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

Debra lowered her voice, clearly annoyed by Selene always sticking up for Flora.

Selene shot her a frosty glance. "Seriously, it's just a meal on the third floor. Not a big deal."

Like she cared.

"Mr. Tanner, you go ahead. I'm fine eating here," she said, her tone icy as she continued to queue, eyes downcast. The mere idea of looking at them again was irritating. Unbeknownst to them, Kruz was leaning against the staircase, eavesdropping on their entire conversation.

He had stepped out to make a call and ended up catching their exchange. It was almost laughable how angry it made him.

Flora had kindly invited them upstairs, and this was their response?

He hadn't even eaten yet, and he was already feeling queasy.

Picking up his phone, he called a staff member.

"Let's head upstairs," he said.

Joy smiled graciously at the staff member, basking in the admiring and envious glances from the crowd.

The staff member was about to nod when his phone rang. He excused himself with an apologetic gesture and stepped aside to take the call.

Afterwards, Joy and the others watched as the staff member's expression changed.

you can't go upstairs anymore,"

Why? They had

Joy's smile froze. "Wh-why?"

know why," the staff member replied, his tone even

What did they know?

Abbey say something? Let me talk

and the others had been bragging about how they were going to eat upstairs, thanks to her. And now, they were barred, with people watching. It was utterly

Mr. Kruz invited you upstairs," the staff member interrupted

Kruz? Who

and the others grew

the staff member

be precise, it

Miss Flora."

vanished from Joy's

come

then? She felt like a

and the others fell silent, their faces

expected the invitation to

has asked for you to come upstairs," said

on Selene. He

If Flora was inviting her, why wouldn't she go? She held her head high,