Jake’s POV

Poppy stares at the shelf, her face pale. “What the hell was that?”

Leo is at her side in two strides, one hand pressed to her waist, the other catching her wrist when she sways. “Talk to me.”

Her eyes stay fixed on the plants. One standing taller than it had any right to. The other half-collapsed beside it.

“I didn’t do that on purpose.”

I believe her.

I step closer to the shelf, crouching just enough to inspect them without touching. The healthier plant is ...