This is the sequel to Heart Ain't a Brain. If you haven't, read that first!
They say don't fall in love, it's a mistake.
The trajectory of one's life can change in the blink of an eye. So what happens when a series of tragic events changes the cour...
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Dominic
No, it's not what you want, but it's what you need You're just so damn good at arguing Using your words when I wanna leave
I'm holding you back, you need to be free It's not fair to you, and just so we're clear To tell you the truth, it brings me to tears For the first time, I finally believe we're done
The soft hum of Chris' radio was the only sound breaking the silence between us, a comforting rhythm that underscored the steady motion of the car. Outside the window, the Boston skyline blurred into a palette of steel and glass, flickering with the late afternoon sun as we drove through the heart of the city. I leaned my head against the cool window, letting the scenery drift by while my mind raced ahead.
It had only been two hours since I landed, but something about being back was settling, almost sobering. The air here had a certain sharpness to it, brisk and biting, cutting through the noise in my chest like cold water on hot skin, bringing a strange sense of clarity with every breath.
Before anything else, I asked Chris to make a stop. I couldn't show up to Raelle empty-handed—not this time. Not after everything that had gone down the last time we saw each other.
"I wanna pick up some flowers for Rae and Mari," I had told him as I tossed my bag into the backseat.
He didn't ask questions—just nodded while pulling away from the airport and heading toward a small floral shop not too far from where we were.
It was the kind of place that felt like it had seen a thousand quiet apologies and a hundred hopeful new beginnings. That's the energy I needed now more than ever.
Mari's bouquet came together easily—something bright and sweet, a quiet offering of gratitude and apology for the way she had to step in and pick up the pieces of what I shattered between Raelle and me the night of the New Year's Eve party.
Chris had told me that roses and lilies were her favorite flowers, so I had the florist craft a bouquet that was nothing short of stunning: a lush, vibrant gathering of velvety hot pink roses, each bloom curled open in full, extravagant beauty. They were nestled against delicate pink Asiatic lilies, their petals stretching wide like satin stars, lightly dusted with pollen and carrying the faintest, sweetest scent.
But when it came to Raelle's... I hesitated because I needed hers to be perfect.
I stood at the counter, staring at the display in front of me until my eyes landed on a vase arrangement that nearly stole the breath from my lungs. Tulips in every shade of pink—from the palest blush to deep, moody rose—paired with striking blue irises, their petals dancing like silk in the soft light. The arrangement was elegant but full of emotion, delicate but unapologetically bold. The way the colors bled into each other reminded me of her—strong, vibrant, and layered with meaning.
