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

As Fiona turned to go, Jackson caught her wrist, his eyes filled with a longing he couldn't hide.

"Mr. Woods, do you need something?" she asked, her voice cool.

That formal "Mr. Woods" hit him like a punch.

"Fiona, don't you have anything to say to your brother?" he pressed, just hoping for even a simple, "Why?"

Fiona paused, eyes lowered, then looked up—her usually warm gaze now sharp as glass. "What exactly does Mr. Woods want me to say?" She let out a dry, almost mocking laugh. "Should I admit how much I miss you, how hard this has been? Or tell you how deep my feelings go? Or maybe you want me to ask why you disappeared without even saying goodbye?"

She glanced at her wrist, then slowly pried his fingers away, one by one. Red marks bloomed where he'd held her, but she stayed calm, her face unreadable.

"Fiona, it's not what you think. It's just—” Jackson almost blurted out the truth about her being in danger, but he swallowed the words.

"Fiona."

"Mr. Woods, let go."

have. They were both strong enough to protect themselves now, so what reason could possibly

you know your brother

suddenly laughed, the sound cold.

the

that, Fiona turned and walked quickly

just hadn't dressed warmly enough, but when Fiona woke up the next morning, her head was spinning and she felt groggy and weak, though

the whole team headed to the competition venue. The contest started at ten and would run for two hours, followed by a two hour break.

only 9:30, but every team had

your best," Fiona told the team's first contestant, giving her a reassuring pat on

for this-don't

"You can do it."

set the tone for

slowly up the stage, her

of the biggest names in the