Bloom

I push to my feet and set off toward Rhys and his bright blue hair.

I give the kid credit for honoring his mom in the best way he knows how.

When I reach him, he goes in for a side hug, so I accommodate with a slap in the middle of his back.

“Wolf,” he says my name in a shaky tone. “I want you to meet my dad.”

I spin around to face the man that owned the heart of Deidre Quillan. The man she met in grade school, fought with through middle school and fell in love with in high school.

Steely blue eyes and short cut dirty blond hair greet me. A hand is shoved at me as he studies my face. “I’m Gareth.”

“Liam Wolf.” I take his hand in mine for a shake. “I already feel like I know you.”

When I try and tug my hand away, he holds on for a beat too long. “I feel the same way, Liam. I feel the same way about you.”

***

Two hours later, I stand in front of Wild Lilac and stare in the windows.

Fate brought me here weeks ago. That’s the only way I can explain any of this.

Athena’s past is as twisted as mine.

I drop a hand to the handle and tug on it.

I don’t give a shit that I’m covered in sweat and that my heart took a bigger beating on that court than my body did.

Watching Rhys with Gareth was humbling.

Deidre lost more than I realized when she took her last breath in that hospital bed.

She missed the chance to see her son fall in love. She lost every opportunity she could have had to sit down and talk with him one-to-one about life and choice and honor.

I step inside Athena’s shop and gaze around.

I don’t recognize anyone but Leanna, the woman who was here last week when I stopped in to see lilac.

“Liam.” She drops the flowers in her hand and approaches me. “Can I help you?”

“Where’s Athena?”

“Setting up for a wedding.” She gives me a once over. “I’m heading over there in twenty minutes to help.”

I want to know where it is so I can go there and wrap myself around her. I want her to chase away all the pain that’s been living inside of me for years. I want a fresh start with her and I want to give her the same.

“I’ll tell her that you stopped by,” she offers. “I can ask her to call you when we’re done.”

I give her a curt nod. “Please.”

Her hand moves to touch me, but she pulls back. “Can I help you with anything?”

Compassion swims in her tone. I know I must look like hell. I feel like it.

“Just let Athena know that I’d like to speak with her.”

“Sure thing.” She smiles. “I’ll let her know.”

I exit the shop and head across the street. It’s time to face my future and leave my past behind. Tonight I’m taking the first step.