Chapter 31
Astrid
I reopened the wedding planner files today after almost a month. Sure, I’d been in touch with the clients, but if they'd asked for specifics, I'd have been the kid flipping blank notebook pages, desperately avoiding eye contact with the teacher.
I spent the morning sorting through updates and adding timelines into my tracker. Mabel’s call came in, unexpected, pulling me into a much-needed break.
“I hope I didn’t ruin your morning.” Her voice came through, bright and cheery.
“Not even close,” I said. “Your call came at the perfect time. I needed a break.”
“Look at me, being all helpful.” She laughed warmly. “Honestly, I still don’t understand how your energy stayed high throughout the entire festival. I tried something like that for just a day and spent the next two flat in my bed.”
At least you recognize my energy levels— now, if you'd clue in your son, I'd owe you big-time.
“I don't know, I guess I'm just wired weirdly,” I admitted. “Once I start moving, I just keep getting more energy.”
“If I had even half your energy, I swear I'd be Wonder Woman by now,” she said. “And Astrid, thank you. You brought back the joy Orange Falls had been missing. I've never seen everyone this happy.”
Compliments always made me squirm because the second someone praised me, my brain immediately jumped to the hundred things I'd probably messed up.
“You gotta give Aeron more credit.” I’d have been a mess without him. While I managed the events, Aeron took care of logistics and all the crucial behind-the-scenes stuff. It surprised me how effortlessly he handled the business end of things, given he'd never dipped his toes into that side before.
“Oh, you should’ve seen him.” Mabel sighed. “I tried complimenting him, and he just gave me a blank stare and said, “Mom, are you feeling okay?” I swear, Astrid, praising a cat would’ve been easier.”
“Sounds exactly like Aeron.” I loved this mother-son duo. Mom was the puppy on a sugar rush, while son was the lazy cat sprawled on a windowsill.
“Are you free tomorrow? Come over for lunch?”
“Only if you promise pasta,” I bargained. The doorbell chimed right on cue, and I headed over to answer it.
“Deal. Extra cheese just for you,” she said happily. “And clear your afternoon. We’ve got plenty to talk about.”
Lots to talk about, absolutely. Though half of it would circle back to Eleanor. Not that I minded. Kelly and I would have our own little recap call afterward anyway. “Wouldn’t miss it,” I promised.
I opened the door, y smile froze for half a heartbeat, then widened fully.
Aeron.
His gaze dropped pointedly to the phone still pressed to my ear. I gave him a caught-in-the-act smile. Yep, guilty again. After a quick bye to Mabel, I ended the call and opened the door wider to let him in.
He pulled me into his arms. “Tie that phone to your ear.” He clicked the door shut. “It’d save you time.” He pulled me even closer.
“It was your mom.” I smiled into his chest as his warmth melted through me. Just being this close to him, hearing his voice, feeling his arms around me, turned my brain into complete mush. “She called me to say thanks.” I didn’t mention her lunch invitation. I’d give him a surprise.
“She likes you more than me now.”
I tilted my face up to his. “Does that bother you?”
He tightened his arms. “Not even a little.”
I grinned to myself, then suddenly straightened, eyes wide. “Oh shit, I just remembered something really important. I haven’t given you a home tour. Welcome to my home.”
I tugged him along, channeling every YouTuber I'd ever watched give a house tour. Aeron nodded patiently, letting me drag him through the kitchen, past the storage room, then into the guest room, and then we finally stopped in front of my bedroom door.
“And this,” I said, opening the door, “is my room.”
His eyes roamed over the soft lavender-and-lilac walls, pausing a beat too long on the framed photo of Kelly and me laughing.
His expression shifted, as if he'd just spotted his least favorite vegetable.
His eyes moved on to the bed buried under a pink fruit-print bedspread, matching pillows, and the frog plushie proudly sitting in the center.
“Are you sure an adult sleeps here?”
“Yep.” I grinned shamelessly. “A very mature adult.”
I dragged him toward my closet and opened the door—instant regret. Clothes were stuffed inside, looking like survivors of a wild night.
I slammed it shut, and moved to the other closet, somehow managing to expose an even bigger disaster.
Hair accessories thrown around, skincare bottles uncapped, scrunchies and rubber bands scattered like confetti.
I tried shutting the embarrassment, but Aeron’s arm shot out, a teasing smile spreading, like he'd just stumbled onto blackmail material.
“The confidence you had to give me a full home tour without a hint of shame, I’m impressed.” He chuckled, reaching to the far corner of the shelf. He picked the Cryptex code box, eyebrows raising in amused suspicion. “Why do you have a spy box in the middle of your hair ties?”
My hands went clammy as he shook the box, something rattling inside. He was already turning it over, searching for the combination, when I swiftly snatched it from his grip. “There’s nothing important inside. Just some childhood stuff,” I lied.
“Childhood stuff?” Aeron echoed, his eyes searching mine. “You’re shaking like I pulled the pin on a grenade, Dizzytrid.”
“No…I-I’m not.” Panic made my words stumble. I wrapped my arms around him. Whether the hug distracted him or he chose not to pry, he didn't push it.
I still needed time—time to figure out a way to tell him that inside the box were five years of memories that I’d shared with someone I’d never actually met, somehow become my first love.