Lust Next Door - S01 E72

4 months ago

Lust Next Door - S01 E72

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 72

"I want to let people see me, especially all those good people, before it's too late." Serena took a deep breath and wiped her eyes quickly. Her smile didn't feel forced or fake. It sat comfortably on her face as she looked out at the adoring looks on everyone's face.

"That's enough from me, I told myself I wouldn't cry. How about we get to the book signing? Underneath everyone's seat is brand new copies of Foxglove Love. I'm excited to meet all of you." Serena finished it up, and the whole crowd erupted into a clamor of applause and approval.

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A table was set up near a cozy corner of the bookstore. Serena sat behind it, her purse full of Sharpie markers being used as she scribbled her name down on the pristine covers one after the other. They were slid down in front of her face, and like a machine, she smiled and answered some questions from the excited reader while she signed.

She was surprised by how much she was enjoying the evening. She lacked any real relationship with her audience until now.

She regretted that now. Serena regretted a lot of things now.

She finished with one reader, and as they stepped aside for the next, Serena dug through her bag for a fresh marker.

Staring at the spot on the desk, she watched as a battered and beat-up copy of Foxglove Love was placed there instead of the brand-new ones she had supplied.

A voice she could place in a dark room spoke up, directly following it.

"Hope it's okay. I brought my copy." Serena felt a ghostly breath pass through her lips. Then everything stilled as she looked up at Connor. He had a soft smirk. His fingers still braced on the book as the other lay in his pocket. "I was wondering if you could sign on the spine. But instead of Serena, writer shortcake."

The Sharpie fell from her hand, and her eyes widened, "Connor."

Melody had noticed the two of them, and she sprung into action. She stepped before the line and raised her hands, "Skylyn will be taking a ten-minute break and then will be back to finish signing."

Connor didn't think he could own a more treasured object. Not even the ring he received yesterday, signifying his Stanley Cup win, outdid this.

Once the event finally wrapped up, Serena put on her little jacket and fit inside Connor's side. He draped his heavy arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight as they approached the door.

"You did awesome, Shortcake."

Serena looked ahead of them and, with a smile, let out a wistful sigh, "Thank you. It was so much fun meeting everyone and talking about my book. It makes me feel stupid for being so afraid of it."

Connor shrugged and opened the door for them both to walk through, "That's usually how fears work. They seem much smaller when we finally stand bigger than them."

She leaned her head against his side and nodded into him, and he could tell she was getting tired.

Connor smirked as they rounded into the parking lot and turned to her.

"By the way, It dawned on me that I should probably be asking you for a ride home."

Serena looked at him and raised her eyebrow, "What do you mean? I didn't drive here. My car-"

"I know." Connor reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a shiny pair of keys. He dangled them in front of her and smirked, "Imagine my surprise driving home from the game and your car was broken down on the side of the road. So this is yours."

Her mouth fell open as she gingerly took the keys in her hand, twisting them around to see the shiny silver Mercedes logo on the back.

She flicked her gaze back up to him and shook her head, "Connor I-"

"I don't want you having an excuse not to come see me. And I know you would've had that Volkswagen fixed until the mechanic banned you from his shop. I have wanted to replace since I've met you." Connor smirked, seeing her absolute disbelief.

She turned around towards the lot and clicked the unlock button. A beautiful white Mercedes Benz flashed to life off in the distance as if welcoming Serena home.

"This...This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." She turned back to him with a larger-than-life smile. Connor liked that, at this rate, she would get premature smile lines. He would probably get them, too, and he couldn't be happier about it.

He just shrugged as if this wasn't a huge gesture, "It was one of the things I needed to do before coming here, so I hope it was worth my delay."

This piqued Serena's ears, making an eyebrow raise her face, "One of?"

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Connor held his hands over Serena's eyes while he walked behind her. She had driven them both home (at a snail's pace because she was mortified of wrecking her brand-new car), and now he was leading her up the yard between their houses.

"If this was all an elaborate plan to murder me, I'll return as a ghost and haunt you forever." She giggled and stumbled a bit with his body so close to hers.

Connor laughed, too, "God, you're smarter than you look, Shortcake. How'd you figure it out?"

That little quip earned a sharp elbow into his ribcage, but Connor could barely feel it over the sheer excitement swirling around in his body.

He guided her slowly up a stone path and whispered close to her ear, "Steps...careful."

He could feel the swell of her smiling face beneath his hands, and he counted down once he got her right in the middle of the room.

"One..." Connor lifted his palm and revealed the sparkling greenhouse in completion. He had spent all night finishing the window installation, cleaning, and planting an array of bright flowers and greenery. He then spent a lot of the morning hanging twinkling lights and putting finishing touches.

Now, the elegant greenhouse was restored to its former glory. The vast expanse of shining glass reflected the yellow glow of all the lights and shined down on the bright flowers, filling every inch of its circular space.

Serena gasped ever so quietly and took a small step forward. Connor watched her wide blue eyes as all the colors reflected in them. A loving smile filled his lips, and his heart hammered in his chest. He had to shove his hands in his pockets to keep himself from reaching out for her and telling her repeatedly how much he loved her.

She moved about the room slowly, taking her time to look at everything while her nimble fingers brushed the flower petals. Connor would build a hundred greenhouses just to see these reactions, see the happiness on her face, and feel the love in his chest.

She finally looked up at him, and her eyes reflected watery tears, "Connor, this is so beautiful. This must have taken forever."

Connor usually made a flirty joke here but found a vulnerable bloom in his heart instead. "I wanted to do this for you."

Tears rolled down her face, and Connor had her in his arms in a snap second. He caught every tear that fell and kissed the soft apples of her cheeks where the wet tears stained.

"I've never had anyone love me the way you do. I-I in shock a little that someone like you found me."

"I think we were meant to find each other, Serena, and I promise you'll never lose me from here on out. I'll never let you feel an ounce of fear or pain you've felt in the past." Connor cupped her face in his hands, and under the scent of the beautiful foliage, blinking lights, and starry sky, he meant every word.

Serena gazed up at him with a trembling lip and spoke for only him, "I love you, Connor Deluca." It was the exact words she had been saying all day, except this time, Connor could hear the forever tie of their hearts bounding together.

A promise of forever was laced underneath.

Connor smiled, "I love you, Serena Jade."

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