And fuck her hard I did. Grace and I could make beautiful, slow, passionate love, or fuck like it was the last time we’d ever be together. All of it was amazing and felt like the first time.

Grace was my life.

From this day on, I would do whatever I had to do to keep her happy.

Noah

The day couldn’t have been any more perfect. Grace went to her class while I took care of getting lunch ready. I planned on talking to her about coming back to Austin with me this weekend at lunch. I had a feeling she would, but I wasn’t sure how she would feel about meeting my mother so soon. Time was of the essence though when it came to my mother.

Pulling up to the flower shop, I jumped out and headed in. The door chimed and a blonde girl came walking out from the back of the store.

“Good morning. How can I help you?”

I looked around the flower shop. “I need flowers.”

Letting out a giggle, the clerk said, “Well, you’ve come to the right place. We sell flowers.”

With a quick laugh, I nodded my head. “That you do. I’m setting up a surprise picnic for my girlfriend. I’d like to give her a bouquet of flowers. She is big into flowers and gardening.”

“Okay, well do you know what her favorite flower is?” she asked.

Smiling, I said, “Sunflowers I know for sure. Really any flower. She plans on opening up a flower shop-nursery type place in a few months.”

“Oh, how exciting! I’ve had my little shop here for a few years. Can’t be depressed when you’re surrounded by flowers every day.”

Laughing, I said, “I guess not.”

She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, well how about if I do a fall color bouquet. I’ll pick some vibrant colors and make the bouquet. I’ll be sure and put a few sunflowers in there as well.”

“That sounds like the perfect plan. Thank you.”

The girl nodded her head as she disappeared again.

Ten minutes later, she came walking out with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was huge.

“I got a little carried away,” she said as she handed them to me.

Looking at the flowers, I said, “I’ll say. How much do I owe you?”

Leaning back against the counter, she shook her head. “It’s on the house. Once a day, I do a pay it forward for one of our customers. You’re today’s lucky winner. Just do me one favor?”

I couldn’t believe my ears; was this girl for real? This bouquet would have cost me a fortune had I ordered it online. “Yes, of course I will.”

“Never lose the chance to see something beautiful each day.”

Smiling, I said, “I won’t. And thank you very much. I truly appreciate your kindness.”

Lifting her hand, she waved goodbye. “Have fun, and I hope she likes the flowers.”

Pulling up to Grace’s place, I jumped out and reached in for the flowers. Walking up the stairs, I went to ring the doorbell when the front door opened and Alex stood there with a stunned look on her face.

“She’s on her way.”

Staring at Alex like I had no clue what she was talking about, I said, “What? Who?”

Rolling her eyes, Alex grabbed my shirt and pulled me in. “Grace! She texted me to tell me she was going to surprise you and skip her last class. She’ll be here any minute. But I have to tell you something else.”

That’s when it hit me. I wasn’t done setting up. “Shit! I still need to finish getting everything ready.” Rushing into the house, I made my way to the backyard, where I saw everything had already been set up. Looking to my left, I saw Will with two older guys. One looked familiar.

Very familiar.

Oh shit.

It’s Grace’s dad.

I’m so fucking dead right now.

The other guy walked up to me and smiled. “Hey, assmole. You want to date my Grace?”

Assmole? His Grace?

Looking back at Will, he stood there smiling.

Turning back to the guy standing in front of me, I asked, “Ah . . . I’m sorry. Your Grace?”

Nodding his head, he said again, “That’s right, assmole. Grace is my niece. Jeff said you’re not allowed to have my Grace.”

Turning to Will, I asked in a hushed tone, “Assmole? Did he call me . . . assmole?”

“Daddy? Uncle Matt? What are you doing here?”

Spinning around, I saw Grace standing there with a smile on her face. She glanced to the picnic and then to the flowers in my hand as her face lit up bright, I couldn’t help but smile back as she gazed into my eyes and whispered, “Noah, did you do this?”