Page 35 of Golden Ruin

He nods, agreeing. “They sprung for the flowers, too?”

My stomach bottoms out with the question. I made the same assumption when Matt walked in with them.

“Uh, no, actually.”

I mean to say they’re from Matt, I mean to be confident, but no other words come out, leaving Sterling to draw his own conclusion.

“He seems like a good guy.”

“He is,” I nod.

A quiet moment passes between us.

“But when are you gonna tell him you hate flowers?”

I’m not sure how I’m meant to take that, but when I finally look him in the eyes, he’s smiling a little.

“Maybe I’ve changed my mind,” I smile back. “Maybe flowers are my favorite thing in the world now.”

“Nah.” He shakes his head. “Not unless you suddenly like the smell of funeral homes. Because that’s what you said they remind you of.”

I’m both impressed and annoyed that he remembers my exact words.

“It was a nice gesture,” is the only argument I have as Sterling laughs quietly.

“Never said it wasn’t nice. Just that they’re not… you.”

I stop after ripping the band from around the stems, staring at the water rushing from the faucet. It feels like I should respond, defend Matt’s thoughtfulness, but I don’t. I stay quiet instead, finally filling the pitcher.

Sterling’s silent, and the night has somehow gotten even more uncomfortable, which I didn’t even know was possible.

“Daddy! Come on,” Jax calls out, and it’s a much-needed disruption.

“Can I get you anything else?” Sterling asks, and I pretend I’m not affected by our conversation as I force a smile.

“Nope, all good. Thanks again.”

He volleys a look between me and the flowers again, then half a second later, he pushes off from the counter, and I feel his heat as he passes behind me.

I let out a breath when he’s gone, and I’m grateful to be alone.

No Matt.

No Sterling.

But unfortunately, I’m stuck with my thoughts.

On top of everything else, I’m starting to think my life is becoming complicated in ways I’m not even sure how to grasp or process. And this time, the cloudiness filling my head… has nothing to do with fire.

*

@QweenPandora

Oh… Em… Gee…

Could this be the proof we’ve all been waiting for?

#TheGoodDoctor was spotted exiting #MrSilver’s neighborhood an hour ago. Now, unless there’s a budding bromance I haven’t been made aware of, I believe this means we’ve finally located #LostAngel.