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

Amy noticed Fiona watching her. She'd just finished taking off her makeup, so she turned and met Fiona's gaze with a teasing smile. "Why are you staring at me like that, Fiona? Got something you want to say?"

Jane looked up at the sound of Amy's voice, curiosity flickering in her eyes, though her hands kept moving with whatever she was doing.

Fiona shook her head and looked away. "Nope. Nothing."

She'd checked more than once-Amy really wasn't faking being clueless. But then, how had Amy managed to play Josie so easily? There had to be someone impressive backing her up.

Fiona dropped it and headed to the bathroom to wash up. That night, the three of them hardly spoke. Each girl was wrapped up in her own thoughts, and the room was quiet as they all drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Fiona got a message from Jackson. She rushed to get ready and hurried outside, spotting his car waiting right by the campus gate. Without hesitation, she hopped in, and Jackson greeted her with a smile and a spread of breakfast goodies he'd brought along.noveldrama

"Hey, what are you doing here so early?" Fiona asked, her voice soft with surprise as she took in the pile of pastries and fruit.

She stuffed her mouth with food, cheeks puffed out like a little chipmunk.

"Take your time-there's plenty more," Jackson said, pouring her a glass of milk. Then he added, "I have to head back to the Capital tomorrow. Might be gone for a few days."

"Back to the Capital? So suddenly?" Fiona paused, looking up at him in confusion. "Did something happen?"

She couldn't help but think maybe the Woods family was making trouble for him again. Worry crept across her face.

"It's just business. I'll be back soon," Jackson reassured her.

Fiona finally let herself relax. As long as Jackson was okay, everything else could wait.

Then she remembered the mess with the Reynolds family, and how they'd always made Tyler's life miserable. Now that Jackson was going back to the Capital, maybe he could do something about them.

She told Jackson about Tyler's situation, and to her surprise, he agreed right away.

"I'll handle the Reynolds family when

I get there," he promised. "And I'll get to the bottom of that weird 'eternal life' scam they're running. I'll make sure it's over for good."

"That's perfect," Fiona said, letting out a relieved breath. "Then no one else will have to go through what Tyler did."

After breakfast, Fiona nestled into Jackson's arms for a long, lazy goodbye, not wanting to leave. Eventually, she slipped out and headed toward campus, dragging her feet a little.

Honestly, she kind of wanted to skip school and go with Jackson to the Capital. It had been forever since she'd been back. But she knew he'd never agree to let her come along.

After saying goodbye, Fiona ran into Tyler on her way to class. He was surrounded by a few guys from their grade, all bugging him about when he'd take them on in another match.

The second they noticed Fiona, they scattered.

She walked over and handed Tyler a breakfast box. "Still warm," she said with a smile.

Nash showed up out of nowhere and snagged another breakfast box right from Fiona's hand.

"Jackson's going to the Capital tomorrow," Fiona told Tyler. "I asked him to help with the Reynolds family. They won't mess with you anymore."

Tyler paused, food halfway to his mouth, then nodded and went back to eating.

Fiona could tell he was worrying again. She threw her arms around both Tyler and Nash, grinning. "Come on, let's just be happy from now on. If something's up, don't try to handle it alone. We've got@ach other, okay?"