Page 26 of Hunt for the Roses
I’m now the one scrunching my face. “Really? No way, Trix are superior. Doughnuts or cake?”
“No contest. Doughnuts.”
“I fully support that.” Then I decide to throw caution to the wind and have some fun. “Wait, is that Charlie Hunnam?” I whisper-shout as I lean forward and point aimlessly toward the ground.
“What?! Where?!” Aria shouts as she finally looks down. We’re not as high up as we were, but still high enough for her not to find my joke as funny as I do. Aria tucks her lips in as she turns to me and darts daggers at me with her eyes.
I shrug with a smirk. “I had to take the opening, sorry.”
She eyes me carefully, but seems to be getting more comfortable exploring her surroundings. “I would take my hand away, but you’re my lifeline right now,” she jokes.
I squeeze her hand once as I look into her eyes. “I can learn to live with that,” I say as I draw a small smile on my lips.
Holding my gaze, Aria’s lips tip up at the corner in an appreciative expression. I’m assuring her she’s going to be taken care of around here, and I can tell she finds my gesture and comment sweet.
I’m still smiling as I look off to the side, and it’s another couple minutes until we are safely on the ground. Afterwards, the four of us all grab another beer, and walk around the festival for another hour. For the first time in a really long time, I witnessed Aria smile. Not because she had to save face, and not because she felt forced to. She smiled because she felthappy, even if it was just for a moment.
Thursday, June 16, 2022
“I’m so glad you had a lot of fun with your friends,” my mom says over the phone.
“Yeah, it was definitely a long time coming.”
“How is everyone doing?” she asks.
“They’re all doing well. Dane is still at the architecture firm, and Kate and Trent are still flirting as usual. The normal stuff, you know,” I say with a laugh.
“Aw, I’d love to see those two together. Are you guys hanging out again soon?”
“I’m sure we’ll make concrete plans in the near future, don’t worry. How’s Dad and Ronnie?” I ask.
“Dad’s restaurant is almost ready for the Grand Opening. We’re only a couple months out now,” my mom says.
“Wow, I can’t believe how fast time flew. How’s Dad feeling?”
“Excited and stressed. The business of working with contractors is not always the smoothest sail, but the project is at the finish line, so he’s at least grateful for that.”
“Well, when you guys are ready to decorate and get the place ready for opening night, let me know because I want to help,” I offer.
“Of course. Listen, your father is calling me on the other line so I need to go, but we’ll talk soon?”
“Yes, definitely. Love you,” I say.
“Love you so much. I’ll talk to you later,” my mom replies before we both hang up.
It’s Thursday evening, and I’m making dinner in my loungewear. My hair is tousled down, and I’m wearing a light pink crewneck sweatshirt with black spandex biker shorts. I’m pan-frying cubed chicken breast and vegetables in teriyaki sauce when I hear my phone ping from the kitchen counter. When I look over at the screen of my iPhone, I see a text message from Dane.
Dane: Hey, what’re you up to?
I turn my attention back to sauté the chicken and vegetables for another few seconds and then place the wooden spoon on the spoon rest to reply to Dane.
Me: Making chicken and veggies for dinner.
Dane: Sounds wild.
Me: Always living my best life. ??
Dane: I’m scrolling through Netflix. In case you cared.
