64| Seeking Insight

The next day dawned bright and clear, but Sophie's spirits were anything but.

Still, she thought she was hiding it well.

Until Lily's voice chirped through the shop.

"Hey, Soph, you can work in the back. We have some flowers that need arranging. I'll handle things out here."

Sophie glanced at her, surprised. "I'm really fine. You don't have to cover for me."

"I know," Lily said knowingly. "But sometimes it's okay to have a bad day. I don't expect you to be sunny all the time. You can be gloomy sometimes. You can't have flowers without sunshine and a little rain."

She was quoting their dad.

And Sophie was lying to herself.

She forced a small smile. "Thank you, Lily. You're the best little sister ever."

She reached out, tugging playfully at Lily's brown hair before heading to the back.

Maybe it was okay to stop pretending.

Because the truth was—

She wasn't okay.

She wasn't okay with how things were with Ethan right now.

She leaned against the work table, taking a deep breath.

Trying to shake off the feeling.

But before she could even gather her thoughts—

Lily popped into the back again.

"Sophie, there's a hottie out front asking for you. So hot, the flowers are melting."

Sophie blinked.

Who?

It wasn't Ethan.

She knew it wasn't him.

So why did her heart skip at the thought that maybe—just maybe—he might have come?

"Good morning, Sophie!"

Surprised, Sophie looked up and saw David standing in the shop.

Her lips curled into a genuine smile.

David had an amazing personality, and out of everything in Ethan's world, his friendship with David felt like the one real thing.

"David! It's great to see you," Sophie said, walking over to greet him.

Lily's face peeked around the corner, eyes wide with obvious curiosity. Sophie followed her gaze and sighed. "Oh, that's my sister, Lily," she introduced, sounding almost apologetic as Lily stepped out from her hiding spot, staring openly at David.

"Hey, I'm David," he said, flashing a friendly smile as he extended his hand. "You two look so alike. Are you twins?"

Lily grinned, shaking his hand with a lingering touch. "Nope, just lucky in the gene pool—and speaking of lucky, I'm single. You know, in case you were wondering."

David blinked, caught off guard by her forwardness but clearly entertained. He didn't pull his hand away just yet. "Good to know," he teased back, his grin widening. "But I wasn't wondering."

Sophie cleared her throat, loudly. "Lily, seriously?"

Lily's laughter was unbothered. "What?" She shrugged, still smirking at David. "You can't blame a girl for being honest."

Sophie sighed, giving David a pointed look that begged for sanity. "What brings you in today, David?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation back to business.

David, still laughing under his breath, leaned against the counter, clearly unfazed. "I need a bouquet for a friend's birthday. Figured I'd stop by the best place in town."

Before Sophie could respond, Lily was back at it. "I'm your girl for that," she announced, stepping closer again.

"Absolutely not." Sophie cut in swiftly, crossing her arms in front of her sister. "Lily, we have actual customers to take care of."

Lily rolled her eyes dramatically, but stepped back, still smiling at David. "Fine, fine. But if you need expert advice or, you know, anything else... I'm around till four." She tossed a wink his way, before finally sauntering off, not without one last glance over her shoulder.

David shook his head, chuckling. "Your sister's something else."

Sophie pinched the bridge of her nose in mock exasperation, though she couldn't help but smile. "She's a handful, that's for sure. Let's get started on that bouquet before she comes back and offers you a discount for your phone number."

David laughed again, clearly enjoying himself. "I think I'll take my chances with you instead."

As they moved through the shop, Sophie helped David select a bouquet, their conversation light and easy.

But maybe it was because he was Ethan's friend.

Maybe that's why she kept thinking about him.

David, always perceptive, noticed the subtle change in her demeanor.

As they finalized the bouquet, he glanced at her, a hint of concern flickering across his face.

"Sophie, are you okay? You seem... less chirpy today."

Sophie hesitated, her fingers nervously twisting the ribbon around the bouquet.

"It's Ethan," she admitted softly.

David's expression softened with understanding.

"Yeah... I've noticed."

He paused before adding gently, "Do you want to take a break? Maybe grab a coffee?"

Sophie nodded, grateful for the offer.

"There's a place down the corner," she suggested, leading him toward Mia's bakery.

They found a seat in the cozy outdoor dining area, the soft hum of the street providing a comforting background.

Thankfully, Mia didn't fuss over David the way Lily had, and soon, they were sipping their coffees in relative quiet.

Sophie glanced at David, her hope rising slightly.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?"

Her voice carried the weight of her worry.

David shook his head, his gaze thoughtful.

"I wish I did. But when he gets like this, it's impossible to force anything out of him. He just shuts down."

Sophie sighed, swirling her coffee absently.

"I've tried. But every time I get close, he pulls back. It's like he's afraid to let me in, and I don't know how to break through."

David nodded slowly, his expression growing serious.

"Ethan's complicated, I won't lie. He's always been that way—keeps everything locked inside like he's afraid to let anyone in."

Then, he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"And I get it. It's hard not to feel like you're failing when someone you love is hurting, and you can't fix it."

Sophie looked down, her hands clasped together in her lap.

"Exactly."

She swallowed hard.

"I've tried, but he keeps me at arm's length. I don't know what else to do."

David leaned forward slightly, his gaze soft but direct.

"I know you've been trying, Sophie. And trust me—I can see it. He's changing because of you."

Sophie blinked, startled. "Changing?"

David nodded. "Maybe it's not obvious, but I notice things. He's more aware, more alive when you're around. But Ethan... he's not easy. And it's not because he doesn't care."

His voice lowered, more thoughtful.

"It's because he's scared. It's like he wants to love but doesn't know how."

Sophie bit her lip, David's words hitting a raw nerve.

"I just wish he would talk to me, you know?"

Her voice cracked slightly.

"I feel like I'm failing him."

David shook his head gently, his voice softening.

"You're not failing him. You're doing the best thing you can—being there, even when it feels like you're getting nowhere. That's what he needs."

He sighed.

"Ethan's been closed off for so long, he doesn't know how to let someone in without thinking they'll hurt him—or worse, that he'll mess it up."

His gaze met hers, serious but reassuring.

"But I've seen the way he looks at you, Sophie. You're getting through, even if he can't admit it."

Sophie's eyes softened, her frustration mixing with hope.

"You really think so?"

David smiled warmly.

"I do. Trust me, I've known Ethan long enough to know when something's different. You've brought something out in him—something good."

Then, with a knowing look, he added—

"Honestly? That fear of messing things up is probably what's holding him back the most."

Sophie exhaled, feeling the weight of David's words settle in her chest.

But at the same time...

A glimmer of hope.

"I just don't want to push him further away."

She sighed.

"I'm afraid of doing the wrong thing."

David's smile was reassuring, but his eyes carried a quiet seriousness.

"Sometimes, love's about showing up, even when the other person isn't ready to meet you halfway. It's about giving them space without letting go."

He held her gaze.

"But don't change who you are for him, Sophie. Just keep being yourself. Let him come to you when he's ready."

Then, after a beat—

"And trust me, Sophie, he will come around. He just needs time to believe that someone could love him the way you do."

Sophie felt her chest tighten.

"Thank you, David."

Her voice was quiet, but steady.

"I just hope he lets me in before it's too late."

David's expression softened.

"He's already let you in more than you realize. Just hang in there, Sophie. You've made more of a difference in his life than he knows how to say."

David's words eased the weight in Sophie's heart—but she still couldn't shake her concern for Ethan.

Trying to push those thoughts aside, she forced a smile and asked—

"How did you two even become friends? I always thought Ethan was a bit of a lone wolf in high school."

David's eyes lit up, and he leaned back with a grin.

"You won't believe it—the first time I met him, he looked me straight in the eye and said, 'I don't have time for your nonsense.'"

Sophie laughed, despite herself.

"That definitely sounds like Ethan."

David chuckled.

"He was dead serious, too. But I kept pestering him until he finally caved. That was the start of it."

Sophie smiled at the distraction—

But as David spoke, her thoughts drifted back to Ethan.

To his silence.

To the growing distance between them.

If only he'd talk to her.

Because the longer he kept her out—

The heavier it felt on her heart.

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