This wasn’t just about threats and windows and rival clubs.
It was about the fact that he’d stayed.
The fact that I’d let him.
The fact that when I’d been scared in the dark, I’d reached for him without thinking and he hadn’t made it a joke. He’d just climbed in and held me until the fear passed.
I was still scared.
But I wasn’t alone.
And that changed everything.
Chapter Ten
Asher
The shop smelled of sawdust and flowers when we pulled up.
The plywood over the front window was fresh, pale against the brick, and Blaze was already halfway through arguing with Cookie about whether the board should be painted or left as-is.
“I’m just saying,” Cookie said, leaning back against the wall like this was a casual hang and not a crime scene cleanup, “if we’re going to board up a flower shop, we could at least make it festive.”
Blaze snorted. “You want to stencil daisies on it?”
Juliet stopped short beside me, staring. “They really did stay all night,” she said softly.
Cookie turned at the sound of her voice and immediately straightened. “Morning, boss lady.”
Blaze tipped his head. “You good?”
Juliet nodded. “Yeah. Thank you. Both of you.”
Cookie waved her off. “You kidding? Best overnight shift I’ve had in years. Quiet street. Good view. Only got heckled once by a raccoon.”
Blaze grimaced. “That thing was aggressive.”
“And rabid,” Cookie laughed.
Juliet blinked. Then she laughed. Not nervous or forced.
Real.
The sound hit me harder than I expected.
Inside, the shop looked… intact. Messy, sure. Boxes stacked. Buckets everywhere. Ribbon trailing like evidence of battle. But the flowers were safe. The coolers humming along. The heart of the place still beating.
Jackie and Jenna were standing near the prep table, coats off, sleeves rolled like they’d come ready for a fight or a cleanup. Maybe both. There was a broom leaning against the counter like someone had started and stopped.
Jackie turned first. Her gaze went straight to Juliet’s face. “Are you okay?” she asked, already crossing the floor.
Jenna was right behind her. “You should’ve called us. Last night. Immediately.”
Juliet’s hand tightened in mine. Not panic, just a little overwhelmed. She smiled, soft but steady. “I’m okay.”
Jackie stopped in front of her, arms folding. “That’s not the point.”
Juliet exhaled slowly. “You wouldn’t have been able to do anything last night.”