The bell above the door jingled softly as you stepped into the shop, the scent of fresh flowers enveloping you like a warm embrace. It was Peter’s shop, Bloom & Beyond, and though you’d only been coming here for a few months, it already felt like a little sanctuary in your otherwise chaotic life.

Peter stood behind the counter, a single blue iris in one hand and a strip of ribbon in the other. His dark hair fell into his eyes as he worked, but the moment he looked up and saw you, a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.

“You’re early today,” he said, his voice warm and teasing.

You shrugged, feeling the heat rise to your cheeks. “I was in the area.”

Which wasn’t entirely true—you’d taken the long way home just to pass by his shop.

Peter nodded toward a small bouquet sitting on the counter, wrapped in soft tissue paper and tied with a lavender ribbon. “This one’s for you.”

You blinked. “For me?”

He laughed lightly, the sound soft and genuine. “Of course. You come here often enough that it’s tradition by now. A bouquet for the girl who brightens my day.”

You stared at the flowers—a delicate mix of daisies, freesia, and snapdragons. It wasn’t overly extravagant, but it was thoughtful, the colors blending into something cheerful and understated.

“You don’t have to keep doing this, you know,” you said, stepping closer. “I come here because I like the shop, not for the flowers.”

His grin softened into something more vulnerable. “I know. But I like making them for you. Call it a habit.”