Lib Novel Page 18
“Plants,” I said, the word slipping out before I could catch it. It was the truth, at least—one small, honest piece amidst the tangle of deceptions.
“Really?” Erika’s brows rose, a smile tugging at her lips. “Wait, that makes sense. He really did bring my orchid back from the brink of death.”
“Yeah.” I managed a weak chuckle, feeling the weight of guilt tug at my conscience. “He just…he has this way with them. Like he understands them better than people.”
“Then there’s your answer, Abby.” She leaned forward, her eyes earnest. “Find a way to show him you get that part of him—the part that finds solace in something as simple and beautiful as growing life. It doesn’t have to be grand, just genuine. And there’s this super cute nursery we can head over to that’s just down the street, so maybe that after coffee?”
I nodded, absorbing her words. Genuine—another thing that was in short supply these days. But she was right; if there was any hope of salvaging the fragile connection between Nathan and me, it wouldn’t come from grand gestures but from the small, truthful moments.
I had to do something. I had to try.
“Thanks, Erika,” I said, meaning it more than she could know. “You always seem to know the right thing to say.”
She shrugged modestly but her smile was pleased. “Just calling it as I see it. And what I see is someone who’s head over heels for a guy with a green thumb. Go figure.”
“That might be a bit much. I haven’t known him for that long,” I deflected, but the warmth in my chest suggested otherwise.
“I’m a big believer of when you know you know,” she said, flashing me a grin as I took a sip of my coffee. “Do you know?”
I raised my eyebrows. “I…”
She waved me off. “You know what, you don’t have to tell me. You don’t have to because I can tell.”
The bell above the café door jingled, signaling new customers and breaking the moment.
“If I buy you another coffee will you stop talking about this?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said. “But let me keep that in my pocket for later.”
“Alright, let’s hit that nursery you mentioned,” I said as we gathered our things.
“Great! It’s just a short walk from here,” Erika replied, her enthusiasm genuine and infectious. We stepped out onto the sidewalk, the crisp autumn air carrying the faint scent of smoke and fallen leaves. San Francisco’s Tenderloin wasn’t known for its idyllic charm, but there was something about the raw vibrancy of the city that always got under your skin.
We walked side by side, occasionally brushing shoulders—a simple touch that felt oddly comforting. The plant nursery Erika had mentioned was nestled between a tired-looking bookshop and a laundromat with flickering neon signs. As we entered, a chime announced our arrival, and we were immediately enveloped in an oasis of greenery that seemed worlds away from the gritty streets outside.
“Wow,” I murmured, taking in the lush ferns and vibrant flowers that filled the space. It was like walking into a living painting, rivaled only by the jungle of Nathan’s home.
Nathan really would have loved it here.
“Isn’t it adorable?” Erika exclaimed, her eyes twinkling as she gently touched the petals of a nearby dahlia. “Nathan will love whatever you choose.”
I nodded, though my knowledge of plants was embarrassingly scarce. Dad taught me how to handle a gun, not garden. I trailed behind Erika, feigning interest in the botanical names I couldn’t pronounce, while covertly scanning the place for anything out of the ordinary. Old habits died hard, and even on a seemingly innocent trip like this, I couldn’t fully shake off the agent in me.
“Abby, look at this one!” Erika called out from a few aisles over. She stood beside a shelf that held an array of peace lilies, their white blooms stark against the dark foliage. “It’s perfect. Simple but elegant. I think he’ll like this.”
“Peace lily, huh?” I mused, reading the label as I picked one up. Its leaves were glossy and smooth. I hadn’t seen a plant like this at Nathan’s, and I did think he would like it…even if it was a little on the nose.
“Yep, and they’re easy to care for,” Erika said, giving me an approving nod. “That’s what the sign says. Even for a newbie like you.”
“Sold,” I replied with a smile, cradling the potted plant in my arms. It felt good to make a decision that didn’t involve tailing suspects or decoding secret messages—just a girl buying a plant for a guy who loved them.
I just hoped he saw it for what it was.
Because if he didn’t, I was pretty sure my life was about to get a whole lot worse.
Chapter Nine: Abby
Iwas sure I was going to be punished. I just had no idea how yet.