Chapter 31: A Familiar Request

Chapter 31: A Familiar Request

The soft chime of the shop's bell stirred Lila from her task of arranging a bouquet of daisies and wildflowers. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor. She glanced up, her fingers still tying a satin ribbon around the bouquet.

It was Ethan.

For a moment, her breath hitched, and she couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and familiarity. It wasn't unusual for customers to return, but something about Ethan's presence was different—almost magnetic.

"Good morning," he greeted, his voice warm yet casual, as if he'd been walking into the shop for years.

"Good morning," Lila replied, her tone softer than she'd intended. "Back for more violets?"

A small smile played on Ethan's lips, and he nodded. "You could say that. They've become a bit of a tradition now."

Lila tilted her head, intrigued. "A tradition? That's interesting."

He walked over to the display of violets near the window, his hands brushing over the delicate petals. "They're for my sister," he said, his tone thoughtful. "We've been… mending things between us. The violets help. They're a small way of saying I'm sorry without needing too many words."

The sincerity in his voice caught Lila off guard. There was a rawness, an openness that made her chest tighten. She wasn't used to hearing such honesty, especially not from someone who was, until recently, a stranger.

"That's beautiful," she said softly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the counter. "I'm sure she appreciates it more than you know."

Ethan chuckled lightly, though there was a hint of self-deprecation in the sound. "She hasn't thrown them at me yet, so I'll take that as a good sign."

Lila laughed, the sound surprising even herself. It had been so long since she'd felt the ease of casual banter.

As Ethan selected a small bundle of violets and brought them to the counter, he hesitated. His gaze lingered on the arrangements scattered around the shop, the tools on the counter, and the petals strewn across the floor.

"You look like you've got your hands full," he said, nodding toward the chaos.

Lila shrugged, her lips curving into a faint smile. "It's just another day in the life of a florist. Petals everywhere, orders to fill, and somehow not enough time."

Ethan tapped his fingers against the counter, his expression thoughtful. "What if I stayed and helped?"

The suggestion took Lila completely by surprise. She blinked, unsure if she'd heard him correctly. "Help? Here? You don't have to do that."

"I know," he said, his tone light but earnest. "But I want to. Besides, I figure I owe you something for all the therapy these violets have given me."

Lila laughed again, shaking her head. "I'm not sure that's how it works, but… if you really want to, I won't say no."

---

Ethan rolled up his sleeves, revealing forearms dusted with faint freckles, and Lila handed him a broom. "Let's start with the petals," she said. "They have a way of multiplying."

He swept the floor with surprising efficiency, his movements unhurried yet purposeful. "So, how long have you been running this place?" he asked, glancing at her.

"Almost three years," Lila replied, carefully arranging a bouquet of roses. "James—my ex fiance—and I opened it together. It was his dream as much as mine."

Ethan paused, leaning on the broom handle. "Your fiance… he passed away, didn't he?"

Lila nodded, the familiar ache surfacing in her chest. "Yes. It's been almost two years now."

"I'm sorry," Ethan said, his voice low and sincere.

"Thank you," she replied, her eyes focused on the roses in her hands. "It's been hard, but this shop helps. It keeps me connected to him."

Ethan resumed sweeping, his expression thoughtful. "It's a beautiful way to honor him. Not everyone finds something like that."

Lila glanced at him, her heart softening. "What about you? What brought you to violets?"

He smiled faintly, his gaze distant. "My sister and I had a falling out years ago. Stupid stuff, really, but it grew into something bigger. Recently, I realized how much time we'd wasted being angry. The violets… they're my way of showing her I'm trying. That I want to fix things."

"That's brave," Lila said, her voice filled with quiet admiration. "Not everyone is willing to put in the effort to mend relationships."

Ethan shrugged, his smile tinged with humility. "Life's too short not to try, you know?"

---

As the day went on, Ethan proved to be a quick learner. He helped restock the shelves, untangled ribbons, and even attempted to arrange a small bouquet under Lila's guidance.

"Not bad," she said, inspecting his work. "A little more balance, and you've got a masterpiece."

"Balance, huh?" Ethan mused, adjusting a stem. "Seems like a good metaphor for life."

Lila smiled, her heart warming at his easy humor. "You're not wrong."

Between tasks, their conversations meandered through lighter topics—favorite movies, travel destinations, embarrassing childhood stories. Lila found herself opening up more than she had in months, her walls slowly crumbling under Ethan's steady, genuine presence.

At one point, he stepped outside to take a quick phone call. When he returned, he carried two cups of coffee from the café next door.

"For the hardworking florist," he said, placing one cup in front of her.

Lila blinked, surprised yet touched by the gesture. "Thank you. You didn't have to do that."

"I know," he said with a grin. "But I wanted to."

---

By the time the shop was ready to close, the chaos of the morning had transformed into a calm, orderly space. Ethan leaned against the counter, his sleeves still rolled up, a satisfied look on his face.

"You're a natural," Lila said, wiping her hands on a towel.

"Don't tell my boss," Ethan joked. "He might start asking why I'm not this productive at work."

Lila laughed, shaking her head. "Well, if you ever decide to change careers, you know where to find me."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said, his tone lighter but his gaze steady.

As he gathered his things to leave, Ethan hesitated, looking back at Lila. "Thanks for letting me stick around today. It was… nice."

"Thank you," Lila said, her voice soft. "For helping. And for… everything else."

Ethan nodded, his smile warm. "Anytime."

As he stepped outside, the bell chiming softly behind him, Lila watched him go. The shop felt quieter without him, but her heart felt lighter, as if a small weight had been lifted.

For the first time in a long while, Lila felt the stirrings of something new—hope, curiosity, maybe even the beginnings of healing. She didn't know what the future held, but for now, she was grateful for the unexpected connection that had found its way into her life.