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Aspen grabs my hand. “Can you show me everything?”

I glance around my mostly empty yard. “There isn’t much to see yet.”

“I still want to.”

“Well, what the queen wants, the queen gets.”

Before we make it around to the garden, Aspen notices the last few wildflowers surviving beside my front porch. She crouches to inspect each one, asking me their names as if I have any fucking idea.

I’ve grown close to her over the past few weeks. Between school and the time we’ve spent together outside of it, I’ve fallen a little bit in love with our friendship.

She isn’t mine to worry about.

Apparently, no one has told my heart that.

“Well, look at this little gardening crew.”

I turn to find G walking toward her car, watching the three of us with far too much interest.

“Hey, G.” I wave.

“Georgie,” Dean greets her with a nod.

“Hi, Aunt G!” Aspen holds up one of the small purple flowers. “Do you have flowers too?”

“Not as pretty as Blair Bear’s,” G tells her. “Mine gave up weeks ago.”

I narrow my eyes at the nickname. “Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.” She lifts her hands innocently.

Dean looks between us. “Should I be worried?”

“No,” I answer.

“Absolutely,” G says at the same time.

Aspen grabs Dean’s hand and points toward the side of the cottage. “Come on, Daddy. Blair said her garden is out back.”

Dean allows her to drag him away, glancing back at me with an amused smile.

Once they’re out of earshot, I turn to G.

“So…” She waggles her eyebrows.

“Georgie.”

“Dean Ashford is gone for you.”

I snort. “He is not.”

G gives me a flat look. “Blair, that man spent his Sunday bringing his daughter to inspect a rectangle of dirt because you invited him.”

I glance toward the side of the house.

Dean is already looking back at me.

He smiles.