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

The phone wouldn't stop ringing. Connor tore his gaze away from the gift box, grabbed his phone, and headed upstairs, giving the door a light tap with his knuckle. "Flora, it's for you," he called. A moment later, Flora opened the door, stepping out. She'd changed her top but hadn't yet put on her pants. The oversized shirt hung low, covering her hips but leaving her long, fair legs exposed.

Connor's Adam's apple bobbed at the sight, and thoughts of the necklace darkened his mood. He handed the phone to Flora and hurried back downstairs.

As he passed the couch, he noticed the gift box peeking out from Flora's backpack. He hesitated but then grabbed it and texted Moss: "Can you find out who bought this necklace?"

Moss replied in minutes. Seeing the name Shawn, Connor's jealousy flared, filling his chest with a tight, uncomfortable heat. He glanced upstairs, then quickly stashed the gift box under the couch, pushing it further in to be sure.

Feeling guilty, he glanced back at the closed door upstairs. No movement. He sighed in relief, then headed to the kitchen to start dinner.

Ten minutes later, Flora came downstairs, phone in hand. Connor poked his head out from the kitchen. "Take a seat; dinner will be ready soon."

"Okay," Flora said, settling on the couch. She reached for her backpack, unzipped it, and pulled out her tablet. Then she froze. Where was Shawn's gift box?

and she couldn't help but chuckle. She stood up, walked to the kitchen doorway, and leaned against it casually. "Hey, Connor, did you see

as he held the spatula, but he didn't reply. Flora narrowed her

her, his eyes slightly

looked into his eyes and almost sighed. "Why

jaw tightened,

as if he wanted to speak, but then the doorbell rang. He rushed to answer it. Tilting her head, Flora saw Moss at the door. They exchanged a few words, and Connor took something from him before shutting the door

and he quickened his pace,

to

inside,

than the one Shawn