ... so sweet,” I said around the wad of cotton in my throat. So this was what he was like when no one was around.
I was glad I caught him, but sad that I didn’t get to see it as ...
As his girlfriend.
Fuck. It was getting harder and harder to ignore. I thought I’d done well by not telling him about Mom, but the feelings were already there. I wanted this. All of it.
“Wren, I?—”
“I think I need to get back,” I said, turning away. “I probably shouldn’t have delayed what I was working on to come over here anyway.”
“Hang on.” His hand wrapped around mine. “I need to talk to you about something.”
“Is it important?”Because I have to go hide for a bit.
“Yes, it is. It’s about us.”
Ice made its way into my chest. Was he done with this? Had he grown bored or met someone else?
That would be my luck. I found a friend in Tammy and then would lose Henry.
“Y-yeah?” I asked. I kept my eyes on the stairs, unable to turn back.
I was terrified someone else was going to leave.
“Wren, turn around.” This wasn’t like his usual orders. It was soft and gentle.
Would his rejection be like that too?
I slowly faced him, heart in my throat.
He let out a breath. “You know, I spent hours trying to figure out what to say and ... I have no idea where to start.”
“Start anywhere.”I can take it.
I was lying.
“I broke a rule.” He gulped. “Most of them, actually. I don’t think I can justfake date you anymore.”
The words washed over me. He was done. It was over. I’d?—
“Did you sayjust?”
“Yeah, I did. I have feelings for you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Alot, actually. And I want this to be real.”
I could only blink at him. Hewhat?This wasn’t the end? He wanted more, withme?
A voice distinctly like Tammy’s sounded off in my head.“Duh.”
