Learning To Bloom In The Darkness (✔️)

Chapter Eleven: Divitae Bonum Non Sunt

(Lincoln's POV)

Every ounce of me wanted to run after her. I wanted to run to her and explain everything.

I couldn't though.

Doing that would put her in Priscilla and my mother's crosshairs. She didn't need that. I didn't want that for her.

Julie must've noticed something because she quickly made some excuse and dragged me away from the Cabots.

"Why did you look like you already knew the florist?"

I sighed. "Because I do."

"How? And don't say that she's your florist too because there's no way you'd be buying flowers." She said.

Like I said, no one knows I visit him or bring flowers every week.

"I met her a few weeks ago and have spent several Saturday's with her."

She smiled. "You like her."

"I didn't say that."

"No, but your actions prove it. You were itching to go after her, but then mom and Priscilla would know about her. I saw that look on your face and I heard you say something to her."

"She didn't know who I was."

"What?"

"She didn't know I was a Rockwell. She didn't know anything about us."

"Crap." She muttered.

"Yeah. How did you meet her?"

"I needed some flowers a few weeks back and went to my usual florist. They were out of the flower I wanted and gave me a list of other florists in the area that sell what I wanted. I liked the name of her shop, so I went there. She was so nice and sweet and the work she did was better than any other shop I've ever gone to."

I chuckled. "What are the odds that we'd both find her?"

"Apparently pretty good. What will you do now?"

"I need to talk to her, but I don't know if she'll answer the phone."

"You didn't lie to her though, right? You just didn't tell her the whole truth."

"Some would argue that that is just as bad. Withholding the truth.....is just suppressing it."

"She seems like a reasonable person though. I'm sure she'll understand."

"Let's hope so."

Julie looked around as more people began to fill the room.

"This is technically only a half business event. Speak to a few people, take some pictures, or give a speech and then leave. Everyone knows you hate big gatherings like this anyway, so it won't surprise anyone if you leave."

"Can you plea-"

She smiled and gave me hug. "Your secret romance is safe with me."