The Remake (Second Chance Flower Shop #4) - Noelle Adams Page 0,49

care about the money or your job or anything like that.”

“I know you don’t. But I have been thinking. Hal, my dad’s friend who’s been managing the foundation, is retiring soon. He wants me to take over managing the foundation.”

Belinda lifted her head. “Would you need to move to Charlotte to do that?”

“No. I could do it from here.”

“Is that what you want?”

“I think so. I thought I didn’t, but it was another thing I was afraid to commit to. I think I’d be pretty good at it—with my business experience from before. And I could keep my own schedule during the days and still...”

“Hang around and annoy people in town, especially me?”

“Yes. Exactly.” He smiled in the dark. “Wouldn’t want that part to change.”

“Me either. So if you want that, I’m all for it. As long as you don’t think you need a better job or more respectability or something stupid like that—just to be with me. I really don’t care. I love you for you.”

His chest tightened with a feeling too powerful to fully contain. “Thank you. But I think I might... It’s my responsibility. My family’s money. So I should make sure it’s used well. To help as many people as possible. My family mattered to me. A lot. And I don’t want to keep acting like they didn’t.”

“That’s good then.” She kissed his chest gently. Then the dip of his throat. “That’s what you should do then.”

“Why are you smiling like that?”

Her kisses reached his mouth. “I know it sounds silly, but I’m so proud of you.”

Fitz didn’t think it sounded silly. The truth was he was a proud of himself too.

THE FOLLOWING WEEK, Belinda was having a bad day.

She’d been swept away in a wave of joy since the night Fitz had come back to her, so it was weird and jarring to be so out of sorts today. But she was. Fitz had been out of town for a couple of days—in Charlotte dealing with Hal to work out management of the foundation. They were going to work together for the next six months until Hal retired. Then Fitz would take it over fully.

There was a lot to take care of, and Belinda could hardly begrudge Fitz finally committing to a job for real. He called her morning and night and sent her texts throughout the day, but she still missed him.

She must have gotten spoiled because she didn’t like sleeping alone anymore.

Plus she had a day full of appointments without any time to work on her own. So she felt like she hadn’t gotten anything accomplished all day except adding more work to her pile. She’d always been a doer, and she hadn’t been able to check anything off her to-do list today.

She was about to leave at five after she finished with her last client when a couple came in without an appointment. They were really upset about their finances and wanted help, so of course she stayed to get started on their case. It took a long time, however, so she wasn’t able to head home until almost seven in the evening.

It was dark outside as she walked home. Chilly. It felt like she hadn’t seen the sun in days. Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day. Fitz had promised to be home by then so he could take her out. She just had to make it through tonight. Tomorrow would be better.

She trudged down the last block until she saw her house with its cute picket fence and familiar porch. It made her smile. She could collapse as soon as she got in, and then Fitz would be back tomorrow.

When she unlocked the front door and pushed her way in, she gave a little squeal and jumped backward.

Someone was already inside. He’d started a fire in the fireplace and spread a blanket on the floor and prepared a romantic picnic dinner and lit candles next to a huge bouquet of roses and orchids.

She stared speechless at the unexpected scene. It was like something out of a romance movie.

Fitz was sitting on the blanket, wearing a decent black shirt with gray trousers. He grinned at her through his beard. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Belinda.”

“But that’s tomorrow!”

“I know. But I figured we could get a head start. I’ve got a lot of time to make up for, and I want to make sure you get everything you feel like you’ve missed out on.” He peered at her, searching her face. “Are you feeling okay? If you’re