Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

The Pearl Hotel wasn't exactly close to the University of Maple Grove, so they had to grab a couple of taxis to get there. Including Flora, there were eight of them-just enough to fill two cabs. When they arrived, it was just past one o'clock, right in the middle of the lunch rush. The place was packed. Brianna had been a regular here, so the receptionist and the manager recognized her immediately. Their faces looked a bit off when they saw her.

"Miss Brianna, what brings you here today?" The manager asked, plastering on a forced smile as he walked up to her.

"Well, I'm here to eat, obviously. Get me the best private room you have, and make sure it's big," Brianna replied, missing the manager's awkward vibe entirely. She spoke with a hint of pride, eager to show off in front of Flora.

In the past, the manager would have quickly and respectfully escorted her upstairs. But now? Not a chance. The boss had laid down the law: no one from the Brimer family was allowed in the Pearl Hotel. Not even Brianna.

The manager looked uncomfortable. "Um... Miss Brianna, how about you find somewhere else to eat today?" he said, trying to be as polite as possible.

frowned. "What do you

of them. He pulled Brianna aside and whispered, "It's like this... our boss has

Brimer family had always been at odds, so any place he owned was off-limits to them. But she had always been the exception. They got along

the boss's orders. I'm just the manager; I can't go

joined them, stomachs growling-after

minute," Brianna said, trying to keep her cool as she stepped aside to call Ray. She figured it was likely that someone from the Brimer family had made Ray mad,

She had brought everyone here for a meal, and now they couldn't even get in the door. How humiliating. She could already imagine Flora's smirk. "Hey,

go somewhere else?" Ivan suggested, noticing Brianna's uneasy