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Noticing I’m not beside him, he stops walking and faces me.
“This is yours?” I ask, marveling at the glass structure, my eyes traveling over every square inch.
He nods, adjusting his glasses. “I’m a bit of an anthophile.”
I raise a brow. “A what?”
The corners of his lips twitch. “A person who loves flowers.” He lifts one shoulder. “I discovered as a kid that I had a green thumb. It started as a side hobby until it became…” He motions toward the ginormous greenhouse behind us. “This.”
“It’s lovely,” I tell him.
His grin widens. “You haven’t even seen the inside.”
The corners of my lips curve up. “Then show me.”
He opens the large double doors and gestures for me to step inside. The moment I do, every thought in my head slips away.
“This is…beautiful,” I breathe.
My eyes drift over every inch of the space as I step farther inside, turning slowly, afraid I’ll miss something if I blink.
This isn’t just a greenhouse.
It’s a hidden paradise.
A fairy tale brought to life.
“I can’t believe this is real,” I whisper.
Every section bursts with vivid flowers—soft pinks, deep reds, bright golds, rich violets. Vines curl up wrought-iron arches overhead while delicate petals spill from hanging baskets, their scent thick and sweet in the air. A crystal-clear lagoon winds through the center, its surface shimmering beneath the moonlight. A small waterfall fills the air with its soothing sound, while tiny lanterns cast a soft amber glow over the lush greenery. Near the far side, a cozy seating area sits tucked beneath ivy, with cushioned chairs.
The entire place feels like I’ve stepped into a dream.
“I hoped you might like it.”
Alex’s deep voice cuts through my haze, and I turn to face him, a genuine smile gracing my lips.
“Thank you for showing me.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I’ve never seen something like this in my life.” I chuckle softly. “This puts my school garden to shame.”
“That’s why I brought you here.” He rubs the back of his neck, his eyes on the roses. “Earlier, when you mentioned painting the garden at your school, well, you looked…” He takes a deep breath. “You looked happy.” His eyes meet mine. “So I wanted to let you know you’re welcome here anytime to do the same.”
An unfamiliar ache spreads across my chest, one that has my eyes misting over. I blink away the tears, looking anywhere but at him, unable to wrap my head around the idea that he cares about my happiness. It doesn’t make sense to me, when I’m no one to him.
“That’s very kind of you,” I say. “But I don’t have—”
“Whatever supplies you need, just let Tommaso know tomorrow. I’ll ensure everything is set up in here for you.”
“You’ve done so much for me already.” I shake my head, a few strands of hair escaping from behind my ear. “I couldn’t ask one more thing of you.”
He steps forward, leaving only a foot of space between us. The corners of his lips lift. “You’re not asking anything of me.”
I suck in my bottom lip, knowing I won’t win this one. “Thank you.”
His hand reaches up, and I hold my ground instead of flinching. He’s not going to hurt you, I repeat as his fingers brush my cheek and push my hair behind my ear. The touch trails down my neck, sending my pulse racing. Every inch of my skin feels awake. And the second his hand pulls back, a harsh coldness washes over me.
I look up to find his eyes a few shades darker than normal, the grey almost entirely gone. He clears his throat, stepping back.
I wrap my arms around my waist, swallowing down the knot of emotions in my throat. I glance to the side, my gaze catching on an abundance of roses.
