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Week 1
Sunday mornings had become sacred after the funeral.
Not because Maya particularly liked mornings, or crowds, or the painfully cheerful atmosphere of Seattle’s weekend farmers market, but her grandmother needed something to look forward to now. Ever since her grandad died three months earlier, the house felt quieter somehow. The clock ticks sounded louder, the television stayed off longer, even the sunlight felt dimmer.
Then last week, while washing dishes, her grandmother had quietly said, “I miss the flowers your grandfather used to bring home from the market.”
It wasn’t a grand statement, or a tearful reminder he’d passed, just a comment. So Maya had gotten up early that Sunday morning and driven herself to the market with absolutely no clue what she was doing.
She stood awkwardly in front of the flower stall, staring at buckets of single stems overflowing with colour. Sunflowers, tulips, and roses sat among the flowers she couldn’t even name but she was sure her grandad could have.
How was she supposed to know what meant what?
“You look a little lost.”
Maya looked up.
The woman behind the stall was beautiful. She had dark curls pulled back from her face, her sleeves were rolled to her elbows as she arranged flowers with careful hands.
Maya forgot what she was about to say.
“I, uh…”
The woman smiled softly, clearly amused. “First time?”
Maya nodded immediately. It was her first time, she had never bought anyone flowers before.
The woman’s smile widened slightly. “Okay,” she said kindly. “That’s okay. Is there a particular colour you want?”
Maya glanced back at the flowers helplessly. “Something bright?” she asked, remembering her grandmother's words.
“Bright,” the woman repeated thoughtfully, then she got to work.
Maya watched in silence as she moved around the stall with an effortless confidence, pulling flowers from different buckets and combining them like she could already see the finished bouquet in her mind before it even existed.
First were the yellows, and then came the oranges. Small white flowers were tucked carefully between them and by the end, it looked like sunlight wrapped in paper.
Maya stared at it, “wow.”
The woman smiled at her reaction, “you like it?”
“Yeah,” Maya admitted quietly. “They’re beautiful, thank you.”
The woman reached beneath the counter and offered her a small card. “Would you like to write a message?”
Maya hesitated before gently shaking her head.
“No,” she said softly. “The flowers will say what I need them to.”
That they still missed him.
That the house could still feel warm.
That happiness wasn’t betrayal.
That even after loss, there could still be colour.
The woman seemed to misread her expression entirely, smiling knowingly as she tucked the blank card away. Maybe a note is a little intense for a first date, she thought to herself.
The woman was already ringing up the bouquet before Maya had a chance to allow her thoughts to linger further.
Maya paid, then glanced around the stall, “where’s your tip jar?”
“I don’t have one,” the woman replied. “I’m Italian. We don’t really do tips the same way there. I never want people to feel pressured.”
Maya nodded slowly.
“I don’t feel pressured,” she said honestly. “You helped me a lot. I’d like to tip you.” Maya held out a few dollar bills.
The woman looked hesitant for a moment before nodding and accepting them, “only because you insisted.”
Maya laughed quietly as she slipped money inside. “You should just get a jar permanently.”
“Hmm?”
“Then people have the choice either way.”
The woman considered that, then smiled, “maybe.”
Maya took the bouquet carefully into her arms.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely.
“Of course,” the woman replied automatically.
Maya smiled before heading out of the market, the flowers bright against the grey Seattle morning, hoping they would also brighten the house the way her grandmother was hoping for.
-
Week 2
The following Sunday, Maya found herself returning to the market without thinking about it too much. She told herself it was because of her grandmother, and that was true. But there may have been another reason she was happy to visit again.
Her grandmother had loved the flowers from the week before. Maya could tell by the way she placed the bouquet carefully in the centre of the kitchen table, commenting on the colours each time she walked past, and smiling a little easier throughout lunch.
For the first time in weeks, the house had felt less heavy so Maya came back, for her grandmother and maybe to see the pretty woman who created the flowers too.
This time, she was already helping another customer when Maya reached the flower stall. Maya stepped aside and drifted toward the display of single stem flowers arranged neatly in rows across the stall. Tulips, roses, lilies, and flowers she still couldn’t name. She liked looking at them individually before they became something more.
She waited patiently until she finished helping the previous customer then looked up and smiled immediately.
“You came back.”
Maya returned the smile.
“I did.”
Her expression softened slightly.
“She loved the flowers?”
Maya nodded.
“She did. So I’m back for more.”
She smiled at that. She always liked hearing that people enjoyed her flowers, there was something especially satisfying about knowing someone had taken them somewhere meaningful.
“Good,” she said simply.
Then her eyes moved toward the flowers Maya had been quietly studying.
“Anything catch your eye?”
Maya looked at the stems again before pointing.
“These.”
Pink tulips.
Her face brightened, tulips were one of her favourite flowers.
“Good choice.”
She reached for six of them and began gathering other flowers to go alongside them.
Maya watched her again, similar to how she had the previous week.
She couldn’t really explain why she enjoyed watching her work so much. There was something gentle about the way she moved through the stall. Nothing felt rushed and every flower seemed chosen deliberately. She adjusted the stems with tiny movements, stepping back occasionally before adding another.
Individual flowers became something cohesive in her hands. Something that looked like it had always belonged together.
She glanced over briefly.
“Something similar in size to last week?”
Maya nodded.
“Yes.”
She smiled and continued building the bouquet while Maya kept watching.
She noticed the concentration in her face, the ease of familiarity in her hands, the way she seemed completely at home surrounded by flowers. It was oddly captivating.
Eventually she held the finished bouquet up.
“Is this okay?”
Maya didn’t answer immediately. Not because there was anything wrong with the flowers, but because she was amazed with the way the bouquet had been created.
She waited for a moment before gently repeating herself.
Maya blinked.
“Oh… sorry. Yes, that’s perfect.”
Her cheeks warmed immediately, but she looked amused in the softest way.
“No need to apologise.”
Maya laughed quietly and looked away.
The flowers were wrapped and the bouquet carefully handed over. Once again, Maya paid and quietly added extra money into her hand rather than leaving it in the nonexistent tip jar.
She noticed instantly.
“You know,” she said softly, “you really don’t have to keep doing that.”
Maya shrugged.
“I know.”
She smiled faintly when Maya looked at the flowers, then back at her.
“It’s worth it.”
She raised an eyebrow and Maya realised she needed to explain.
“To see my grandmother smile when I bring them to Sunday lunch.”
Carina froze for half a second then her expression softened completely.
Oh.
Not for a date or for a girlfriend. The flowers were for her grandmother.
She didn’t ask questions. She simply nodded but the information made her heart beat just a little quicker.
“That’s really lovely.”
Maya smiled slightly and adjusted the bouquet in her arms, then she turned to leave. She’d only taken a few steps when she called after her.
“I’m Carina, by the way.”
Maya stopped and turned back.
“I’m Maya.”
Carina smiled and Maya found herself saying it before she had time to overthink it.
“I’ll see you next week, Carina.”
Carina blinked once then smiled in that warm, slightly shy way that made Maya’s stomach do something unfamiliar.
“Okay,” Carina nodded, hoping that would be true.
Maya smiled back then walked away with flowers tucked safely in her arms.
-
Week 3
By the third Sunday, visiting the farmers market had become part of Maya’s routine on the way to visiting her grandmother.
Each week she had arrived at her grandmother’s house carrying flowers, and each week her grandmother’s face lit up the moment she saw them.
The yellow and orange bouquet from the first week had sat proudly in the middle of the kitchen table until the petals had finally begun to droop. The tulips from the second week had taken their place immediately afterward.
“They’re beautiful, sweetheart,” her grandmother had said over lunch the previous Sunday.
Then, after a brief pause, she’d asked, “Where are you getting them from?”
“The farmers market.”
Her grandmother nodded.
“The flower stall?”
“Yeah.”
“Who’s running it?”
Maya hadn’t expected the question.
“A woman called Carina, I want to say she’s from Italy, she’s very nice.”
The slight blush that followed saying her name had not escaped her grandmother’s attention, unfortunately.
“Oh? Do you know this Carina?” her grandmother had asked, far too innocently.
Maya had immediately looked down at her plate.
“She’s just the florist.”
The smile her grandmother gave her suggested she didn’t believe that for a second.
-
A few days later, when Maya called to confirm their usual Sunday lunch plans, her grandmother had asked if Maya could pick up a few other things from the market while she was there.
Some berries for a cake she wanted to bake and a selection of cheeses for the cheeseboard after lunch. She also said if Maya happened to see any fresh bread or baked treats, to pick up those too.
Maya had offered to pick her up and bring her to the market herself.
“You could always come with me.”
Her grandmother had immediately declined.
“I’ll be busy making lunch.” She’d told her.
Maya hadn’t argued, but she wasn’t convinced. Since her grandfather’s death, her grandmother barely left the house. No matter how gently Maya encouraged her, she always found a reason not to go. Maybe she simply wasn’t ready yet.
So that Sunday morning, Maya made her way through the market alone. She bought fresh blueberries, raspberries and strawberries first. Then she stopped at a cheese stall and selected several varieties she knew her grandmother liked. Finally, she picked up a loaf of freshly baked bread and a small bag of pastries.
Only then did she head toward the flower stall where Carina spotted her almost immediately. A smile appeared on her face before Maya had even reached the stall.
“Good morning, Maya.”
“Good morning, Carina.”
Carina rested her hands on the counter.
“How did your grandmother like the flowers?” She asked, there was genuine curiosity in her voice.
“She loved them,” Maya smiled.
“Good,” Carina visibly relaxed.
“She loved them just as much as the first week.”
That seemed to make Carina even happier.
“What are we going for this week?” she asked.
Maya glanced toward the rows of flowers, there were so many options.
“Honestly, I don’t know.”
Carina laughed softly.
“Take your time. There is no rush.”
As Maya looked, Carina noticed the bags hanging from her arms.
“What else have you bought?”
Maya looked down.
“Oh, my grandmother asked me to pick up some things.”
She explained about the berries, the cheeses and the bread. Then, before she realised it, she found herself talking more.
“I offered to bring her here with me, I think she’d love it here.”
Carina listened quietly.
“But she wouldn’t come.”
Maya sighed.
“She says she’s busy making lunch, but I think she just isn’t ready yet.”
Carina’s expression softened.
“Ready?”
“To go out,” Maya shrugged. “Since my grandfather died, she doesn’t really leave the house anymore.”
The words tumbled out easier than Maya expected.
“I keep trying to encourage her, but I don’t want to push.”
Carina nodded thoughtfully and Maya kept talking. She talked about her grandmother and how lunch every Sunday was always their thing, that her grandfather always expected it to be ready at 12pm on the dot.
How she missed him, but her own grief had been pushed aside to support her grandmother. She talked about how much she missed seeing her grandmother laugh, but how the flowers seemed to help.
Only when her mind came back to the flowers did she realise how much she’d been rambling.
“Oh my god,” she groaned. “You didn’t ask for my life story. I’m so sorry.”
Carina smiled warmly.
“I think it’s very sweet,” Carina said, Maya looked up, “the way you talk about your grandparents.”
A faint smile touched Carina’s lips.
“You clearly love them very much.”
Maya nodded immediately.
“I do,” then she frowned, “did.”
She sighed.
“No, I mean do.”
Carina waited patiently.
“I loved my grandfather. I love my grandmother.”
Carina’s smile softened even more.
“I understood what you meant.”
A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment.
Then Carina suddenly said, “If she likes the cheese and bread, they actually do a lunch here after the market closes.”
Maya looked up.
“They do?”
Carina nodded.
“They bring out tables and chairs. There are usually five or six menu options. Lots of cheeses, pickles, fresh breads.”
She smiled.
“It’s delicious.”
Maya found herself smiling back.
“Maybe bring her here for lunch sometime.”
The suggestion was simple, and Maya appreciated that Carina had actually listened.
“I’ll ask her.”
She wasn’t sure her grandmother would agree, but she appreciated the idea. As Maya looked back toward the flowers, something caught her eye. A large cluster of deep purple blooms.
Carina noticed immediately.
“Those are hydrangeas.”
Maya’s eyes widened.
“They’re beautiful.”
Carina stepped over and pulled several stems from the bucket.
“Purple hydrangeas.”
She carefully arranged them in her hands.
“They usually only bloom from July through to September.”
Maya watched as Carina gathered a little greenery.
“Honestly,” Carina continued, “flowers like these don’t need much else.”
She tucked the greenery between the stems.
“They’re beautiful on their own.”
Unlike the previous weeks, Carina didn’t immediately wrap them.
Instead, she turned the arrangement toward Maya.
“What do you think?”
Maya looked at the flowers, then at Carina, then back at the flowers.
“They’re perfect,” a smile spread across her face, “she’ll love them.”
Carina nodded before tying twine around the stems and wrapping them in brown paper. When she finished, Maya handed over the same twenty-five dollars she had paid the previous weeks.
Carina immediately shook her head.
“This one is less.”
Maya frowned.
“What, why?”
“There are fewer flowers.”
Carina held out some change but Maya ignored it. Then, as usual, she added another five dollars.
Carina stared.
“Oh no.”
“What?”
“I am not taking both.”
Maya blinked.
“Why not?”
“Because,” Carina said firmly, “it is one or the other.”
Maya considered this.
“Okay.”
Carina nodded, pleased.
“How much are the flowers?”
“Fifteen.”
Maya immediately took back the five-dollar tip.
Carina smiled in victory, then realised Maya had still left her ten dollars extra which was double the usual $5 tip.
For a second neither of them spoke, then Carina burst out laughing.
“Ma-ya.”
“What?”
“You are impossible.”
Maya grinned, but didn’t respond.
“Thank you, Maya.”
She nodded.
“You’re welcome.”
A thought suddenly occurred to her.
“What time is the lunch again?”
Carina’s face brightened.
“The market closes around eleven thirty. Lunch starts at twelve. Sometimes I go over.”
Maya adjusted the flowers in her arms.
“Oh?”
Carina nodded.
“They sell the most wonderful ,” her eyes lit up, “and the jam.”
“Jam?”
Carina stared.
“Yes.”
Maya frowned.
“Jam?”
Carina waved a dismissive hand.
“Jam, jelly, fruit spread. Whatever you Americans call it.”
Maya laughed.
“It is very good, it’s usually sold out by the time I finish and head over, but it’s my favourite when I can get some.”
“It is?”
“Absolutely.”
Maya shook her head, smiling. She quietly tucked away the information about the and jam.
“Thank you,” Maya said, as always, she was grateful for the flowers Carina could make for her.
“You’re welcome.”
She started to turn away when Carina spoke again.
“Will I see you again next week?”
The question caught Maya off guard. She looked back and noticed that Carina looked almost nervous.
“You will.”
Carina visibly relaxed.
Maya adjusted the bouquet against her chest.
“I quite enjoy my Sunday mornings here now.”
Something flickered across Carina’s face, the kind she tried very hard not to show. She bit the inside of her cheek hoping Maya meant she enjoyed seeing her.
“I always look forward to your visits,” Carina admitted quietly.
Maya’s cheeks immediately warmed and the blush made Carina smile.
“I’ll see you next Sunday, Carina.”
“I’ll be here.”
Maya waved before heading back through the market, and Carina watched her disappear into the crowd.
Hoping there would never be a Sunday morning where Maya didn’t show up.
-
Week 4
By the fourth Sunday, Maya woke up smiling, which wasn’t something that usually happened.
For a long time, Sundays had simply been another day. A quiet drive to her grandmother’s house, lunch together, and then home again.
Now, somewhere along the way, she had started looking forward to them. More specifically, she had started looking forward to her visit to a certain flower stall.
Throughout the week, she had found herself wondering about Carina far more often than she probably should have. She wondered what Carina did when she wasn’t standing behind a stall surrounded by flowers. She wondered where she lived and what she did for fun. What her favourite food was and what music she listened to. She wondered whether she spent her evenings reading books or watching television or calling family back in Italy.
And, perhaps most embarrassingly, Maya wondered whether Carina was single. And if she was, whether she liked women. Maya knew the chances weren’t particularly high. But there had been moments over the past few weeks when she could have sworn Carina was looking at her differently. Not just politely, not just as a customer, but something softer, something that seemed curious, and that thought lingered with her all week.
This Sunday, however, her grandmother hadn’t asked her to collect anything from the market. No berries, or cheese, no breads or pastries. Just flowers. Still, Maya didn’t head straight for the flower stall.
Instead, she found herself wandering through the rows of vendors looking for something else.
Jam.
Or jelly.
Or fruit spread.
Whatever Americans apparently called it.
The memory of Carina passionately defending the word “jam” made Maya smile as she walked.
Carina had mentioned how much she loved jams and preserves sold at one particular stall. She’d also mentioned that they usually sold out before she finished packing up her flowers.
That thought had also stayed with Maya all week. If Carina wouldn’t let her overpay for flowers anymore, perhaps this would be another way to thank her.
Eventually she found the stall, filled with rows upon rows of glass jars lining the wooden shelves. She stopped in front of the display and immediately realised she had absolutely no idea what she was looking for. There were too many choices. Pear, plum, strawberry, blackberry. Jam infused with lemon or cinnamon or orange.
The possibilities seemed endless.
“Can I help you, dear?”
Maya looked up.
An older woman stood behind the stall, smiling warmly.
“Oh. Hi.”
The woman waited patiently as Maya glanced back toward the shelves.
“I was actually recommended this stall, but now I have no idea what I’m supposed to be trying.”
“Really?” the woman seemed pleased. “By who?”
Maya hesitated then pointed vaguely across the market.
“Carina. The woman who runs the flower stall.”
Recognition immediately lit up the woman’s face.
“Ah.” She smiled knowingly. “Carina.”
Maya suddenly felt slightly self-conscious, but watched as the woman reached for several jars.
“Such a beautiful girl.”
Maya’s cheeks warmed, the woman either didn’t notice or chose not to mention it.
Instead, she placed three jars on the counter.
“These are her favourites.”
Maya leaned forward.
The labels read;
Onion Marmalade.
Spiced Pear.
Orange Blossom.
Maya studied them.
“Does she have a favourite favourite?”
The older woman’s smile widened.
“Oh, she absolutely does.”
She picked up the orange blossom and handed it to Maya.
“This one.”
Maya accepted the jar carefully.
“We usually sell out before she gets here.”
“Really?” Maya asked, already knowing the answer but not wanting to seem like she already knew this information.
The woman nodded.
“We’ve offered to put one aside for her.”
Maya could already guess where this story was going.
The woman laughed.
“She refuses.”
Of course she did.
“She says it should be available for everyone.”
Maya smiled. That sounded exactly like Carina, or at least the version of Carina she was slowly getting to know. The version where Carina was kind and thoughtful. The type of person who would rather miss out herself than make someone else feel excluded. The thought made Maya smile even more.
“I’ll take four.”
The woman raised an eyebrow.
“Four?”
“Two of the orange blossom.”
Maya pointed at the others.
“And one of each of those.”
The woman nodded.
“Excellent choice.”
As she packed the order, Maya noticed something suspicious. Three jars disappeared into one brown paper bag, but the single orange blossom went into a much smaller bag by itself.
The woman folded the top neatly and handed both over. Maya looked from the bags to the woman. The woman smiled innocently, far too innocently, and Maya couldn’t help laughing.
“Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, dear.”
Maya paid before taking the bags.
As she walked away, she could practically feel the older woman’s eyes following her, no doubt already drawing conclusions Maya wasn’t quite ready to admit to herself. Still smiling, Maya tucked the smaller bag securely beneath her arm and made her way back through the market. Back toward the flower stall, back toward Carina.
Carina spotted Maya long before she reached the flower stall. A smile was already spread across Maya’s face as she moved through the market, weaving between customers with two brown paper bags tucked beneath her arm.
Carina immediately found herself wondering what had put that smile there. And, perhaps more importantly, whether one day she could be the reason for it. As if sensing she was being watched, Maya glanced up. Their eyes met across the market and Maya’s smile somehow grew even wider.
“Hi!”
The greeting was loud enough that several people turned to look. Carina laughed immediately and lifted her hand in response.
“Buongiorno, Maya.”
She abandoned the flowers she had been tidying and focused entirely on the woman approaching her.
When Maya finally reached the stall, slightly breathless from hurrying over, Carina’s attention dropped to the bags she was carrying.
“What have you been buying this week?”
Maya held up one of the bags.
“Well, as per your recommendation, I am trying some of the jams as you call them.”
Carina smiled.
“And?”
“Well I haven’t tried them yet.”
Carina laughed.
“But I bought a few.” Maya reassured her.
She lifted the loaf of bread in her other hand.
“And some bread to go with them.”
Carina peered curiously into the bag, then her eyebrows shot upward.
“Wait.” She looked again. “These are my favourites.”
Maya’s smile turned knowing.
“I know.”
Carina looked up.
“You know?”
“The woman told me.”
Maya nodded toward the stall.
“Once she found out you were the one who sent me there.”
Carina laughed softly, of course Margaret had told her. That woman had never been capable of keeping anything to herself.
“Well,” Carina said, smiling warmly, “I hope you enjoy them.”
Maya nodded.
“I’m sure I will.”
A comfortable silence settled between them before Carina gestured toward the flowers.
“Are you wanting flowers for your grandmother today?”
“Yes, please.”
Carina smiled.
“Any preference?”
Maya considered the question, turning to look at the stems briefly but nothing caught her eye.
“Do you have a favourite?” Maya asked.
For a moment, Carina looked genuinely caught off guard by the question. A faint blush coloured her cheeks as she glanced down at the flowers. Maya noticed it immediately but she didn’t comment, she simply waited while Carina seemed to consider her answer.
Eventually, Carina looked away first and reached into a nearby bucket, pulling out three enormous sunflowers. Maya couldn’t help but smile.
Of course it would be sunflowers. Bright, warm and impossible to ignore, they seemed to suit Carina perfectly. As Carina carefully gathered them into her hands, Maya quietly tucked the information away alongside all the other small things she had learned about her over the past few weeks.
Carina continued building the bouquet around them, adding smaller flowers and greenery until the arrangement looked effortlessly beautiful.
Maya watched the entire process because by now, it felt like part of her Sunday ritual. Watching Carina create something beautiful from individual stems.
This week, however, Carina didn’t ask if Maya liked them.
She simply wrapped them confidently as if she already knew the answer.
“I picked up some ribbon this week,” Carina said, as she held up a roll of yellow satin. “Would you like a bow?”
Maya nodded.
“I’d love a bow.”
Carina’s smile brightened as she tied it carefully around the stems. When she finished, Maya handed over the money without argument. No extra tip, no debate, simply the amount Carina had asked for. Carina accepted it with a pleased nod.
Then Maya placed something else into her hand, something wrapped in a small brown paper bag.
“Maya,” she whispered.
Her eyes filled instantly, without even needing to open it, she knew what was inside.
She unfolded the top of the bag and found what she already knew, her favourite orange blossom . The one she very rarely managed to get, the one she so casually mentioned that she hadn’t realised Maya would remember.
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it, and Maya’s expression changed immediately.
“Oh God.”
She stepped forward.
“I’m sorry. Did I get the wrong one?”
Carina shook her head quickly.
“No.”
Another tear escaped, but she laughed through it.
“No, it’s perfect.”
Maya still looked worried as Carina wiped at her eyes.
“I just…” she shook her head, “I’m not used to this. I’ve had a lifetime of grand gestures.”
A sad smile touched her face.
“Expensive gifts or big surprises, people trying to impress me.”
Her fingers tightened around the jar.
“But this?”
She looked up.
“You listened, you actually remembered,” Carina laughed softly, “and somehow that feels special.”
“You’re special.”
The words left Maya’s mouth before she could stop them, causing Carina’s head to snap up. Maya felt her face immediately grow hot. She could have taken it back, or laughed it off. She could have made it a joke and pretended she’d meant something else.
But she didn’t, because she hadn’t misspoken. She had meant it. But she could see the uncertainty in Carina’s eyes. The expectation that Maya would retreat from what she’d said or that she’d explain it away.
Instead, Maya stepped closer and repeated it.
“You are special.”
Fresh tears filled Carina’s eyes and for a moment she couldn’t speak at all. Because she honestly couldn’t remember the last time someone had said something like that and meant it. Not because of what she looked like or what she could do for them. Just because she was herself.
Finally, she reached across the counter, her hand settled gently over Maya’s.
“Thank you,” her voice cracked, “so much.”
Another tear escaped.
“I can’t believe I’m crying over jam.”
Maya laughed softly then squeezed her hand, cutting Carina off before she could apologise.
“You’re welcome.”
Neither of them moved away, not straight away. Eventually Maya spoke again.
“I’ll see you next week?”
It sounded more like certainty than a question, but Carina nodded immediately.
“I’ll be here.”
Reluctantly, she withdrew her hand to wipe away the remaining tears.
Maya nodded toward the .
“Enjoy it.”
Carina laughed.
“You too.”
Then her expression softened.
“And I hope your grandmother likes the flowers.”
Maya smiled.
“I hope they make her smile this week.”
There it was, that kind and thoughtful person, the one Maya believed Carina to be. Exactly the way Maya had been slowly discovering over the past month.
“I think they will,” Maya replied quietly.
Neither woman moved, Maya wasn’t quite ready to leave and Carina clearly wasn’t ready for her to go. For a few seconds, they simply stood there smiling at one another, then another customer approached. Carina sighed internally, duty called.
The customer stepped up to the stall and immediately began asking questions about roses. Carina glanced apologetically toward Maya. Maya nodded and stepped aside, she should probably leave, but she didn’t want to. Carina noticed Maya was still nearby and smiled.
Then, before Carina could overthink it, she rounded the corner of the stall. As she passed Maya, she slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her briefly into a side hug. It was a small squeeze, one that only lasted a second and then she was gone again, moving toward the waiting customer.
Maya stood frozen in her place, because Carina had initiated it. Not the other way around. The brief contact lingered long after she’d stepped away.
And as Maya finally turned to leave the market, with the flowers tucked against her chest and a smile she couldn’t seem to get rid of, she realised it wasn’t the , or the flowers, or even the conversation she would remember most.
It was that tiny side hug. That one brief moment where Carina had been the one to reach for her first.
-
Week 5
As expected, Maya’s grandmother loved the sunflowers.
The moment Maya had walked through the front door carrying the bouquet, her grandmother’s face had lit up. The bright yellow flowers had taken pride of place in the kitchen, replacing the purple hydrangeas from the week before.
“They’re beautiful, sweetheart,” she’d said for what felt like the hundredth time over the past month.
And every week, Maya found herself smiling a little more when she heard it. By now, bringing flowers had become part of their routine. Starting with her drive to the market, the stop at Carina’s stall, and finally lunch at her grandmother’s house.
It all fit together so naturally that Maya couldn’t imagine spending her Sunday any other way. Which was why her grandmother’s next comment caught her completely off guard.
“You know,” she said casually while arranging the sunflowers in a vase, “you don’t have to buy me flowers every week.”
Maya looked up from where she was setting the table.
“What?”
Her grandmother shrugged lightly.
“They’re lovely, I adore them. But you don’t have to keep spending money on me every week.”
Maya opened her mouth to respond, only to realise she didn’t actually have an answer. Because the truth was, the flowers weren’t really the reason she kept going anymore. At least not entirely.
Sure, her grandmother loved them and that part mattered. But even if her grandmother suddenly decided she never wanted another bouquet again, Maya knew exactly what she’d still do that next Sunday morning.
Her grandmother watched her quietly then smiled that knowing smile. The kind that made Maya immediately suspicious.
“Unless,” her grandmother said carefully, “it’s not actually the flowers you’re going for anymore.”
Maya froze and her grandmother’s smile widened.
“And it’s the girl selling them.”
Maya’s head snapped up so fast she nearly gave herself whiplash. Across the kitchen, her grandmother simply raised an eyebrow. Neither of them spoke, they didn’t need to because in that moment, Maya knew. And judging by the look on her grandmother’s face, she knew too.
A blush crept up Maya’s neck and her grandmother laughed softly.
“Oh sweetheart.”
Maya groaned.
“Please don’t.”
“I’m just saying.”
“Don’t.”
The older woman smiled into her cup of tea.
Maya looked away, because she couldn’t argue. Not anymore, not after four weeks of looking forward to Sundays. Not after catching herself wondering what Carina did during the week or after remembering tiny details about her favourite flowers and favourite jams, and especially not after replaying that side hug more times than she cared to admit.
The flowers had become the excuse, and somehow that felt both terrifying and wonderful.
-
That Sunday she woke up before her alarm. She laid staring at the ceiling for several minutes before smiling because it was Sunday. And Sunday meant she was going to the market, Sunday meant she was going to see Carina. The thought alone was enough to put her in a good mood.
As she got ready, she found herself wondering whether Carina had enjoyed the jam. Whether she’d finished it already and if she’d thought about Maya when she opened the jar.
The questions followed her all the way to the market, but beneath all of them was one simple hope. More than anything else, Maya hoped Carina would be happy to see her.
Carina spotted Maya almost immediately. The second she saw her emerging through the crowd, her entire face lit up. There was no hesitation this time, no wondering whether Maya would come by. Carina’s smile appeared instantly, warm and genuine and entirely impossible to hide.
And Maya noticed. God, she noticed, because she felt her own smile growing in response. This week, she didn’t stop at any other stalls, she didn’t browse or pretend she was there for anything else. She walked straight to Carina.
The moment she reached the stall, Carina stepped out from behind it. Before Maya could even say hello, Carina wrapped her arms around her in a hug. A real hug, not a brief side squeeze or an accidental brush of shoulders. But an actual hug. Maya froze again, but Carina seemed completely unaware of the effect she was having.
“I’ve been wanting to tell you all week,” she said as she pulled back slightly. “The jam was incredible.”
Carina’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
“I had it for breakfast almost every day.”
Maya laughed softly.
“You did?”
“On toast, with yogurt. I even put some on my granola.”
Carina shook her head dramatically.
“I may have become slightly obsessed.”
Maya felt warmth spread through her chest.
“I’m glad you liked it.”
Carina smiled.
“I loved it.”
Only then did she seem to notice Maya was still standing there looking slightly stunned.
Her smile softened.
“Did you try yours?”
That finally pulled Maya back into the conversation.
She nodded quickly.
“I did.”
“And?”
“The pear.”
Carina’s eyebrows lifted.
“The pear?”
Maya nodded.
“I think that was my favourite.”
Carina smiled. It was a tiny thing, knowing Maya had a favourite flavour. Yet somehow it felt important, like another thread quietly connecting them.
“I’m glad you liked them,” Carina said.
Maya nodded.
“I’m glad you did too.”
Carina’s gaze lingered for a moment before she asked, “Did your grandmother like the sunflowers?”
Immediately, Maya smiled.
“She loved them.”
Carina visibly relaxed.
“Good.”
“Honestly, she loves all of them.”
Carina looked pleased by that. Before either of them could continue, another customer approached the stall. Carina sighed dramatically.
“Duty calls.”
Maya laughed.
“I’ll let you work.”
The customer stepped forward and Maya automatically moved aside, but she didn’t leave. She simply stepped to the side of the stall and waited. Carina noticed immediately, the customer didn’t but Carina did. And she found herself smiling every time she looked up and saw Maya still there.
As the morning continued, Maya watched. One after another, customers approached. Maya watched Carina help customers choose flowers. She watched her explain arrangements and recommend bouquets. She watched her laugh and chat and work.
And then she realised something. Carina was kind to everyone. She was friendly and patient, but she wasn’t the same with everyone else as she was with Maya. The smiles she gave other customers weren’t the smiles she gave Maya. The way her eyes softened wasn’t the same. The way she looked for Maya in between conversations wasn’t the same.
Maya wasn’t imagining it. Every few moments Carina’s gaze drifted back toward her. As if she was making sure she was still there, that she hadn’t disappeared. At one point, Maya caught her looking and Carina smiled immediately. Then, while another customer was busy examining flowers, she mouthed a single word.
Stay.
Maya felt her stomach flip, she nodded immediately and Carina’s smile widened. Beside the register there was a small wooden stool. Maya had been lingering, but decided to sit down quietly.
From across the stall, Carina couldn’t stop herself from looking over. The sight of Maya sitting there felt strangely comfortable. It felt like she’d always belonged there, like simply seeing her every Sunday wasn’t enough anymore.
Carina found herself thinking she could get very used to this, she could get used to Maya sitting beside her while she worked, to looking up and finding her sitting there.
And Maya?
Maya was perfectly content exactly where she was. She’d happily spend hours watching Carina work if it meant getting these small moments in between. The smiles, the conversations, the secret glances. The feeling that maybe, just maybe, she wasn’t the only one looking forward to Sunday mornings anymore.
Eventually, Carina finished putting together a bouquet for another customer. After taking payment, she made her way back toward the register.
Maya started to stand, instinctively moving out of the way. Before she could fully rise, Carina’s hand settled gently on her shoulder.
“Stay.”
The smile that accompanied it was even softer. Maya looked up at her, then slowly sat back down. Carina’s fingers squeezed her shoulder once before withdrawing. She smiled, as if she’d gotten exactly what she wanted. Which, judging by the smile she wore as she returned to her flowers, she probably had.
Eventually, the steady stream of customers began to slow. For the last hour, it had felt as though every time Carina finished helping one person, another had appeared in their place. Throughout it all, Maya had remained perched on the stool beside the register, content to watch and wait.
The moment there was finally a break, Carina immediately turned her full attention back to her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, stepping closer. “I feel like you’ve been waiting forever.”
Maya smiled.
“You were working.”
“Still.”
Carina leaned against the counter.
“I kept thinking I’d get a chance to talk to you, and then another customer appeared.”
“I didn’t mind.”
Carina raised an eyebrow.
“No?”
Maya shook her head.
“No. I’d wait all day.”
The words left her mouth casually, but the effect they had on Carina was immediate. A blush spread across her cheeks, Maya tried not to smile too much at having caused it. Carina looked away for a moment before clearing her throat.
“Flowers for your grandmother?”
Maya nodded.
“Flowers for my grandmother.”
This time, Carina didn’t ask what colours she wanted. She didn’t ask what flowers had caught her eye. Instead, she simply moved around the stall, selecting stems with complete confidence.
Pink roses mixed with soft pink carnations and tiny blush-coloured filler flowers Maya didn’t know the name of.
The bouquet gradually took shape in Carina’s hands. Maya watched the entire process, just as she always did. At this point, she trusted Carina completely. If Carina handed her a bouquet made entirely of flowers Maya had never seen before, she’d still buy it without hesitation.
But she loved watching, she loved seeing the concentration on Carina’s face, and she loved seeing individual stems become something beautiful. It was becoming one of her favourite parts of the week.
Eventually, Carina stepped back and examined her work. A smile appeared on her face.
“Bow?”
Maya smiled and nodded.
“Bow.”
Carina laughed softly before reaching for a roll of pale pink ribbon.
A few moments later, the bouquet was wrapped neatly in brown paper and finished with a perfect pink bow.
“There.”
Maya accepted it carefully.
“It’s beautiful.”
Carina’s smile softened.
“Thank you.”
Maya reached into her bag and pulled out her wallet. She paid for the flowers. Then, as always, added a little extra.
Carina laughed the second she realised.
“You never learn.”
“You never stop arguing about it.”
“Because you’re impossible.”
“And yet, you still like me.”
The words slipped out before Maya could stop them. Carina’s eyes widened, but then she smiled.
“Yes,” a beat passed, “I do.”
The simple honesty of it made Maya’s stomach flip. Before she could respond, Carina bent down behind the counter and retrieved a glass bottle. She held it out toward Maya.
“I bought you something.”
Maya blinked.
“You did?”
Carina nodded.
“After you bought me the last week.”
Maya accepted the bottle, the label showed it was a raspberry lemonade.
“It’s not from this market,” Carina explained. “I work at another market during the week and they sell this there.”
Her smile softened.
“It’s my favourite.”
Maya looked down at the bottle and then back at Carina.
“You bought me your favourite lemonade?”
Carina shrugged.
“I thought you might like to try it.”
The gesture was so thoughtful and so unmistakably Carina that Maya didn’t even think. She simply stepped forward and hugged her. This time, Maya initiated it, but Carina’s arms wrapped around her immediately and neither of them seemed particularly eager to let go.
Eventually, Maya smiled against her shoulder.
“Thank you,” her voice was quiet, “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Carina pulled back slightly, one arm still remained loosely around Maya’s waist.
“It’s raspberry.”
Maya nodded at the information, despite having already read the label.
“It’s best over ice.”
Carina said it with such seriousness that Maya laughed.
“I’ll make sure I follow the instructions exactly.”
“You’d better.”
Maya smiled.
“I’ll have it with lunch.”
“At your grandmother’s?”
“At my grandmother’s.” Maya confirmed.
Carina looked pleased by that.
“So.”
Maya tilted her head.
“So?”
Carina smiled.
“Next week?”
Maya smiled immediately.
“Next week.”
Carina visibly relaxed.
“I’ll be here.”
Maya shifted the flowers slightly in her arms.
“Maybe I’ll come earlier.”
Carina’s eyebrows lifted.
“Oh?”
“I could watch you work again.”
The smile that spread across Carina’s face was impossible to miss.
“I’d like that.”
Maya felt absurdly pleased by the answer.
Carina thought for a moment.
“I’m here from five-thirty.”
Maya stared.
“Five thirty in the morning?”
“The market opens at six.”
“That is an unreasonable time to be awake.”
Carina laughed.
“But you’re welcome anytime.”
Maya shook her head.
“Maybe not at five thirty, but I’ll come earlier than usual.”
Carina nodded.
“Okay.”
Maya hesitated, then an idea occurred to her.
“I could bring coffee.”
Carina immediately brightened.
“Coffee?”
“Coffee and maybe breakfast?”
Carina smiled.
“That sounds perfect.”
Then she paused.
“Although.”
Maya already knew there was more.
“Although?”
Carina lifted a finger.
“I only drink authentic Italian coffee.”
She looked completely serious, but Maya burst out laughing.
“Authentic Italian coffee?”
Carina nodded solemnly.
“Very important.”
“I see.”
The corners of Carina’s mouth twitched. The seriousness lasted all of three seconds before she started laughing too.
Maya shook her head.
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Authentic Italian coffee.”
Carina nodded approvingly.
“Good.”
Maya had absolutely no idea where she was supposed to find authentic Italian coffee. But she was already planning to spend the week figuring it out. She gathered the flowers and the bottle of lemonade into her arms.
Already looking forward to next Sunday.
“I’ll see you next week.”
“I’ll see you then.”
Maya began walking backwards through the market.
Then suddenly stopped.
“You don’t have any allergies, do you?”
Carina laughed.
“No allergies.”
“Good.”
She considered it for a second.
“Although, ideally, nothing with mushrooms.”
Her nose scrunched slightly as she said it. Maya nearly melted on the spot because it was, without question, the cutest thing she had ever seen.
“No mushrooms.”
“No mushrooms.”
“And authentic Italian coffee.”
“Authentic Italian coffee.”
Maya nodded seriously.
“I can do that.”
Carina smiled.
“I believe you can.”
Maya waved before finally turning away.
“See you next Sunday, Carina.”
“See you next Sunday, Maya.”
And, as Maya disappeared into the crowd carrying the flowers and raspberry lemonade, she wasn’t the only one already counting down the days. Back at the stall, Carina was too.
-
Week 6
Maya spent far more time researching coffee than any reasonable person should. It started innocently enough, a quick search for authentic Italian coffee near the market. Then one search became three, which then turned into reading reviews, and the reviews became a comparison of local cafés.
And, before she knew it, she was sitting on her couch at eleven o’clock on a Tuesday night reading lengthy debates written by strangers arguing about espresso beans, brewing methods, and whether Americans had somehow ruined coffee entirely.
Apparently, many places claimed to sell authentic Italian coffee, but far fewer had reviews from actual Italians agreeing with them.
Maya eventually narrowed the list down to a handful of options before selecting a small café a few blocks from the market. The reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and several people who claimed to have lived in Italy insisted it was the closest thing they’d found outside Europe.
Maya decided that was good enough.
She just hoped it would still be hot by the time she reached the flower stall.
By Friday, she found herself planning the rest of breakfast too. Nothing overly complicated, just enough to share. A basket of fresh fruit sat ready in her kitchen, and she’d already decided she would stop by the market bakery on Sunday morning to pick up pastries. Every time she added something to her mental checklist, she heard Carina’s voice.
Authentic Italian coffee.
The memory made her smile every single time.
The previous Sunday, she’d mentioned her plans to her grandmother over lunch. Predictably, her grandmother had immediately declared it a date.
“It is not a date.”
“It sounds like a date.”
“It isn’t.”
“You’re bringing breakfast and coffee to a woman you think about constantly.”
Maya nearly choked on her lemonade.
“I do not think about her constantly.”
Her grandmother had simply looked at her and Maya had lasted all of five seconds before looking away.
“Okay, maybe sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
Maya groaned, but her grandmother laughed.
“It’s a date.” Her grandmother insisted.
“It isn’t.”
“Why?”
“Because she’ll be working.”
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow.
“And?”
Maya frowned.
“How can it be a date if she’s behind a flower stall serving customers?”
Her grandmother looked entirely unconvinced.
“I don’t think that’s how dates work.”
“It’s breakfast.”
“It’s breakfast with someone you like.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“Sweetheart.”
The amused smile that followed had made Maya want to hide beneath the table. The conversation had ended there, but the thought hadn’t.
Because all week, Maya found herself wondering. What if Carina thought it was a date? The question followed her everywhere, it followed her while she worked, while she drove, while she stood in line at the grocery store.
What if Carina had interpreted the invitation differently? What if she’d spent the week expecting something more than breakfast? What if Maya showed up on Sunday morning with coffee and pastries and somehow accidentally gave entirely the wrong impression?
The thought made her nervous and, if she was being honest, a little hopeful too.
-
Maya arrived at the market earlier than usual, just as she’d promised.
She still wasn’t entirely sure whether arriving earlier would mean Carina was less busy or more busy, but either way, she didn’t mind. She had spent the entire week preparing for this morning.
The basket of fruit had sat carefully on the passenger seat beside her. Earlier that morning she’d stopped to collect the coffee. Authentic Italian coffee, at least according to every review she’d read. Then made one final detour to collect the pastries just a few stalls down from Carina’s.
By the time she reached the flower stall, Carina was already busy. There were several customers waiting while Carina moved between buckets of flowers, answering questions and building bouquets. Her back was turned toward Maya, completely focused on her work.
Maya paused for a moment, part of her wanted to walk over immediately, to hear Carina say good morning, to see that smile, to look into those warm brown eyes that seemed to find her no matter how crowded the market became.
Instead, she quietly made her way to the stool she’d occupied the previous week. She set the basket, pastries and coffee carefully on the counter beside her and sat down.
Then she waited, and watched. She watched Carina laugh with an elderly customer who couldn’t decide between roses and lilies. She watched her carefully wrap a bouquet for a young man who looked far more nervous than Maya had ever been buying flowers.
Maya could have watched her all day. Thankfully, she didn’t have to because one by one the customers drifted away. The stall slowly began to empty.
Then Carina turned. For a second she simply froze, but as her eyes landed on Maya, her entire face lit up. The smile that followed was so immediate and genuine that Maya felt it all the way down to her chest.
“Maya.”
Before Maya could even stand, Carina was already crossing the small space between them, arms wrapped around her instantly.
“Good morning.”
The words were accompanied by a tight squeeze. Maya laughed as she hugged her back.
“Good morning to you too.”
And for perhaps the first time in her life, Maya realised she genuinely enjoyed being hugged. At least when the person doing it was Carina. Eventually, they pulled apart, though neither moved very far away.
“I brought breakfast.”
Carina’s eyes brightened.
“You did?”
Maya picked up one of the coffee cups and handed it over.
“And, as requested, authentic Italian coffee.”
Carina glanced down at the logo, recognising it immediately.
“Maya,” she said softly. A grin spread across her face. “You actually found this place?”
“It took research.”
Carina laughed.
“A lot of research, I assume.”
“You have no idea.”
Carina looked genuinely touched.
“This is my favourite coffee place.”
Maya’s smile widened, her research had paid off.
“This is perfect.”
She held the cup carefully before looking back toward the counter.
“What else do we have?”
Maya reached for the basket.
“Fruit.”
Carina leaned forward as Maya lifted the cloth covering it. Inside were neatly prepared strawberries, grapes and melon.
“Oh wow.”
Then Maya lifted the brown paper bag.
“And pastries.”
Carina looked delighted. Without hesitation she reached inside and grabbed a pain au chocolat. The speed of it made Maya laugh.
“There it is.”
Carina paused halfway through opening the paper wrapper.
“What?”
“Your favourite.”
Carina looked entirely unapologetic. “It has chocolate,” she said, as if that explained everything.
Carina took a bite and immediately closed her eyes. A soft hum of appreciation escaped her, and Maya couldn’t stop smiling.
“Good?”
Carina nodded, and pointed at the pastry.
The sight of Carina standing there with coffee in one hand and pastry in the other, looking genuinely happy, felt strangely important. Like she’d somehow managed to bring a little bit of joy into Carina’s morning.
A customer appeared looking for flowers to celebrate a birthday, and Carina immediately slipped back into work mode. Maya watched as she recommended bright gerberas and carefully explained which flowers would last the longest.
While Carina wrapped the bouquet, Maya picked up a strawberry from the basket. Without thinking, she held it out. Carina looked at it, then at Maya. Then smiled, opening her mouth slightly. Maya laughed and placed the strawberry in her mouth.
The entire exchange lasted less than two seconds, yet somehow it left both of them smiling.
The customer paid and walked away.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Another customer arrived before she could say anything else.
A few minutes later, while Carina was reaching for the ribbon, Maya held up her coffee. Carina immediately leaned over and took a sip from the cup Maya offered. The casualness of it startled Maya for half a second, it was as if they’d been doing this forever.
Carina swallowed and sighed dramatically.
“Perfect.”
“You really like your coffee.”
“I am Italian.”
“As if that explains everything.”
“It explains most things.”
Maya laughed.
A customer chose that exact moment to interrupt and ask about peonies, Carina apologised with a smile before turning her attention elsewhere.
Maya settled back onto her stool and watched. She loved watching, or at least she loved watching Carina. The concentration on her face and the way she somehow remembered every customer’s name if they’d visited before.
When another lull appeared, Carina made her way back to Maya.
“What are you smiling about?”
Maya blinked.
“I didn’t realise I was smiling.”
“You were.”
Carina reached for a grape from the basket.
“You do it a lot when you’re here.”
Maya’s cheeks warmed.
“I could say the same thing about you.”
Carina’s smile widened, but before she could reply, another customer appeared. This one wanted flowers for a wedding anniversary and once again, Maya watched as Carina carefully selected white roses and soft pink blooms.
A few minutes later, while tying a ribbon around the arrangement, Carina glanced over to see Maya was already holding out another strawberry. Carina laughed.
“You’ve decided I’m incapable of feeding myself.”
“You’ve had one bite of pastry in twenty minutes.”
“I’ve been working.”
“Exactly.”
But despite the argument, Carina accepted the strawberry. And that’s how the morning passed. Small conversations between customers, Maya passing fruit across the counter whenever Carina forgot to eat and Carina stealing sips of coffee whenever she walked past.
Maya quickly realised that Carina laughed every time she fed her, and Maya wanted to hear that laugh on repeat, so by mid morning, Maya had run out of food to feed her.
Luckily, the stall settled, this was the usual time Maya would arrive and often get Carina to herself.
“Thank you for breakfast.”
Maya smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Carina looked down at the basket, then back at Maya.
“You know…”
“What?”
“This is my favourite Sunday morning so far.”
Maya’s heart immediately melted. She wanted more of this, more Sunday morning breakfasts, more researching authentic Italian coffees, more… Carina.
“I think it’s mine too.”
The look Carina gave her after that made it very difficult to remember why she’d spent the week insisting this wasn’t a date. But she also knew she wanted to date Carina when she wasn’t working, she just needed to find a way to make it work.
Eventually, Maya glanced down at her watch. The smile on her face immediately faltered.
“No.”
Carina looked over from where she was trimming stems.
“No?”
Maya groaned.
“I have to leave soon.”
Carina followed her gaze to the time and immediately understood.
“Sunday lunch.”
Maya nodded.
“Sunday lunch.”
Neither of them looked particularly happy about it. The entire morning had disappeared somehow. They had spent hours talking between customers, sharing breakfast and coffee, and simply existing in one another’s company. It felt unfair that it was already over.
Without saying anything else, Carina turned back to her flowers. Maya assumed she was finishing a customer’s order until she noticed Carina wasn’t reaching for the flowers she’d been working with before.
Instead, she was selecting new stems. Pink roses and white lisianthus surrounded by soft blush carnations and a few sprigs of eucalyptus.
Maya smiled immediately.
“Flowers for my grandmother?”
Carina didn’t even look up.
“Obviously.”
Maya laughed softly and settled back on the stool, watching her work. Some things never changed.
A few minutes later, Carina tied the bouquet together and wrapped it neatly in brown paper. The finished arrangement was as beautiful, as always. Maya stood and reached for her wallet but before she could even open it, Carina shook her head.
“No.”
Maya blinked.
“No?”
“No.”
Carina slid the bouquet into Maya’s hands.
“They’re for your grandmother.”
“Carina.”
“No.”
“I’m paying.”
“You are not.”
“Carina.”
“Maya.”
They stared at each other, neither willing to budge.
“You spent money on breakfast.”
“Carina.”
“And coffee.”
“Carina.”
“Real coffee.”
That made Maya laugh.
“Exactly.”
Maya tried again, but Carina simply folded her arms. The discussion was clearly over in her mind. Eventually, Maya sighed dramatically.
“This is unfair.”
“Mm.”
“I should pay.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“I want to.”
Carina stepped closer. Close enough that Maya immediately forgot half of what she’d been about to say. Then Carina leaned forward and kissed her cheek. When she pulled back, Maya was fairly certain every thought had completely abandoned her brain.
“You can pay me in other ways.”
Maya’s mouth opened, then closed, then it opened again, but nothing came out. She simply nodded. Carina stared at her for a second then burst out laughing.
“Oh my God.”
Maya’s face immediately turned bright red, which made Carina laugh harder.
“I meant with more coffee and breakfasts.”
Maya covered her face.
“Please stop talking.”
“But.”
Carina’s eyes sparkled mischievously.
“It is very good to know you’d be interested in other things too.”
The blush somehow deepened which Maya hadn’t thought was physically possible. Carina looked entirely too pleased with herself. Unfortunately, Maya’s filter chose that exact moment to disappear completely.
“I’m very much interested.”
The words left her mouth before she could stop them. Maya froze, immediately horrified at the confession that had come out all too easily.
“No, I meant…” She started rambling. “I mean, not that I was assuming, ”
“Maya.”
“I wasn’t trying to, ”
“Maya.”
But she kept going.
“I just meant that if you were interested then maybe I… maybe we…”
“Maya.”
Carina stepped forward and gently took Maya’s hand in hers. The contact immediately stopped the spiral causing Maya to look up, Carina was smiling at her.
“I’m interested too.”
The words were simple, but they landed with enough force to completely steal Maya’s breath.
Carina squeezed her hand gently then lifted her free hand and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Maya’s ear. The gesture felt impossibly intimate and Maya’s heart was beating so hard she was convinced Carina could hear it.
Then, Carina leaned forward again, placing a second kiss on Maya’s cheek. This one was lower than the first, slightly closer to the corner of her mouth, and lingered longer than the first .
When she pulled back, her smile was warm enough to melt steel.
“See you next week, bella.”
Maya blinked.
Carina released her hand and stepped backwards towards the stall. Carina was still smiling, and if Maya was honest, she looked entirely too pleased with herself.
Maya remained exactly where she was, holding flowers tightly, as well as holding her breath and desperately trying to remember how to function.
Because Carina had just admitted she was interested. Carina had kissed her, twice and somehow Maya was expected to just leave and continue with her day as if none of that had happened.
It took several long seconds before she finally managed to turn towards the market exit, carrying flowers, a racing heart, and one very important question.
Who the hell was bella?
-
Week 7
Sunday mornings had become one of Carina’s favourite parts of the week.
The market was already busy, customers drifting between stalls with coffee cups in hand, children tugging their parents towards baked treats, and the familiar scent of fresh flowers surrounding her little corner of the market.
Carina was rearranging a display of dahlias when an older woman approached her stall.
Immediately, Carina smiled.
“Hi,” Carina greeted warmly. “Can I help you?”
The woman smiled back.
“Hi dear. Yes, actually. Do you happen to be Carina?”
The question caught her slightly off guard. Carina hesitated for a moment before nodding.
“I am.”
The woman’s smile widened.
“You’re as beautiful as I imagined you would be.”
Carina felt her cheeks warm immediately.
“That’s very kind of you to say.”
The woman extended her hand across the counter.
“I’m Eleanor, I believe you know my granddaughter, Maya.”
At the mention of Maya’s name, Carina couldn’t stop her smile from growing.
“Oh,” the warmth in her voice was immediate, “yes, I do know Maya.”
A small laugh escaped her.
Eleanor noticed the reaction instantly.
“She comes to visit me every week to buy your flowers.”
“She does,” Eleanor nodded.
A smile settled on Carina’s face just thinking about Maya and how the Sunday visits had become the highlight of her week. Eleanor watched her closely.
“I don’t think the flowers are the only reason she visits anymore.”
Carina nearly dropped the ribbon she was holding, and Eleanor’s smile became distinctly amused.
“But I appreciate them anyway.”
Carina laughed nervously.
“I…”
“And Maya told me the flowers last week were a gift from you,” the older woman softened, “so I wanted to come and thank you in person.”
Carina’s expression immediately gentled.
“You’re very welcome, I’ve heard so much about you.”
“You have?” Eleanor asked, slightly surprised.
“Oh, yes,” Carina smiled, “Maya talks about you all the time.”
Something emotional flickered across Eleanor’s face.
“She does?”
“Every week, so it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
It was at that exact moment that Carina glanced up and froze. Maya stood across the market, completely motionless. She was still a good distance away from them, holding a coffee carrier from Carina’s favourite cafe in one hand, but the look on her face was as though she had just witnessed something impossible.
Carina couldn’t help but smile as she watched Maya’s head tilted slightly to one side.
A silent question.
Am I seeing this correctly?
The expression was so unmistakably Maya that Carina nearly laughed.
Eleanor noticed her distraction and turned to follow her gaze. The second she spotted Maya, her face lit up.
“There she is.”
Before Maya had any chance of escaping, Eleanor lifted a hand and waved her over. Maya looked horrified, and Carina had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing.
Because Maya clearly hadn’t expected this, at all. One moment she’d been imagining a quiet morning with coffee and flowers, and the next she’d arrived to find the two most important women in her life talking to each other without supervision.
Which, judging by the expression on her face, Maya considered a genuine threat. For a brief second, Maya looked as though she might turn around and leave, but Eleanor simply waved again while Carina crossed her arms and smiled. She watched and waited, wanting to see what Maya would do next.
Maya sighed dramatically and the look on her face alone made both women laugh, because she clearly knew she had no choice. Leaving her grandmother alone with Carina was apparently not something she trusted either of them to handle.
Resigned to her fate, Maya finally began to walk towards the stall. Carina’s smile only grew wider as she approached, but judging by the matching smile on Eleanor’s face, Maya was about to have a very long morning.
Before Maya could say a single word, Carina stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her. The hug felt familiar now, something that had developed over recent weeks, and something Maya was happy to continue.
For a moment, she allowed herself to enjoy it. The way Carina always seemed genuinely happy to see her, and after the shock of finding her grandmother standing at the flower stall, it grounded her slightly.
When they finally pulled apart, Maya kept one arm loosely around Carina’s waist, needing the reassurance that this bizarre situation was actually happening.
Only then did she turn her attention back to Eleanor.
“What are you doing here?” Maya asked. The question came out somewhere between confusion and disbelief, but Eleanor looked entirely unbothered.
“Well, good morning to you too, dear.”
Maya blinked, uninterested in pleasantries and more interested in establishing what was actually happening at that moment.
“Well, I wanted to thank Carina for my flowers from last week,” she gestured towards Carina, “so I thought I’d come down and do it in person.”
“I said I would thank her for you.”
“Yes, I know,” Eleanor waved a dismissive hand, “but I don’t need a messenger, dear.”
Carina pressed her lips together, already fighting a smile.
“I am more than capable of thanking her myself.”
Maya simply stared, still trying to determine whether she was somehow dreaming, because surely there was no universe where her grandmother had shown up at the market unannounced and introduced herself to the woman Maya had spent the last six weeks hopelessly thinking about.
Yet here they were, and judging by the expressions on both their faces, they were getting along wonderfully.
“Plus,” Eleanor continued casually, “you’ve gone on and on and on about her for the past God knows how many weeks.”
Maya immediately groaned.
“Oh no.”
“I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.”
Maya covered her face with her free hand. But beside her, Carina was openly smiling now at the little nugget of information.
“Grandma,” Maya repeated warningly, but Eleanor continued to ignore her completely.
Instead, she stepped forward and reached for Carina’s hand. Carina looked delighted by the attention, and turned her gaze to Eleanor when she squeezed her hand.
“Tell me everything.”
“Grandma.”
“I want to know all about you and this granddaughter of mine.”
Maya made a noise somewhere between a groan and a prayer, which made Carina laughed. That genuine, bright laugh that always drew Maya’s attention.
“Oh, I have many stories.”
“Carina,” Maya’s head whipped to look at her, how could Carina betray her too?
Carina looked at her innocently, as if she knew exactly what Maya was thinking and she planned to do it anyway. But it made Eleanor smile.
“Perfect.”
Maya looked between them, then realised with absolute certainty that she was losing control of this conversation.
As it turned out, Maya didn’t actually need to participate in the conversation. The moment Eleanor and Carina started talking, they seemed to fall into an easy rhythm, bouncing from topic to topic, as though they’d known each other for years rather than minutes.
Maya found herself drifting slightly, not because she wasn’t interested. Quite the opposite had been true. She was simply still trying to process how she’d somehow ended up in this situation. One minute she’d been excited to spend the morning alone with Carina. The next, her grandmother had appeared out of nowhere and inserted herself directly into Maya’s love life, if it could be called that.
The universe clearly had a sense of humour.
Luckily for Carina and Eleanor, and somewhat unfortunately for Maya, the stall had quietened down considerably.
The rush of customers had disappeared, leaving only the occasional browser wandering through the market. Carina looked around before smiling at Eleanor.
“Please, sit.”
She gestured towards the stool beside the register. Maya’s stool, the one that had become her designated Sunday morning seat.
Eleanor accepted immediately.
“Thank you, dear.”
Before Maya could protest, her grandmother was comfortably seated in what she considered her spot. Carina remained standing beside her, smiling.
“So tell me,” Eleanor began, “how exactly did this all start?”
“Honestly?” Maya asked, immediately regretted staying.
“Please.”
Carina glanced up at Maya.
“When she first came here, I thought she was buying flowers for a girlfriend.”
Maya’s head snapped around.
“You did?”
Carina looked amused by her surprise.
“Yes.”
“You never told me that.”
“You never asked.”
Maya stared at her.
“The first week you looked completely lost.”
“I was completely lost.”
“I know.”
The smile softened.
“I asked if it was your first time.”
Understanding immediately dawned on Maya.
“Oh.”
Carina nodded.
“I meant the first date.”
Maya couldn’t help laughing.
“And I thought you meant the first time buying flowers.”
“Exactly.”
Eleanor was already smiling.
“And when she said yes, I assumed she was buying flowers for someone special.”
Carina shrugged.
“I thought maybe she was nervous.”
Maya felt something warm settle in her chest. The thought of Carina assuming she was buying flowers for a girlfriend shouldn’t have affected her as much as it did.
“What happened then?” Eleanor asked.
Carina looked at Maya.
“The next week she came back and told me they were for her grandmother.”
A small laugh escaped her.
“And honestly?”
“What?”
Carina smiled.
“I was relieved.”
Maya blinked.
“You were?”
Carina nodded.
“Very.”
Maya’s smile softened immediately. Without thinking, she squeezed Carina slightly closer in the side hug they’d somehow remained standing in for most of the conversation.
“No girlfriend,” Maya promised.
Carina’s smile widened.
“No?”
Maya shook her head then leaned in slightly. Close enough that only Carina could hear her.
“Only a very pretty flower stall owner.”
Carina froze, for a moment she simply stared at Maya, then a blush spread rapidly across her cheeks. She ducked her head immediately, attempting, and failing, to hide it.
Eleanor saw everything, absolutely everything, and she looked completely delighted. Unlike Carina, however, Eleanor seemed entirely unfazed by the topic. She’d never particularly cared who Maya dated, only that she found someone who made her happy.
“It must be nice,” Carina said quietly after a moment, “not worrying about showing affection for someone of the same sex in front of family.”
The comment was casual, but there was something deeper beneath it. Carina had mentioned before that things weren’t always accepted where she’d grown up. Eleanor’s expression softened.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
The affection in her voice was immediate. Maya squeezed Carina’s shoulder gently.
“My grandmother isn’t bothered.”
“Bothered?” Eleanor laughed.
“I’d be happy if Maya dated anyone.”
Maya groaned.
“Grandma.”
“It’s true.”
Then Eleanor added casually, “Honestly, I’m just glad as a lesbian she can’t accidentally get pregnant.”
“GRANDMA.”
The word came out significantly louder than Maya intended. Several nearby shoppers turned to look. And, it was at that comment that Carina completely lost it. Every attempt she’d made to remain composed throughout the morning vanished instantly. She laughed out loud, head thrown back, and body shaking.
Maya wanted the ground to swallow her whole, but seeing Carina laugh like that was worth the embarrassment.
Eventually, Carina managed to catch her breath, wiping away the tears that had gathered in the corners of her eyes.
“Oh my God.”
“Bisexual,” Maya corrected loudly.
Carina laughed again.
“What?”
“I’m bisexual.”
Eleanor waved a dismissive hand.
“Bisexual, lesbian, queer, whichever label you prefer.”
“Grandma.”
“The point remains,” Eleanor continued regardless, “you date women.”
“Yes.”
“So, no risk of pregnancy.”
“Please, stop talking.”
“But I have much bigger concerns.”
Carina was visibly struggling not to laugh again as Eleanor pointed at Maya.
“She works ridiculous hours, she spends her free time either at the gym or running. Oh, and the things she eats.”
Maya groaned.
“Oh no.”
Eleanor looked horrified.
“Now I enjoy vegetables as much as anyone.”
Carina was already smiling.
“But some of those green smoothies she turns up with, leave a lot to be desired.”
Carina dissolved into laughter again, the smile completely overtaking her face. What struck her most wasn’t the teasing, but how much Eleanor clearly knew Maya. Every habit, every routine, and each little quirk.
Yet the thing her grandmother seemed least interested in discussing was Maya’s sexuality. Instead, she cared about whether Maya was eating enough and working too much, and there was something incredibly lovely about that.
“Should I just leave you two to it?” Maya asked.
And for perhaps the first time all morning, she sounded almost serious.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Eleanor laughed.
Carina nodded immediately.
“Stay.”
But then Eleanor paused.
“Although…”
Maya narrowed her eyes.
“Grandma.”
“If you’re offering, a bite to eat would be lovely.”
Carina immediately groaned in agreement.
“Oh, yes.”
Both women looked at Maya expectantly, and Maya stared back, waiting for one of them to laugh, to break and say they were joking. Neither of them did, they were completely serious.
She looked between them, from her grandmother to Carina and back again.
“Right,” Maya pointed at them both, “this is a terrible idea.”
Neither looked remotely guilty, although that didn’t settle the feeling of dread building in her stomach.
“I’ll be right back.”
She started walking backwards, still watching them, still deeply suspicious.
“Don’t start a club while I’m gone.”
Eleanor looked offended.
“We would never.”
But Carina’s smile suggested otherwise. Maya narrowed her eyes one final time before turning the corner. The second she disappeared from view, Eleanor and Carina exchanged a look, and both started laughing.
That feeling of dread returned the moment Maya rounded the corner and spotted them. She stopped walking immediately because somehow the situation had gotten worse.
Carina stood beside Eleanor, leaning slightly over her shoulder as they both looked at something in her grandmother’s hands.
Something that made Maya’s stomach drop.
“Oh no.”
Despite carrying the bag containing the pain au chocolat she knew was Carina’s favourite, Maya quickened her pace.
The closer she got, the more she could make out, and she suddenly realised that the photograph in Eleanor’s hand wasn’t just any photograph, but possibly the worst photograph of her to ever exist.
“I think this is the last time I ever saw her in a dress,” Eleanor was saying. “Her parents insisted she wear it because they wanted a nice kindergarten photograph, but instead, they ended up with this.”
Carina looked down at the picture again, a smile immediately spreading across her face.
Maya finally reached them, she snatched the photograph from Eleanor’s hands without hesitation.
Both women looked entirely unfazed,
“Oh my God.”
She held the picture against her chest protectively.
“Please tell me you don’t have any more of those.”
“I do not have any more copies of that photograph.”
Maya relaxed slightly then realised what Eleanor had actually said. Her eyes narrowed.
“No.”
Eleanor smiled.
“No?”
“I don’t mean copies.”
Understanding immediately crossed Eleanor’s face.
“Oh.”
“Please tell me you don’t have any more photos.”
The silence that followed was answer enough.
“I may or may not.”
“Grandma.”
Carina was visibly struggling to contain her laughter which wasn’t helping the situation at all.
“Do you not want your future wife to see how cute the babies you would make can be?”
The entire market seemed to stop. Both Maya and Carina stared at Eleanor, who looked perfectly pleased with herself.
“Oh my God.”
Maya covered her face.
“We aren’t even dating.”
“Yet.”
“Grandma.”
Eleanor shrugged.
“Well, hurry up.”
Maya made a strangled noise.
“Before someone else dates her.”
Carina promptly looked down at the ground, mostly because she was smiling far too much. And because the thought didn’t sound entirely terrible. Maya looked ready to launch herself into the nearest flower bucket.
Thankfully, fate chose that exact moment to intervene because a customer approached the stall.
“Excuse me?”
Carina immediately looked up and the customer smiled apologetically.
“I was hoping to buy a bouquet.”
“Of course.”
She stepped away from Eleanor and Maya, moving toward the flowers. But before she left completely, she reached for Maya’s hand. Her fingers squeezed Maya’s gently. It was subtle enough that no one needed to know, subtle enough that Eleanor saw but pretended she hadn’t. The kind that said everything she didn’t quite know how to put into words, but Maya knew at that moment it was okay, she didn’t need to worry.
She smiled as if her grandmother hadn’t just suggested marriage and babies six weeks into them knowing one another.
Maya watched her go then slowly turned back toward Eleanor. Her grandmother looked entirely too pleased with herself.
“I like her.”
Maya groaned.
“I know.”
“And she likes you.”
“Grandma.”
“I’m just saying.”
Carina returned only a few minutes later, bouquet wrapped and the customer happily on their way.
As soon as she stepped back beside Maya, she reclaimed her place without hesitation, shoulder brushing Maya’s as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Then her eyes landed on the paper bag Maya was still holding.
Immediately, she reached for it.
“My pain au chocolat.”
Maya laughed.
“Your pain au chocolat.”
Carina pulled it free from the bag and took a bite before she’d even fully unwrapped it. The satisfied noise she made was adorable.
“Thank you,” she whispered around the pastry.
Maya smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
Eleanor watched the interaction with entirely too much interest. Then, before Maya could prepare herself, her grandmother struck again.
“Would you like to join us for lunch, Carina?”
Maya nearly choked.
“What?”
Carina looked equally surprised.
“Oh.”
A smile appeared on her face.
“I would have loved to,” the disappointment in her voice was genuine, “but Maya told me you eat at midday.”
Eleanor nodded.
“We do.”
“The market doesn’t close until eleven thirty.”
Carina gestured towards the surrounding stalls.
“I’d never be packed away in time.”
“Oh.”
Eleanor looked thoughtful, then casually shrugged.
“We can move it.”
Maya blinked.
“You can do what now?”
“We can move lunch later.”
Maya stared at her grandmother, for several long seconds then pointed at her accusingly.
“Wait.”
Eleanor looked innocent.
“You can move it later so Carina can come?”
“Of course.”
Maya looked horrified.
“We couldn’t move it later when I broke my arm and spent half the day in hospital.”
Eleanor waved a dismissive hand.
“That was different.”
“Okay, why couldn’t we move it later when I had track meets?”
“Also different.”
“I had to eat a reheated lunch at four o’clock, for years I’ve had to come hell or high water.”
Eleanor nodded.
“Correct.”
“And suddenly Carina shows up and now you’re flexible?”
Carina was openly laughing and Maya wasn’t even mad. Just genuinely confused.
Eleanor turned towards her again.
“Do you work on Sundays, Maya?”
Carina bit the inside of her cheek.
“No.”
“Then you had no reason for me to bend the schedule.”
“Grandma!”
Eleanor ignored her completely. Turning back to Carina, she smiled.
“So.”
Carina immediately understood.
“One o’clock? Would that work, my dear?”
Carina looked at Maya. Maya simply laughed and lifted both hands. Clearly she had absolutely no control over this situation anymore.
“One o’clock would be perfect.”
The smile she gave Eleanor was genuine.
“Thank you, Eleanor.”
Eleanor waved her off.
“None of that.”
Carina blinked.
“Sorry?”
“Call me Grandma.”
“GRANDMA.” Maya’s protest came instantly.
Both women ignored her.
“What?” Eleanor asked innocently.
Carina was struggling not to laugh.
“She’ll be my granddaughter-in-law before I know it.”
“Oh my God.”
“So why start with Eleanor only to change to Grandma later?”
For a moment, there was silence then both Maya and Carina looked at each other and laughed. Because honestly? As ridiculous as it sounded… Eleanor seemed very convinced, and neither of them could quite find a reason to argue.
Carina eventually shook her head, still smiling.
“Well.”
She looked towards Eleanor.
“I appreciate it anyway,” her eyes softened, “and I would love to join you both for lunch.”
“Wonderful.”
Eleanor clapped her hands together.
“That’s settled. Maya will drive me home so I can start cooking. And she’ll come back for you when the market closes.”
Maya blinked.
“I will?”
“Yes, you will.”
The answer came immediately. Apparently this plan had already been finalised without her input.
Maya looked towards Carina who looked thoroughly amused.
“I guess I’ll pick you up at…”
She waited, unsure what time Carina would need picking up.
“Twelve thirty would be great, bella.”
“I’ll pick you up at twelve thirty then.”
“Perfect.”
Before Maya could say anything else, Carina stepped closer and wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tightly. Maya immediately hugged her back.
Carina pulled back just enough to place a kiss against Maya’s cheek. Maya’s heart still reacted like it was the first time. Without thinking, she leaned forward and returned the gesture.
The smile that appeared on Carina’s face afterwards was worth every second of embarrassment.
As Eleanor conveniently found something else to look at, Maya leaned closer.
“What does bella mean?” Her voice dropped to a whisper.
She reached up and brushed her thumb lightly across Maya’s cheek.
“It means beautiful,” Carina smiled. “It means… I think you’re beautiful, Maya.”
For perhaps the first time all morning, Maya found herself completely speechless.
-
Week 8
The market was beginning to wind down by the time Maya returned.
Most of the morning crowd had disappeared, leaving behind only a handful of shoppers wandering between the remaining stalls. Vendors were already starting to pack away their displays, folding tables and stacking empty crates ready for another week.
Maya had been here earlier that morning, just as she had every Sunday for the past several weeks. But this visit felt different, because this time she wasn’t here for flowers. Well at least, not only for the flowers. This time she was here for Carina.
Across the market, Carina was packing away buckets of flowers when she looked up. The moment their eyes met, everything else seemed to disappear. A smile immediately spread across Carina’s face, not the polite smile she gave customers, but a real one, the one Maya was growing used to seeing, and Maya couldn’t help but smile back.
Carina abandoned whatever she’d been doing without a second thought. The bucket she was carrying was set down immediately as she rounded the stall and began walking towards her. By the time Maya reached her, Carina already had her arms open.
“Ciao, bella,” Carina said warmly before pressing a kiss to Maya’s cheek.
Then, as though one hug wasn’t enough, she pulled her back in for another.
“Hi,” Maya laughed softly.
She realised she was still holding onto Carina. Not that either of them seemed particularly interested in letting go.
“Did you miss me already?” Carina tilted her head slightly. The teasing smile returned immediately. “It’s only been two hours.”
“Maybe,” Maya laughed.
“Maybe?”
“Okay, yes.”
“I knew it.,” Carina grinned triumphantly.
Maya rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop smiling. The truth was she had missed her, which felt ridiculous considering she’d seen her a few hours earlier. But apparently seeing Carina once a week was no longer enough.
“So, what brings you back?”
Maya took a breath. This was it, the reason she’d spent most of the morning talking herself into returning.
“I was actually hoping you might be free.”
Carina blinked.
“Free?”
Maya nodded.
“For a date.”
The words came out before she could second guess them. Then panic immediately followed.
“With me.”
Carina stared at her for a moment then laughed. A laugh that immediately eased some of Maya’s nerves.
“I assumed the date would be with you.”
“Right,” Maya groaned.
“Although now I’m curious who else might be asking me out today.”
“Nobody.”
Carina looked pleased by that answer. She folded her arms and leaned lightly against the side of the stall.
“What about your grandmother?”
Maya immediately laughed, because of course Eleanor had become part of this conversation somehow.
“What about her?”
“Sunday lunch.”
“Oh.”
Maya rubbed the back of her neck.
“Grandma actually had something to say about that.”
Carina raised an eyebrow.
“And?”
Maya suddenly became very interested in the ground.
“She told me I wasn’t allowed to show up next Sunday without…”
Her voice faded but Carina waited, however Maya remained silent.
“Without what?”
Maya looked everywhere except at her and muttered something completely unintelligible.
“One more time.”
Carina stepped closer and Maya took a deep breath, then forced herself to say it properly.
“She told me not to come back to Sunday lunch until you’re my girlfriend.”
The words came out in a rush, by the time Maya finished speaking, she was staring firmly at the ground again.
For one horrifying second, Maya wondered if she’d completely ruined everything. But when Maya finally looked up, Carina was smiling.
“She has very high expectations for this date.”
“That’s exactly what I said,” Maya laughed.
Carina stepped a little closer. Close enough that Maya could see the amusement in her eyes.
“Well,” She shrugged casually, “I suppose starting with a date might get us moving in that direction.”
Maya’s head snapped up immediately. Her eyes widened as if she wasn’t sure she heard correctly.
“Is that a yes?”
“A yes to what?” Carina laughed.
“The date,” Maya looked almost afraid to believe it, “you’ll go on a date with me?”
The expression on her face made something warm settle inside Carina’s chest.
“Yes, Maya.”
Maya practically lit up.
“Really?”
Carina shook her head affectionately.
“I have only been waiting about a month for you to ask.”
“Then why didn’t you ask me?”
The question seemed entirely reasonable to Maya. Carina opened her mouth but then closed it again. Because honestly? She didn’t have a good answer.
After a moment she simply shrugged.
“I don’t know.”
It sounded ridiculous when she said it out loud.
“I just…” she smiled softly, “I wanted you to be ready.”
Maya stared at her because the answer somehow made her like Carina even more.
Carina finally squeezed her hand.
“But yes, bella,” her voice softened, “I would love to go on a date with you.”
Maya smiled so widely her cheeks hurt.
“Today?”
Carina didn’t hesitate, she nodded immediately.
“Today.”
The smile never quite left Maya’s face after Carina agreed. It felt kind of ridiculous, they hadn’t even gone on the date yet and she already felt happier. As though simply hearing Carina say yes had made the entire week worth it.
Carina seemed equally amused by her reaction.
“You know,” she said as she turned back toward the stall, “I still have to finish packing all of this away.”
Maya immediately stepped forward.
“I’ll help.”
Carina laughed.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
“I can manage.”
“I know.”
Carina narrowed her eyes.
“Maya.”
Maya simply smiled and reached for a crate.
“I’m helping.”
The determination in her voice made Carina laugh again. The truth wasn’t lost on either of them. Maya wasn’t helping because Carina needed it, she was helping because she wanted the date to start sooner. And if that meant carrying buckets of flowers and folding tables, then Maya was more than happy to do it.
Together they worked their way through the stall. Maya carried buckets to the van while Carina emptied water and stacked containers.
She folded tables, carried crates and packed away boxes of wrapping paper and ribbon.
Every now and then their hands brushed, or Carina would smile at her from across the stall, or Maya would catch herself staring. Neither of them seemed particularly interested in pretending otherwise anymore.
By the time the final bucket was loaded into the van, the market around them had almost completely emptied. Carina closed the van doors and brushed her hands together.
“There.”
Maya smiled.
“There.”
Carina suddenly glanced down at herself, then frowned.
“Oh.”
Maya immediately looked concerned.
“What?”
Carina gestured toward her dress, the yellow floral dress she’d been wearing all day.
“I’m still in my work clothes, do I have time to go home and change?”
The question caught Maya completely off guard because that was one thing she hadn’t considered at all. Her entire plan had focused on planning the date and asking Carina out and Carina actually saying yes. Everything after that had been surprisingly underdeveloped.
“Umm…”
Maya rubbed the back of her neck.
“Not really?”
The answer came out more like a question.
Carina’s laughter only grew, but Maya immediately felt guilty.
“But if you’re not comfortable, we can reschedule.”
Maya’s offer was sincere, she didn’t care that she’d spent all week planning the date, if Carina wasn’t comfortable, she’d spend another week planning a different date.
“If you want to go home and change, I can cancel this one and we can do it another day.”
Carina’s expression softened immediately.
“No.”
“No?”
Carina shook her head.
“I’m okay.”
Then she smiled.
“It’s just…” her eyes drifted down to her dress again, “you look beautiful.”
Maya’s heart immediately skipped.
“And I’ve just done six hours of work.”
Without hesitation Maya stepped closer.
“You look incredible.”
Carina blinked.
“What?”
“You look incredible.”
Maya wasn’t even remotely embarrassed by the compliment, because it was true.
The yellow floral dress suited her perfectly. Her dark hair was slightly messy from working all morning, there were a few loose strands framing her face. But somehow she was still the most beautiful woman Maya had ever seen.
“You do,” Maya continued softly, “really.”
Carina’s cheeks immediately flushed pink.
“I’m not just saying that.”
The sincerity in Maya’s voice made it impossible to dismiss. Carina looked away briefly, smiling to herself, then finally looked back.
“Thank you.”
Maya felt absurdly pleased with herself.
“You’re welcome.”
Carina shook her head affectionately, then reached for her bag.
“Okay.”
She took a breath.
“Let’s go see what you’ve planned.”
Maya smiled, the excitement immediately returned.
Then, before she could second guess herself, she held out her hand. Carina looked down at it, then back up at Maya. A smile spread across her face and without hesitation she slipped her hand into Maya’s, squeezing her fingers gently.
“Lead the way, bella.”
Together they started walking across the market, toward the lunch area Carina had casually recommended weeks earlier.
The table Maya had reserved sat tucked away in a quieter corner of the market, away from most of the remaining crowd. In the centre stood a large vase overflowing with bright yellow sunflowers, the same flowers Maya had quietly remembered weeks ago when she had asked if Carina had a favourite.
But it wasn’t just the sunflowers.
The entire table had been transformed.
Wooden boards were filled with food collected from all around the market. Fresh breads still warm from the bakery sat beside slices of cheese and bowls of pickles. There were strawberries, grapes and other fruits arranged neatly around the board. Flaky pastries from the bakery stall sat alongside brownies and cookies from the dessert vendor. Every recommendation Carina had made over the previous weeks seemed to have found its way onto the table.
It wasn’t simply lunch, it was every little thing Carina had ever mentioned liking.
“Oh my God,” Carina whispered.
Her eyes continued moving across the table until they landed on a small card resting beside the vase of sunflowers.
Carefully, she picked it up and opened it.
Inside, Maya had written:
To the most perfect first date with the most perfect girl.
“Maya…”
Her voice was barely audible. When she looked up, Maya suddenly looked nervous.
“Is this okay?” Maya asked quietly.
Carina couldn’t believe she was even asking.
Okay? It was more than okay.
Maya had remembered every conversation they’d had. She had planned an entire date around Carina’s favourite things and was now standing there worried it wasn’t enough.
“It’s perfect,” Carina said honestly, then she stepped closer and smiled, “you’re perfect.”
The blush that appeared on Maya’s cheeks was worth every second. Without another word, Carina wrapped her arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. Maya hugged her back instantly, holding her just as tightly.
Eventually, they pulled apart, both smiling.
Maya immediately reached for a chair and pulled it out for her.
“After you.”
“You are ridiculous,” Carina laughed, yet she sat down anyway, unable to stop herself from blushing.
Maya took the seat beside her rather than across from her, close enough that their shoulders touched. Then she gestured towards the food spread out before them.
“You pick first.”
Carina looked around the table once more, still struggling to believe Maya had organised all of this.
“You really did this?”
Maya nodded.
“You told me about this place weeks ago. The week I was talking about Grandma not leaving the house.”
Understanding immediately crossed Carina’s face.
“The market lunches.”
Maya smiled.
“Ever since then, I’ve wanted to bring you here.”
The afternoon passed far too quickly after that.
The conversation flowed as naturally as it always did between them. They laughed about the day they met and how Carina had assumed Maya was buying flowers for a girlfriend. How Maya had nearly choked when Carina admitted she’d thought the flowers were for a first date.
“I genuinely thought you meant first time buying flowers,” Maya laughed.
“In my defence,” Carina replied, “that’s also adorable.”
The conversation eventually moved on to Eleanor, which inevitably led to more stories about Maya’s childhood.
“You looked horrified when you arrived and saw your grandmother talking to me,” Carina teased.
“I was horrified.”
“You looked like you were witnessing a crime.”
“I practically was.”
Carina laughed so hard she nearly spilled her drink.
Then came the kindergarten dress story again.
“No,” Maya groaned immediately.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“The dress.”
Maya covered her face with both hands while Carina laughed.
“Your grandmother said she realised dresses weren’t for you when you’d rather be a miniature nudist than wear one.”
Carina barely managed to finish the sentence before laughing again. Maya wanted to be embarrassed, but she couldn’t quite manage it anymore, not with Carina.
Carina had spent the entire afternoon telling her how adorable she’d been as a child and had promised to bring her own baby photos next time.
Eventually, Maya looked around and realised they were completely alone. The market had emptied around them, leaving only a few workers lingering nearby waiting to finish packing everything away.
“I think we’re holding everyone hostage,” Maya said.
Carina followed her gaze and immediately laughed.
“Maybe a little.”
Neither of them seemed particularly interested in ending the date.
Finally, Maya turned towards her.
“Can I take you on another date?”
Carina smiled immediately.
“Right now?”
Maya laughed.
“I mean… I don’t exactly have anything planned.”
“That’s disappointing.”
Maya nudged her shoulder.
“But maybe we could go for a walk? Or out for a drink?”
Carina squeezed her hand.
“That sounds perfect.”
Together they stood, and almost instinctively their hands found each other. As they began walking away from the table, Carina stopped.
“Maya?”
Maya turned towards her.
“Hm?”
Carina’s expression softened.
“You have to promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“Always come and see me on Sunday mornings.”
Maya didn’t even need to think about her answer.
Stepping closer, she gently cupped Carina’s face in both hands, brushing a few loose strands of hair behind her ears.
“I promise,” she said softly, her eyes never leaving Carina’s, “to spend every Sunday morning exactly where you are.”
For a moment, neither of them moved, the sounds of the market faded away until it felt like they were the only two people left in the world.
Carina’s eyes drifted downward to Maya’s lips first. Maya noticed and allowed her own gaze to follow. Neither of them looked away, neither of them wanted to.
Carina smiled first, a tiny, hopeful smile that belonged only to Maya. Slowly, Maya leaned forward and Carina met her halfway.
Their first kiss was soft and gentle, everything they had been building towards since that first Sunday morning at the flower stall.
It tasted like coffee and laughter and every Sunday they had spent together. Like sunflowers and breakfast baskets and stolen moments between customers.
When they finally pulled apart, neither moved very far. Their foreheads rested together, hands still intertwined between them.
Because after eight weeks of flowers, coffee, breakfast, Sunday mornings, and one very determined grandmother, they were finally exactly where they wanted to be.