I’m in my office, poring over the details of an upcoming funeral service with Irene, but my mind keeps wandering back to him. I pull out my phone, typing a quick message.
Me:How’s my favorite florist?
I wait for his usual immediate reply. Some absurd GIF or exaggerated voice note about an unruly plant he’s grown quite fond of.
Nothing.
Odd. He’s probably busy. I push it aside, promising I’ll try later.
Irene says something, and I nod absently, eyes flickering to my screen. The empty space where Levi’s responseshouldbe.
Two torturous hours later, I try again.
Me:Just thinking of you. xx
Still nothing.
The phone feels heavier than it is. I set it face down and return to my work, telling myself everything is fine.
But a strange feeling starts to settle in my gut, and I shove it down.
• • •
Twenty-four hours.
Not a word from Levi.
I don’t overthink. I pride myself on logic. But this silence feels wrong.
I stare at my phone, fingers hovering over the screen. Text again? Should I call? Show up at his shop like some lovesick fool? I can practically hear Levi’s teasing voice in my head:Wow, someone’s obsessed with me.
And maybe I am. Maybe that’s what terrifies me. Because I let him in.I let him in. And now? He’s…seemingly gone. I drag my hand down my face, exhaling sharply. I’m being ridiculous. Thereare a million reasons why he’s been unresponsive. He could be sick or swamped with orders or—
Or worse, he’s changed his mind.
The thought strikes me like a blade to the gut. I stand abruptly, pacing the length of my office. Irene glances up, eyebrows raised, but doesn’t comment. I can’t sit here. I can’t.
So, I grab my coat.
The moment I enter Full Bloom, I know something’s wrong.
Dominic is at the counter, leaning in close to Naomi, their voices hushed. When I shut the door behind me, they exchange a look. One I don’t like.
Dominic is the first to speak. “Hey, Hayden.” His voice is careful, like he’s trying to gauge how much to say.
I cut straight to the point. “Where’s Levi?”
Naomi tucks a stray curl behind her ear. “He…took a sick day. Another one.”
I may not know Levi as well as Dominic or Elijah, but I know him enough to know that he rarely takes a day off. Let alone two in a row.
My jaw tightens. “Is he…okay?”
They hesitate.
Then Dominic sighs, pulling a key from his pocket. “Here.” He presses it into my palm.
I frown. “What’s this?”
