Wildflower Hearts

13. Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

S he stood outside their front door, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. She had half-expected it to be awkward, but the invitation had felt genuine, and she was eager to see him again. She took a deep breath and knocked.

The door swung open, revealing Noah. “You made it!” He stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. The familiar scent of warm cookies wafted through the air, and she felt instantly at ease.

“Thanks for having me.”

As she entered, she was greeted by the lively sounds of laughter echoing from the living room. He led her down a hallway lined with family photos, all capturing moments of their childhood. She could see the three of them—Noah, Elias, and Mark—grinning from ear to ear in each picture, their bond evident even in stillness. In the living room, Elias and Mark sat on the couch, playfully wrestling over the last piece of pizza.

“Whoa, look who it is!” Mark exclaimed, standing up and offering a wide grin. “The lovely Lyla! Come join us.”

“I didn’t know I was crashing a pizza party.”

“Not crashing at all,” Elias said, his voice teasing. “We were just debating the best toppings. Noah says pineapple is a crime against pizza.”

“Is it?” Lyla laughed, glancing at Noah, who was rolling his eyes dramatically.

“It’s a serious culinary offense,” he insisted, crossing his arms in mock seriousness.

She couldn’t help but smile at the easy camaraderie between the brothers, glad to see it had returned. “I have to admit, I’m a fan of pineapple on pizza,” she said playfully, raising her hands in mock surrender. “Sorry!”

“No! You too?” he gasped, his expression comically exaggerated. The brothers burst into laughter, and she felt her tension melt away.

As they settled into the living room, she settled on the couch, shifting nervously as he lowered himself down beside her. This side of him was different, a new version of the grumpy, hurt man from a year before.

Elias leaned back from his seat on the recliner, a smirk on his face. “Hey, little brother, remember that time you tried to build a tree house, and it ended up collapsing?”

“Don’t you dare.”

Mark jumped in, unable to contain his laughter. “He thought he was the next great carpenter! We found him stuck in the branches like a raccoon.”

“I was not stuck!”

She smiled, instantly intrigued. “How did that happen?”

He sighed, a smile breaking through despite his embarrassment. “I may have miscalculated the weight distribution…”

“And ended up taking a nosedive!” Elias finished, still chuckling. “Ma had to come rescue him.”

As the stories flowed, they shared tales of summer adventures, sibling rivalries, and the chaos of family game nights. In that moment, surrounded by playful banter and the comfort of family, the worries she had about being an outsider faded away.

A few hours later, Noah and Lyla stepped outside, the evening air cool against their skin. The sun was setting, and they walked side by side toward her car.

“Thanks for tonight. I didn’t expect it to be so much fun.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

As they reached her car, a moment of stillness fell between them. She turned to face him, feeling her heart race. “I really had a great time tonight. I didn’t expect to feel so… comfortable.”

“I’m really glad you’re in my life again, Lyla. I’ve missed this." He took a step closer, his expression turning serious. "I’ve missed you.”

Her breath caught in her throat at the intensity in his eyes. “I’ve missed you, too.”

Noah moved even closer, their faces just inches apart. The world around them faded, and in that moment, everything felt right. “Can I…?” he began, but the question hung in the air unspoken.

“Yes.”

With a gentle, tentative movement, he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. The kiss was soft at first, a sweet exploration that sent a rush of warmth through her. When he pulled back slightly, their foreheads resting together, both of them smiled.

“Good night, Lyla.”

“Good night, Noah.”

As she made her way through the bustling hospital corridor, she could hear the familiar laughter of her colleagues echoing from the nurses' station. She rounded the corner, and the moment she entered their line of sight, the playful teasing began.

“There she is!” Melissa exclaimed, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. “The star of the show!”

Lyla raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, come on,” another nurse chimed in, a teasing grin on her face. “Noah’s been here every day this week. We’re starting to think he’s more dedicated than you are, and that’s impossible!”

She felt her cheeks heat up. “He’s just being nice. It’s not a big deal.”

“Not a big deal?” Melissa shot back, feigning shock. “Lyla, he brings you coffee and always asks about your day! It’s practically a romance novel in the making.”

“Maybe you should write a love letter to him,” another nurse suggested, giggling. “You know, ‘Dear Noah, thank you for your daily dose of caffeine and charm.’”

“You guys are ridiculous! He’s my friend.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” Melissa said, rolling her eyes. “He’s a friend that wants to jump your bones.”

“You guys are impossible,” she said, trying to sound annoyed but failing to hide her smile.

Despite their teasing, she found herself glancing at the clock, eager for the next time their paths would cross.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the city as Lyla waited outside the book store. She fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. Their last date had been filled with laughter and shared stories, and she found herself looking forward to this one all week. As if on cue, Noah appeared, walking toward her and holding a small bouquet of vibrant wildflowers, their colors bright against the evening light.

“Hey. I couldn’t come empty-handed.”

Her eyes widened in delight as he presented the flowers to her. “Wow, these are beautiful! You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to,” he said, his expression sincere. “You’ve been working so hard lately. I thought you could use a little brightness.”

She accepted the bouquet and inhaled their sweet fragrance. “Thank you, Noah. This is so thoughtful.” She felt a flutter of warmth spread through her as she tucked the flowers into her bag.

“Ready for another adventure?”

“Absolutely! Where are we going this time?”

“You’ll see. Just trust me.”

As they walked side by side, the air between them buzzed with an easy intimacy. She felt the butterflies in her stomach dance as they chatted about their day, sharing little anecdotes and playful teasing.

They arrived at a small park, its grassy expanse dotted with families and couples enjoying the warm evening. Noah led her toward a picnic area under a large oak tree. A blanket was spread out on the grass, and a picnic basket sat in the center.

“Noah, you didn’t have to do all this.”

He shrugged, a hint of shyness creeping into his demeanor. “I wanted to make it special. Plus, I thought we could use a little break from the hospital food.”

She couldn't help but laugh, nodding in agreement. They settled onto the blanket, and he began unpacking the basket, revealing an assortment of sandwiches, fruit, and even a couple of homemade cookies.

“Did you make these?”

“Debra may have helped me a little bit.”

After they finished eating, they leaned back on the blanket, watching the clouds drift by. She found herself stealing glances at him, admiring the way the light highlighted the angles of his face.

“Hey,” he said softly, breaking the silence. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words. “What are you looking for… you know, in all of this? With us?”

“I guess I’m looking for something real." Her heart raced in her chest. "I want to take my time and see where it goes.”

“Me too.”

She felt a wave of relief wash over her. “I’m glad to hear that. I really like you, Noah.”

His smile widened, and he leaned closer, their faces just inches apart. “I really like you too, Lyla.”

In that moment, everything felt right. He brushed a stray hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her cheek before he closed the distance, his lips gently meeting hers. The kiss was soft and sweet, filled with the promise of something deeper. She felt herself melt into the moment, the warmth of his presence wrapping around her. When he finally broke the kiss, she couldn't help but smile.

Deep down, she knew that this a new beginning for them both, one she couldn't ignore and desperately wanted. With Noah by her side, she felt ready to embrace whatever came next.