Zara Fox's POV
When I saw him appear with that enormous bouquet of roses, so absurdly attractive, my smile was inevitable. But my nose was already starting to betray me. I knew I was allergic to pollen. I should have refused them. I should have said something. Instead, I chose to pretend, to grit my teeth and accept his flowers with pleasure.
The body, however, doesn't understand white lies.
The allergy erupted with fury. Sneezing, burning eyes, skin that began to swell. I tried to downplay it—a hospital wasn't necessary—but one look at Julian Mackenzie was enough to unleash panic.
Seeing the terror in his eyes transported me back to the day I met him. That same fear. That same vulnerability. And something inside me broke… only to heal a little more.
"Are you okay?" he asked, mov
