1| The Flower Shop

Morning light spilled through the windows of Miller's Flower Shop, casting soft golden streaks across the counters. The air carried a mix of floral scents—roses, lilies, and hints of lavender—warm and familiar.

Sophie Miller moved between the flower displays, her fingers adjusting the stems of a bouquet filled with seasonal peonies. The scent of fresh blooms surrounded her, almost shielding her from the noise of traffic bustling outside.

The door chimed softly as a mother and her young daughter entered the shop. Sophie greeted them with a warm smile, her green eyes sparkling with genuine warmth.

"Good morning! How can I help you today?" Sophie asked, her voice as cheerful as the daisies in the display behind her.

The mother returned the smile, but it was her daughter who spoke first, her eyes wide with wonder. "Flower lady, you're so pretty!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with awe. The mother's face flushed with embarrassment as she quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, she's very forward."

But Sophie only laughed, kneeling to the child's level. "Thank you! That's very sweet of you," she said, plucking a sunflower from a nearby vase. "Here, this is for you."

The girl's face lit up as she took the flower, holding it close like a treasure. "Thank you!" she chirped, her excitement bubbling over.

As they finished their purchase, the mother gave Sophie a grateful smile, while the little girl skipped happily toward the door, clutching the sunflower like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Sophie watched them go, a soft smile lingering on her lips. Moments like these made the long hours worth it. Seeing someone's face light up over something as simple as a flower, knowing she had a small part in their happiness—it never got old.

The soft creak of the backroom door broke her focus, and her younger sister, Lily, emerged with two steaming cups of coffee.

"Hey, Soph, take a break. You've been at it all morning," Lily said, setting one of the cups on the counter.

"Thanks, Lily. Just let me finish this bouquet first," Sophie replied, carefully placing the final bloom. She stepped back, tilting her head slightly as she inspected her work. "Perfect."

She took off her apron and joined her sister at a small table nestled in a cozy corner of the shop. The place had quieted down now, the only movement coming from a few regulars who were lazily browsing the displays.

Lily wasted no time before launching into a story about her latest date.

"It was amazing!" she gushed, her excitement bubbling over. "We went to this adorable Italian place, and he was so charming. You know, he kept saying it was authentic Italian food and speaking Italian with the owners."

Sophie chuckled, genuinely happy for her sister—even if Lily didn't exactly have the best track record when it came to dating. "Well, I'm glad you had fun."

Lily leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You should go on a date too, Sophie. You're always here, burying yourself in work. Don't you want a little romance in your life?"

Sophie sighed, shaking her head. "I'm just... really busy with the shop. That's all."

"Uh-huh," Lily teased, raising an eyebrow. "Is it because of that guy?"

Sophie froze for a split second, her smile faltering. "What guy?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.

Lily leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Ethan Sinclair. You know, the guy who stomped all over your heart in high school?"

Sophie's chest tightened at the mention of his name. Memories flooded in—of the garden, the library, the moment she had confessed her feelings to him and been rejected. She forced a laugh, brushing the memory aside. "Lily, that was forever ago. It's not about him."

Lily frowned, concern replacing her playful expression. "Sophie, you deserve to be happy. You can't just live for this shop. You're allowed to want more."

Sophie knew her sister was right, but it still wasn't easy to move on. Her gaze drifted around the shop, taking in the vibrant flowers and their familiar fragrance. This place was her sanctuary, the one constant where she felt safe and at home.

"I know, Lily. I know" Sophie replied, offering her sister a reassuring smile.

As Lily continued to chat, Sophie found her thoughts drifting, pulled back to memories she rarely let herself linger on. Memories of Ethan Sinclair. The first time she had seen him, the feelings she had harbored for him, and the sharp sting of his rejection. Even after all these years, the ache lingered, tucked away in the quiet corners of her heart.

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside. There was no use in dwelling on the past. She had a shop to run, a life to live—even if she had to live it alone.

The soft chime of the doorbell snapped Sophie back to the present. A new customer had arrived, and she turned to greet them with her usual warmth.

"Good morning! How can I help you today?" she asked, her bright smile unwavering.

A middle-aged man with a kind face stepped into the shop, his eyes scanning the colorful display of flowers.

"Morning. I'm looking for a bouquet for my wife. It's our anniversary," he said.

"Congratulations! How many years?" Sophie asked as she began mentally assembling the perfect arrangement in her head.

"Thirty years," the man said with a proud smile.

Sophie beamed back at him. "That's wonderful! Let's make something truly special for her."

She led him to the section of the shop featuring the most vibrant blooms. Her hands worked instinctively, selecting roses and carnations. As she arranged the bouquet, her mind began to wander, the familiar motions bringing back the memory of another time, another place.

It was a bright spring morning, and Sophie was in the school garden. She had been assigned to water the plants for her horticulture class, a task she loved.

The garden was her sanctuary, much like her flower shop would become years later. It was a place where she could lose herself in the beauty of nature and forget about the world outside

Her blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, swaying as she moved among the vibrant plants with a watering can in hand. She hummed softly to herself, the warmth of the sun kissing her skin as she knelt down to tend to a bed of blooming marigolds.

Then she heard footsteps.

Looking up, her eyes landed on him for the first time. Ethan Sinclair. He was tall, his dark hair falling effortlessly into place, and his piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through everything.

Sophie's heart skipped a beat.

Most people at school whispered about Ethan, calling him cold, distant, and unapproachable. But there was something about him that drew Sophie in.

He walked past the garden, his expression unreadable. For just a moment, his gaze met hers, and she felt an unexpected jolt of electricity. The moment passed too quickly, and then he was gone, disappearing into the school building.

From that day on, Sophie found herself seeking him out. She looked for him in the hallways, in the library, the cafeteria, and even at school activities. Yet, more often than not, she spotted him in the garden, a book in his hands as he sat quietly among the greenery.

She learned his habits—how he preferred the solitude of the garden over other areas. How he was often lost in thought, his brow furrowed as he turned the pages of whatever book he was reading.

But it wasn't just his quiet demeanor that captivated her. She noticed the little things. The way he helped people—whether it was the janitor, the cafeteria staff, or even the teachers. Most of the wealthy students barely acknowledged them, treating them as invisible, but Ethan was different.

The school was filled with rich kids, and Sophie often felt like an outsider among them. But Ethan, likely one of the wealthiest of them all, never acted like it. He never judged people by their status and was always willing to lend a hand.

Ethan's kindness wasn't loud or obvious. It was hidden, almost like a secret he didn't want anyone to discover. But Sophie saw it, and that kindness made her fall for him even harder.

The man's voice pulled Sophie out of her thoughts.

She blinked, her hands pausing mid-arrangement.

"This is perfect," he said, admiring the bouquet she had crafted.

Sophie glanced down, realizing she had almost finished it without even noticing. With a final touch, she tucked in a few sprigs of baby's breath—somehow, it always made every bouquet look softer, prettier.

"It's so beautiful. I know she'll love it," the man said, his voice warm as he took in the finished arrangement.

Sophie smiled warmly, handing it to him. "Thank you. Congratulations again on thirty years."

As the man left, the door chimed softly behind him. Sophie's gaze lingered on the door, her thoughts once again drifting to Ethan. Did he ever think about her? Did he remember the shy girl in the garden who had once loved him so completely?

Shaking her head, she returned to the counter, pushing the thoughts aside. Some things were better left in the past.

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Photo credit: Pinterest

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