Faux Vows, True Desires

"If he comes to find you again, you might just have to invite him over for lunch or something."

Devon's mood did a one-eighty in the blink of an eye.

Cecilia tried to tease him a bit, "Grandpa, the guy fixed one street light, and suddenly you're ready to adopt him."

"It's not the flashy stuff that gets to me," Grandpa Devon replied, his voice getting softer. "It's how he treats you. Fixing that light, thinking about the safety of the whole street just to walk you home safe. That tells me he cares. And if he didn't care about you, well, he wouldn't have bothered at all. You did give him the green light to woo you. It's not like I'm pushing something you don't want, Cecilia."

Devon's words left Cecilia without a comeback.

Her family's opinion of Owen was pretty much mirrored in her own feelings.

"I usually order takeout for lunch. I'll just add an extra portion for him," she muttered.

"You'll do no such thing. Have him over. Ordering in is impersonal. Plus, the boy's injured; he needs a proper meal to help him heal."

Cecilia couldn't win against Grandpa Devon, so she agreed.

After hanging up, Cecilia first pouted, then couldn't help but giggle to herself.

Grandpa did have a point.

Owen was thoughtful.

He fixed problems when he saw them.

"What's got you secretly smiling over here?"

Lucinda strolled over, a playful twinkle in her eye. "I was just about to hit the grocery store. What are you in the mood for lunch?"

"Oh, Grandpa just called. Wants me back home for lunch."

Cecilia, still smiling, nodded at the flowers in front of her. "After last night's fiasco, Mr. Malicious went ahead and replaced all the street lights on the block. So, Grandpa's invited him over for a home-cooked meal."

nudging her friend. "Look at you, can't even hide that sweet smile. You're head

easy to be happy around him,

once they see how amazing you are. Anyone who catches my Lucinda's eye has to be

aren't we humble?" Cecilia

true, isn't it? My BFF is the best,

laughed heartily. She was Lucy's BFF, after all. She couldn't talk herself

you considered that maybe Owen staged the

wiped the smile off

at her

mischievously, "I didn't mean to cast Owen as the villain; it's an occupational hazard, you know, thinking up plots. I've written similar twists in my stories." Cecilia sighed, "I can't even begin to understand how

me to have my guy

without batting an eyelid, his eyes will give him away.

quite confident about

Owen lied, she was sure she would

then, I'm off

her husband, and the two

truckload of vases, the delivery crew filling the shop with one beautiful piece after

just thirty-one. One for each day of the month. I'll bring you fresh flowers daily, and once we've filled all the vases, we

Cecilia was speechless.

found their place in every nook of the coffee

The counter got two.

Cecilia, signaling her to place the bouquet he

She did as instructed.

again. This time

Cecilia watched, dumbfounded.

a florist at the end of the street, which made

every vase was brimming with fresh flowers, adding

and Owen looked on, delighted, anticipating her next