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

"Tomorrow's Friday already. Got any weekend plans? How about swinging by my place?" Jackson asked, his voice gentle as ever. Go to his place.

When Jackson brought it up, there was pure sincerity in his tone.

Fiona paused to think but eventually shook her head. "I can't. I've got some stuff to deal with, so I won't be able to come over for the next few days." "What's going on?" Jackson asked.

"I found my friend's brother."

Fiona didn't hold back, telling him straight up, "I brought him home with me. He's crashing at my place, and I need to sort out his stuff for a bit." "If there's anything you can't handle, just let me know."

Jackson didn't press further. He figured Fiona, still quite young herself, probably had a friend's brother who was around thirteen or fourteen. He dropped Fiona off at her place, watched her head inside, and then drove off to his own.

...

"Hey, boss!"

Just as Fiona fished out her keys, the door swung open, and Mikey poked his head out, a mischievous look in his eyes.

"What's up?" Fiona gave him a quick glance, casually tossing the keys into his arms.

"Boss, that Jackson guy, does he have a thing for you or what?"

Mikey raised his eyebrows, "You've got to watch out. Jackson's got some serious connections. Getting mixed up with him might be a hassle." "You're way off," Fiona chuckled, motioning him to come closer. As Mikey leaned in, she threw an arm around his shoulder, playfully.

"It's actually your boss here who's got a thing for him."

Mikey: "...Well, I'll be damned."

"Where's the kid?" Fiona asked as she stepped into the entryway, kicking off her shoes. Mikey quickly handed her a pair of bunny slippers.

"He just got out of the shower, should be in his room getting dressed."

Fiona nodded, slipped into the slippers, and headed into the living room.

Mikey tidied up her shoes and grabbed a yogurt from the fridge for her, even popping in a straw.

Fiona curled up on the couch with a throw pillow, lazily sipping the yogurt.

She heard footsteps coming from upstairs and looked up.

The boy, only seventeen, was already quite tall, about six feet. He wore a black long-sleeve shirt over gray pants, moving at a relaxed pace as he descended the stairs. He wasnoveldrama

lean, the shirt hanging a bit lowas

yet you could still make out his well-defined muscles.

His hair was damp from the shower, droplets tracing down his chiseled profile, along his jawline, to his noticeable Adam's apple, and finally disappearing beneath his shirt.

Fiona chewed on her straw, her gaze turning thoughtful.

Well, well.

Not that old.

But definitely in good shape.

Mikey cleared his throat, giving Fiona

as if to remind her.

cheeky-the kid was

! Content be wast

Just like you!

"Ms. Fiona."

Tyler approached and gave her a nod.

"No need to be so formal, take a seat."

Fiona waved a hand casually. "Got everything you need?"

"Yeah." Tyler nodded, not much of a talker, a bit on the quiet side.

"Boss, no worries, I got everything sorted. He's in the room upstairs, next to yours."

Fiona murmured an "Ah," hugging the pillow tighter, shifting into a more comfortable position. Mikey took care of these little details.

"Now that you're out of the rehab center, what's next on your agenda?" Fiona asked.