No bodyguards . No chefs . No cold dinners waiting for a man who never came home on time . One afternoon , I was sitting out front , just kinda zoning out . The wind was gentle , swaying the hanging baskets . I had a cup of iced tea in one hand , and I was watching a ladybug crawl across my knee . That's when I noticed her . A little girl , maybe seven or eight , walking up real slow . She had these big hazel eyes, and this messy ponytail that looked like it hadn't seen a brush all week . Her face looked heavy . Sad Like she'd been crying or holding back tears for too long . 193 Chapter 7 +25 BONUS She didn't say anything at first . Just stood there on the edge of the shop's porch and blinked at me . I smiled , leaning forward . " Hey there , cutie . You okay ? Need help with something ? " She looked at her shoes , then back up at me . " I wanna buy some flowers … for my mom . " My heart tugged . " Alright , sweetie . Do you know what kind she likes ? Or maybe her favorite color? " She shrugged . " She doesn't tell me . Ever . " I tilted my head . " Well , how about giving her a quick call ? Ask her real fast . That way you can pick something perfect . " There was a long pause . Then she looked up at me , voice barely a whisper . " My mom … she might not answer . " I frowned . " She busy today ? " The girl bit her lip . " She's … she's gone . " I felt my stomach drop . My hand froze mid - reach . " Oh , sweetheart , I'm so sorry . " Just then , a man appeared from around the corner , walking fast . Tall , sharp features , glasses perched on his nose , sleeves rolled up like he'd run out of his office . And wow , he was handsome . Not the cold , razor - sharp type like Finn . This guy had warmth . Kindness . But also this quiet strength in how he carried himself . His eyes scanned the street until they landed on the girl . " Cici ! " he called , walking up fast . " You can't just run off like that without telling me . I was scared outta my mind . " Cici turned to him , her lower lip trembling . " I wanted to visit Mom … Uncle Garrick . " His whole expression softened . " I know , baby girl . We'll go this afternoon , okay ? I promise . " Then he looked at me . Those eyes … warm , sincere . He stepped closer . " Hey , sorry she wandered in here . She does that sometimes . Would you mind helping us pick out something … appropriate ? " I nodded . " Of course . I've got a few arrangements that'd be perfect for visiting a grave . " His face tightened just a bit . " Thank you . " I moved to the work table and started bundling lilies with white roses . " Cici mentioned her mom couldn't answer the phone , but I didn't realize … " He gave a small smile . " No apology needed . Honestly , I'm glad she came here instead of some street corner . You've got good energy . " That made me laugh softly . Glad someone thinks so . Finn sure didn't Just as I tied the last ribbon , the sky outside opened up . Soft at first , then a full - on downpour . I looked out , then back at him . " You two didn't bring an umbrella , did you ? " 2/3 Chapter 7 +25 BONUS He glanced outside , then down at Cici . " Guess your mom doesn't want us showing up all soaked , huh ? What do you say , stay here a bit until the rain stops ? That cool with you ? " Then he turned to me , " if you don't mind . " I smiled . " You guys can hang out here as long as you want . Not like I'm swamped with customers . " Cici wandered over to the flower buckets and started twirling a daisy between her fingers . She turned to me and said , totally serious , " You smell like flowers . I like it . " I laughed . " Well , I guess that's good , since I work with ' em all day . " Her uncle stepped closer . " She doesn't usually warm up to strangers . Not since … everything happened . Her dad walked out not long after her mom passed . " I nodded slowly . " That's rough . " " Yeah . But she's strong . Smarter than I was at her age , that's for sure . " He held out his hand . " I'm Garrick , by the way . " " Jillian . Just Jillian . " He raised an eyebrow , amused . " Well , Just Jillian , would you mind if I bring her by now and then ? We're actually just a few blocks away . " " I'd love that , " I said without thinking . Cici beamed . " Yeah ! You're the best , Jillian ! " I couldn't stop smiling . For the first time in years , something felt right . Not fake . Not rehearsed . Just … real . And right then , watching the rain fall outside my quiet little flower shop , I realized something : This was the life I was meant to grow into . Not as Mrs. Gallagher .