Too late for a second chance (Lila and Dorian)

By the time the florist finished wrapping the bouquet, Lila stepped out of the shop, looking a bit down. "I just realized... I don't even know what kind of flowers Kieran likes. So, I just picked something I liked."

Her voice softened with self-reproach. "Do you think maybe I haven't paid enough attention to him? When I get home, I'm going to make an effort to learn more about what he likes!"

Amelia smiled. "Honestly? I don't think it's you. Uncle Kieran never really shows his preferences. Well, except when it comes to you."

The last part made Lila pause, eyes widening slightly before a soft, glowing smile spread across her face. she glanced down at the bouquet in her arms, and the tenderness in her expression deepened.

...

By evening, she had parted ways with Amelia and returned to Hilltop Heights. On the way, she texted Cole to ask when Kieran might be home.

Cole replied almost instantly, "Mr. Morgan left the office this afternoon and hasn't returned since."

Lila: "You're not with him?"

Cole: "No, he went out alone today. Didn't take me with him."

she was wondering where he could be, another

I'll

but no one picked up. In all their time together, this was the first time he hadn't picked

again. The phone rang almost to the brink of voicemail before it connected. "Hello,

it was Landon, and the background

bit too much to drink. I

home. If

can

come pick

a little puzzled. "Hold on, I'll be

into Michael, who was struggling to support someone clearly too drunk to stand

Michael was surprised to see her-and alone at

pick someone up,"

at her with his free hand. Before Lila could respond, the person slumped against Michael groaned,

find

a small pack of wet wipes from Ker bag and handed them to him