Page 76 of The Roommate Problem
Agatha had given Mo the name of the hotel August was staying at, and she planned to head right over there after she took a quick shower and put on her most irresistible outfit.
Had to use all the good luck in her arsenal.
She turned the knob and opened the door. A powerful floral scent hit her in the face as she stepped into the apartment. Mo felt her jaw drop as she stared around her home. Beautiful flowers were placed on every available surface. Reds, whites, yellows, purples, a rainbow of colors, some in fancy glass vases, others stuck in water glasses or coffee mugs. There were roses, daisies, dozens of others she couldn’t identify, even a Bird of Paradise with its colorful orange, blue, and purple petals sticking up in the air, beckoning her to come close.
She came further into the apartment, letting the door close behind her. Her vision blurred as tears gathered in her eyes. Happy tears because there was only one person who would do something like this. One person who could gather a cornucopia of blooms in one place for—
“Hey, Sunshine.”
She turned toward the kitchen area to see August sitting at the table. He had a single flower in his hand, a large green stem with a cluster of tiny star-shaped purple petals forming a kind of bell shape. She’d seen the flower used in some weddings before but had no idea what it was.
“August…I was just going to…what are you doing here?” She was flustered. She never got flustered. Guess love did weird things to people.
“Did you know that the Victorians used to use flowers as a means of covert communication?”
She shook her head, for once in her life words escaping her.
He gave a small smile. “Flowers have always had deeper meaning attached to them.”
August stood, keeping the purple flower tightly in his grip as he moved around the room, pointing out each bloom and offering an explanation.
“Bird of Paradise,” he said, his smile widened, dimples peeking. “Joyfulness. Because I’ve never met anyone in my life as filled with happiness as you, Mo.”
She covered her mouth when a sob threatened to break free. Now was not the time to become a blubbering mess. She didn’t want to miss a word of what he said.
He pointed to a bright yellow flower with black tick marks on the inner petals. “Alstroemeria for friendship. You offered me your friendship the moment we met, you didn’t even know me, but you were willing to extend a hand. You took a guy who hated the city and found parts of it he loved. You willingly tried cauliflower pizza because a friend asked you to. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had, Mo.”
Her heart raced, emotions welling up inside, choking her with hope for what this all meant. What August was trying to say.
He continued around the room, pointing and explaining as he went. “Daisies for cheerfulness, protea for change and courage, chrysanthemum for fidelity, camellia for passion and desire.” He stopped in front of a large vase of a dozen red roses. His eyes focused on her, gaze penetrating her very soul as he spoke. “Red roses for love.”
That did it. Dropping her hands, she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck. The tears poured freely now, her heart bursting with love for this man.
“I love you, August. I’m so sorry for keeping things from you. You have to believe I never meant to hurt you. I know I can be a bit of a bulldozer at times, always thinking what I’m doing is right for everyone, but I promise I only do it out of love, and I’ll try to be better about—”
“Mo, Sunshine, hold on.” He chuckled, grasping her hips and setting her back so she could stare into his eyes. Eyes alight with love. “You didn’t let me finish.”
She winced. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize.” He gave a small shake of his head. “For anything.”
He brought up the hand that still had the purple flower in its grip, holding it out in front of her. It smelled so sweet. She had no idea what it was or what it meant, but she was sure August was about to tell her.
“Purple hyacinth. To symbolize sorrow, regret, and forgiveness.” His brow furrowed, grip on her tightening. “I know you never would have withheld the things you did if you hadn’t been sworn to secrecy by Gran. I reacted badly because I was hurt and upset, but I know you would never intentionally hurt me. I felt left out. I know you would never purposely exclude me when from the moment I met you all you’ve ever done is try to include me in your life.”
She laughed softly. No family was perfect. Not even hers. But if there was love there, things could work out. And she knew August and Agatha loved each other very much.
“I’m sorry for how I acted. For the things I said.” His hand left her hip to come up and cup her cheek. “But most of all, I’m sorry that we couldn’t all be honest with each other. You, me, and Gran. I don’t want that to be our dynamic. I want to share everything with you, and when you keep something from me, I can trust it’s for a good reason.”
She never wanted to keep anything from him in the first place. Mo was terrible at keeping secrets. She often told people way too much as it was.
“I never meant to hurt you, August.”
“And I didn’t mean to hurt you either, Sunshine.” He held the flower out to her. “I love you, Moira. Can you forgive me?”
She smiled, wrapping her hand around his and tilting the flower toward him. “Only if you can forgive me, too?”
With the gentle grasp he had on her jaw, he pulled her closer, dipping his head to capture her lips. She moaned into the sweetest kiss she’d ever received. A kiss full of love, forgiveness, full of promise for a future. One a few days ago she’d been terrified she’d never have.
