In Bloom

Chapter 7 : The Start of Something

I leaned back in my chair, still feeling the warmth of Isla’s smile lingering in the back of my mind. The past three days of conversations had been more than I expected. I’d learned a lot about her. She’d opened up, piece by piece, in a way that made me want to know even more. She wasn’t just a single mom trying to get by; she was strong, grounded in her own way. And that drew me in.

She talked about Amara, her three-year-old daughter, like she was the center of her world. I could hear the pride and love in her voice whenever she mentioned the little girl. I don’t know what it was, but hearing her talk about her daughter made me curious about that bond. She had also mentioned being a widow, and how hard it was to lose Daniel. The pain was there, but there was also a strength in the way she spoke about him—like she had made peace with it, in a way. It didn’t scare me off. If anything, it made me respect her more.

And here I was, thinking about her again. I wasn’t the type to get caught up like this, but I couldn’t deny that something about Isla just felt... right. I picked up my phone, deciding to lock down our plans for dinner. It wasn’t just about me anymore—I knew I had to win over Amara too.

Me: "Hey, about tomorrow night... Thought I’d pick you up, so I can meet the real boss—Amara. Gotta get her approval first, right? 😎"

I hit send and stared at the screen, waiting for her reply. I didn’t usually care this much, but this time, I was invested. The phone buzzed a minute later.

Isla: "Haha, Amara’s approval is no small thing! But I’m sure she’ll love you. Looking forward to it 😊"

I grinned at her response, feeling that excitement build up. This wasn’t just another date. This was something else, and I was ready to see where it could go.

---

When I pulled up to her place, I had to admit, the nerves hit me for a second. I don’t usually get like this. But as I checked my reflection in the rearview mirror, making sure the Cuban links sat just right on my chest and my open-face grill flashed clean, I took a breath. I was dressed to impress—black shirt, jeans that hugged my legs just enough without looking like I was trying too hard. I wasn’t one to show off too much, but I knew the right touches had to be there.

This wasn’t just about Isla tonight. I had to win over the little one too.

The door opened just as I reached for the handle, and there she was—Isla, looking even better than I remembered. She had on this deep blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, simple but elegant. Her curls were loose, cascading around her face, and when she smiled... Damn. It was like time slowed down.

“Hey, beautiful,” I said, stepping up to her with that smooth tone I always used. But this time, it wasn’t just for show.

“Hey,” she replied, her voice soft, and her smile reaching her eyes.

Before we could say anything else, a little voice piped up from behind her. “Mama! Is this Mr. Avery?”

And then there she was—Amara, her big brown eyes staring up at me with the kind of curiosity only kids can have. She was a mini version of Isla, all cute curls and sass in one tiny package. I crouched down to her level, holding out my hand. “Well hey there, Amara. I’ve heard so much about you.”

She gave me a long look before crossing her arms, that same little pout on her lips as her mama. “Are you Mama’s friend?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I’m your mama’s friend. But I’m hoping I can get your approval too. Think you can help me out?”

Amara tilted her head, like she was considering a serious deal. “Maybe... but only if you let me pick the dessert.”

I laughed, glancing up at Isla, who was smiling, trying not to laugh. “Deal.”