The next few days have been a blur of planting and preparations for the fundraiser. I haven't seen Keenan, and though I try to focus on my plants, my mind keeps wandering. Why haven't I seen him? Is he avoiding me? The thought unsettles me more than I care to admit.
I cling to the hope that he'd show up at the fundraiser.
On the morning of the event, Riya arrives at my house, her usual energy filling the air. She is dressed in a bright yellow sundress, her hair tied back in a ponytail, and a big smile plastered on her face. We look almost identical, except i had a blue sundress and my hair is curled.
"Rise and shine!" she calls out as she lets herself in, holding two steaming cups of coffee. "We've got a big day ahead of us."
I smile despite myself, grateful for her enthusiasm. "You're too cheery this early," I tease, taking one of the cups from her.
"Someone has to be," she shoots back with a grin. "Now come on, let's get these beauties loaded up before you start second-guessing yourself."
We work together to load the trays of plants into my truck, Riya chattering about how excited she is for the event. I try to match her energy, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Keenan. Will he come? Does he even remember the fundraiser is today?
When we arrive at the square, it is already buzzing with activity. Booths are being set up, children were running around with balloons, and the smell of fresh pastries wafted through the air.
Riya and I quickly got to work arranging my plants on our table. We drape colorful cloths with marigold over it and carefully organize each pot so they look their best.
"Wow," Riya gushes, stepping back to admire our work. "This looks amazing. You're going to sell out in no time."
I smile faintly. "Thanks, I just hope people like them."
"They will," she states firmly. Then she gives me a sly look. "And maybe a certain someone will stop by and be impressed."
I roll my eyes, though my cheeks warm at her implications. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."
Riya laughs and pats my shoulders. "Alright, alright. Let's go grab those sweet-smelling pastries before things get too crazy."
As we wander through the square, I can't help but scan the crowd for Keenans familiar figure but still no sign. By mid-morning, the event is in full swing. Locals stop by our booth to compliment my plants or make small purchases, but I cant shake the restless feeling in my chest.
Then I hear it-the low rumble of a motorcycle engine cutting through the cheerful noise of the square. My heart skips a beat as I turn towards the sound. Keenan pulls up at the edge of the square, his bike gleaming in the sunlight like something out of a movie.
He climbs off with an easy confidence that makes heads turn as he immediately spots me. His dark jeans cling perfectly to his long legs, and his black T-shirt stretches across his chest just enough to make it hard not to stare. His tattoos litter his arms which doesn't help either.
"Hey there," he says when he reaches me, his voice low and warm like honey dripping over gravel.
"You made it," I mutter softly, trying not to let my relief show too much.
"Wouldn't miss it," he replies with a crooked smile that sends a jolt through me. His eyes flicker over my booth before they land back on me. "This looks great-better than I imagined."
I shrug lightly, though inside I am glowing from his compliment. "It's nothing fancy."
"It's you," he retorts, his gaze holding mine for a beat too long.
I swallow hard and turn away under the pretense of adjusting one of the signs on the table. "Well... thanks."
Keenan leans against the edge of my booth casually, watching me with an amused glint in his eye as if he could see right through me. The gesture makes my heart race quicken immediately.
"You always this... modest?" he asks teasingly.
"Only when people are watching," I shoot back before realizing how it sounds. He brings something bold and playful out of me.
His grin widens as he tilts his head slightly closer to mine. "Careful there, Petal-you keep saying things like that and I might have to show you how immodest I can be," he murmurs.
For a moment, everything else fades-the bustling square around us seems miles away as his gaze locks onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath hitch. A tingling sensation rushes through my body, feeling heat creep up to my cheeks.
I open my mouth to respond but find myself at a loss for words under his steady gaze.
Keenan smirks knowingly before straightening up again and stepping back, just enough to give me space but not enough to break whatever connection had sparked between us in those brief moments.
"I'm gonna check out some other booths," he says casually as if nothing had happened, but there is no mistaking the lingering warmth in his tone or expression as he adds quickly before walking away. "Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back."
As I watch him disappear into the crowd with that easy confidence that seemed uniquely his own; all I can think is how hard this day has just gotten. Not because of work or sales, but because of him and whatever this thing between us is turning into.
I want all of him. Badly.
Not long after he leaves, another group of motorcycles roars into the town square-louder this time, more aggressive somehow. My stomach twists as I watch them park near the edge of the crowd. I notice two familiar faces, Griffin and Axel.
Among them is a woman who immediately catches my attention and not in a good way. She is tall and striking with sharp features, her dark hair pulled into a sleek braid. Her leather vest bore an emblem identical to Keenan's- The Iron horse-but there is something about her presence that makes my skin prickle.
She strides toward my booth with purpose, her boots clicking against the pavement like gunfire.
"Nice setup," she says cooly as she approaches, her voice smooth but edged with something mean.
"Thank you," I reply cautiously. My eyes flicker to Griffin, who looks at me with a smirk while Axel's expression stays serious but his eyes don't meet mine.
She leans forward to inspect one of the flower pots as if she doesn't have all day but still wants to make me squirm under her gaze. "You grow these yourself?"
"Yes," I respond evenly.
Her lips curve into something that's not quite a smile-it was too predatory for that. "Impressive." She straightens up and looks me over like she is sizing me up for something more than flowers.
"I'll take them all," she says unexpectedly, pulling out a wad of cash from her pocket and slapping it onto the table.
"All of them?" My voice wavers despite trying to seem confident.
She tilts her head as if amused by my hesitation. "You heard me."
I hesitate for only a moment before nodding slowly, packing up the pots for her. As I work, she leans closer, too close, and lowers her voice so only I can hear.
"He will love these flowers" she whispers, but with an unmistakable edge beneath her words.
"What?" I furrow my brows as she pulls back with an intimidating smirk on her red-coated lips. He? She doesn't respond as I quickly try to finish so she can leave.
Her fingers drum against one of the empty spots on the table now devoid of flowers as she continues watching me intently-like she knows something about me that I didn't know myself yet- or maybe didn't want to know at all...
As she leaves with her purchase, the tension in the air seems to dissipate slightly, but my mind is racing with questions. Who is she? Was she referring to Keenan? And is she Cougar, the person Griffin mentioned, who wouldn't be pleased by me?