Bella shifted in discomfort and released an awkward giggle she could no longer hold in. If only the true object of her affections could be so attentive to her attention; perhaps she'd been giving it to the wrong person the whole time!

"Oh no, Mr. Langley," she sighed with a firm shake of her head and an embarrassed smile. "Perhaps I led you the wrong way. I think of you as a mentor and do like you, but not in that way. The cards were meant to signify my thoughtfulness, not affection, and the plant — well, I love plants and thought you might like one, too!" she insisted. Besides, she'd already hinted that she'd guessed where his affections lied!