Chapter 9
Astrid/Aeron
We settled down at a table, and I opened the Trello checklist on my phone. “I’ll start with what we’ve got covered. Venue? Booked. Catering? Handled. Guest list? Finalized. Dress? Safe in your closet. Florist? Sorted.”
“Actually…” Amy shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “There might be a tiny florist issue.”
“Didn’t you say the florist was handled?” Kelly asked.
“That's what I thought too.” Amy dragged a hand slowly down her face.
The look she gave me said my planner was seconds away from another angry red dot.
“Turns out, the last planner reached out but never actually booked anything. Apparently, you have to pay some money to book which she forgot.” Amy admitted sheepishly.
“What kind of scammer did you hire?” Kelly laughed wryly, shaking her head.
“Is there another florist around here I could reach out to?” I asked.
Amy slumped back in her chair. “Everyone’s booked solid. Between destination weddings and other events, florists here barely have room to breathe. One said she could maybe squeeze us in, but made it clear we’re not exactly her top priority.”
Sure, I could handle the florals myself, but I’d already be juggling a hundred other tasks, so…hard pass. I glanced hopefully at Kelly. “Kel, if I get you the flowers, could you handle the arrangements?”
“Me?” She blinked, eyes widening. “Azzie, I know you love me, but unless you want bouquets that look like a five-year-old put it together, I’d rethink that plan.”
“You’ve always been amazing at crafts,” I pointed out. “Remember those Halloween decorations you made? Everyone thought we hired a professional.”
“That was glitter glue and paper,” she argued. “This is a wedding.”
“Exactly. If anyone can turn chaos into something Pinterest-worthy, it's you.” I fixed her with a don't-even-try-to-argue look. I turned to Amy. “Can we pull in some extra hands to back her up?”
“Absolutely.” Amy’s eyes lit up. “I have friends who can help.”
“Perfect.” Crisis averted. No new red dot for my planner.
Aunt Dee came over, setting our coffees down. “Hope everything’s going well,” she asked sweetly, though the mischievous sparkle in her eyes screamed gossip-hunting rather than genuine concern. Her staff handled every other table, but she’d made sure to deliver our order herself.
“Pretty great.” I took a sip and paused, stunned. It was the kind of coffee that made you reconsider every mediocre cup you'd ever convinced yourself was decent. No wonder this place was packed.
“Glad to hear that.” She grinned. “Also, if you need decorations, Carlos Rentals has everything. Chairs, linens, centerpieces, even those big fancy arches people love. Lou, Carlos’s wife, is my best friend. Tell him I sent you, and he'll give you a fair price.”
Lou was one of her minions, wasn’t she? It all made sense now. Of course they sent business each other’s way.
Amy assured her the venue was all sorted. Aunt Dee nodded and stepped away, but I didn’t miss the sour look on her face as if she’d bitten into a lemon. Clearly, the idea of everything running smoothly left a bitter taste in her mouth.
Once our planning wrapped up, we headed out to the venue. Cleanup from the previous wedding was still underway, but even half tidied up, the place was beautiful. Vineyards sprawled in every direction. It was no wonder Orange Falls topped lists for destination weddings.
I opened my checklist, moving through the venue and reviewing tables, seating charts, and perfect photo spots. Everything seemed reassuringly in place. For now, at least, there were no disaster.
Aeron
I watched a certain bun-head move restlessly around the wedding venue, flitting from one spot to another.
Too far to hear her, but close enough to clearly catch every expressive gesture—the dramatic waves of her hands, the exaggerated sighs.
Last night's colorful curses replayed vividly in my mind, tugging my mouth into a reluctant smile.
“She’s Isaac’s new wedding planner,” Ayden’s voice came from behind me, amusement obvious. I wasn't sure if he was calling me out for staring too long or just generously offering information. “She’s here to manage the last-minute wedding mess.”
“Only the wedding?” The question slipped out before I could bite it back.
“What else would a wedding planner be here for? Searching for a long-lost love?”
His words were casual, just a throwaway joke, but they landed exactly where I wanted—somewhere between a wish and an old ache. Glancing at the time, I saw it was already three o'clock. “I should go.”
“Where?”
“A date with the past.” I stole one last look at the bun-head, then turned away, walking off before Ayden could question me further.
Astrid
Amy and Isaac left, and Kelly and I climbed into the car to head home. My eyes caught the dashboard clock: 3:30. Without warning, a memory slipped to the front of my mind.
A ride on the Orange Falls Express.
“Kel.” I turned to her. “Does the train still run at the same time?”
“You could come back in a hundred years, and that train would still be running on the exact same schedule, probably using the same faded timetable from the 1900s.” Kelly snorted.
“Then we still have time to catch the last ride,” I said eagerly. “Come on, let’s go.” If the universe brought me back to Orange Falls exactly five years later, then taking the train again felt like a sign I shouldn’t ignore.
“Honestly, if I have to see that train one more time, my eyeballs might fall out,” Kelly groaned, even as she turned the car toward the station. “But fine, since it’s your absolute favorite thing in Orange Falls, I’ll suffer through it.”
“What else are best friends for?” I grinned.
Halfway there, her assistant called, sounding frantic about a client causing a scene, and said he couldn't manage alone. Guilt twisted in my stomach. Kelly had already spent two whole days putting my needs above her business.
“We can take the train another day,” I said. “Let’s head back.”
Kelly waved my words away like a pesky fly. “Relax, Azzie. He panics if someone breathes too loudly near a plant.”
Her phone rang again.
“I don’t think it’s just someone breathing loudly this time,” I pointed out.
She sighed. “Okay, new plan. I’ll drop you off, sort out whatever disaster that was, and rush back. You grab our tickets in the meantime.”
“Perfect.”
Kelly dropped me off at the station and sped away, waving until she disappeared around the corner. I stayed rooted to the spot, eyes moving slowly over the old building, my heart picking up speed with every passing second.
Five years it’s been.
Exactly five years.