Chapter 21

In autumn two years earlier, Bridget moves in with Miles, leaving Lucy lonely and nostalgic for their roommate rituals. Seeking companionship, Lucy leans into dating Carter, a polite, stable tech salesman her mother approves of, despite Stacy and Bridget finding him drab. Lucy insists she wants comfort, not passion, even as thoughts of Felix linger.

When Hurricane Fiona threatens PEI, Lucy anxiously tracks the storm. Felix’s side of the island is battered but spared major damage; Summer Wind suffers broken windows and water intrusion. After power returns, Bridget urges Felix to visit Toronto.

At a cozy patio dinner with Bridget, Miles, Carter, and an arriving Felix, Lucy is struck by how good Felix looks but keeps things cordial. The night stays light; only a fleeting glance betrays tension. Lucy invites Felix to stop by In Bloom the next day.

Felix appears after closing. He praises the shop and accepts a bouquet as Lucy’s gift, then suggests dinner. Stacy arrives, instantly clocks the chemistry, and privately urges Lucy to be honest with Bridget and admit Carter isn’t right for her. Shaken, Lucy finishes closing with Felix’s help and they head out.

They wander into a bookstore. When Felix finds Lucy with a flower-farming book, he asks if that’s her dream. Lucy admits she wants a cut-flower farm one day, a secret she hasn’t told Bridget. Felix calls it perfect, buys the book, and says, “Dream big with me,” reaffirming their connection and Lucy’s deeper desires.