Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

She got up just as her phone started buzzing. Fiona fished it out of her pocket and saw Jackson's name flashing on the screen. Her face softened immediately, a smile playing on her lips. She tossed the first-aid kit over to Tyler and strolled away. "Hey, big bro," she said, her voice light and teasing.

"Where've you been?" came Jackson's raspy, magnetic voice through the line.

"Oh, just out meeting a friend," Fiona replied, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "What, you miss me?"

"Quit your teasing, troublemaker," Jackson chuckled. "When are you wrapping up? I'll come pick you up."

Fiona glanced at her watch. "Just about done. It's almost noon. How about grabbing lunch together?"

Jackson's voice stayed cool and steady. "Where should I meet you?"

Fiona laughed and casually mentioned a spot near a nursing home. "Alright, hang tight. I'll be there in twenty."

"Okay."

With that, Fiona ended the call and headed out of the nursing home. Mikey was waiting for her outside. Seeing her come alone, he scratched his head, puzzled. "Boss, even you couldn't sway him?" Otherwise, why was she alone? If even the boss couldn't convince him, that kid must be really stubborn.

The director was sweating bullets. How could Tyler turn them down? What if they decided to cut off funding to the nursing home?

"Ms. Fiona, Tyler's just being difficult. Please don't take it personally. We've got plenty of boys better than him."

Fiona didn't even spare the director a glance. Hearing Mikey's comment, she just laughed, "No rush, he's coming out soon." "Huh?" Mikey was confused.

But just as Fiona finished speaking, a young man emerged from where she had just been. He had an old backpack slung over one shoulder his clothes washed to a faded white, and his hair grown long, covering his thick eyebrows and lifeless eyes.

It was Tyler!

Mikey almost blurted out a curse. The boss really was something else, pulling it off just like that! "Alright, let's head out."

Fiona didn't bother with questions or explanations. She simply told Mikey to take Tyler outside. The director, taken by surprise at Tyler's change of heart, was left wondering how Fiona managed to convince him.

But that didn't matter. What mattered was the funding....

The director saw them out, rubbing his hands and grinning sheepishly. "So, Ms. Fiona, about the investment..."

"We won't short you a penny, but you better whip this place into shape. If it's still like this next time, you might end up raising a bunch of delinquents."

Fiona strode out the gate without a

backward glance. The director,noveldrama

relieved about the funding, beamed

with

de and promised to

manage his staff better.

"Let's get going," Fiona said, finding the director's presence tiresome.

He scurried back inside.

"Boss, hop in. I'll take you guys to grab some good food," Mikey chimed in, holding the car door open for Fiona.

Fiona gave him a look. "You take Tyler for a meal and maybe some shopping. I'm not tagging along."