Chapter 25 Astrid
ASTRID
“Igot you something,” Gwen says, pushing into my bedroom on Friday evening.
“Hello to you too!” I shut my English book and get up from my desk. “I wasn’t expecting you to drop by.”
“It’s a quick visit,” Gwen flops onto my bed, and I sit beside her. She thrusts a bag at me. It’s black, and the words Miranda’s Lingerie are painted on both sides in gold lettering.
I arch a brow. “What is this?”
“Open it and see.” She waggles her brows.
“Is that new?” I ask, running my eyes up and down her cute outfit. Gwen has paired a pink lace blouse with baggy black pants, a denim jacket, and retro sneakers. I have never seen her wear any of it before, and it’s not her usual style.
“Yes. Scott took me shopping in Burly.” She stands up and twirls. “Do you like it?”
“You look amazing, but you know you don’t have to change your style for a guy, right?”
Annoyance splays across her face. “That’s not what I’m doing,” she barks, and I open my mouth to apologize, but she beats me to it.
“Sorry for snapping.” She reclaims her spot beside me, linking our fingers.
“I’m liking experimenting with different colors and textures.
Scott isn’t making me do anything.” She giggles.
“Truth is, he much prefers me without clothes.”
“I got that memo.” Gwen and Scott are having crazy monkey sex all the freaking time. She loves giving me a rundown of all the ways she’s driving him wild. Makes my hand-job story sound so lame.
“Open your present, Azzie. Scott’s outside, and I don’t want to keep him waiting long.”
I open the bag and remove the items wrapped in gold tissue paper, my eyes out on stalks as I inspect the teeny red lace bra and crotchless panties set. “Um, wow, thanks, Gwen.”
“You don’t like it?” Her face falls, and I feel like an ungrateful bitch.
“No, yes, I mean I do!” I pull her into a hug. “Thank you so much, but why are you buying me things? I know money is tight. You shouldn’t be wasting it on me.”
She shucks out of my hold, and I seem to have aggravated her again if the scowl on her face is any indication. “I told you things are a little easier now, and why can’t I get you things? You have been so generous to me for years, and I just want to pay it forward.”
I stand. “You don’t need to do that, but if you want to, I will not turn gorgeous lingerie down. Thank you, Gwen. It’s really thoughtful.”
Her shoulders relax, and a smile reappears on her face.
“I’m doing you a favor. Next time you’re alone with Callan, wear that, and he won’t be able to resist. Then you can make it official, and we can double date!
” She flings herself at me. “I want you to be as happy as I am.” She eases back, holding my gaze.
“You need to tell him how you feel, babe. There’s no way he doesn’t feel the same.
Renee and I think you totally need to just put it out there.
He’s not going to turn you down. The guy can’t take his eyes off you for a second. I doubt he was ever faking it.”
“You know I want to, but what if I’m wrong? He has never had a girlfriend, Gwen, and he said he doesn’t want one until he’s older and settled.”
“You’re already boyfriend and girlfriend. When he realizes he’s already in a relationship, he’ll be fine.”
A car horn blares from outside. “Scott’s getting impatient.” She kisses me on both cheeks before rummaging in her purse. “Here.” She hands me red nail polish. “I bought that to match the lingerie. Go all out!”
Red really isn’t my thing, but I don’t want to offend her. “Thanks, babe. Now go before your man shows up at the front door.”
“Good luck tomorrow. I bet he loves it so much he climbs in your window tomorrow night and ravishes you. Make sure to put the lingerie on under your PJs.” She winks before waving. “Toodles, babe. See you on Sunday at work.”
We’re both off tomorrow because Gwen is part of the cheerleading team going to Wilmington with the soccer team for an important game. Callan will be gone all day Saturday, which gives me time to put my plan into action.
“Enjoy your date, and say hi to Scott,” I call out after she leaves my room. Then I hide the lingerie at the back of my closet, where Mom won’t find it, and resume my homework.
“This is so easy to bake,” I acknowledge as Roni tips the barmbrack mixture into a greased loaf tin.
“It is. As long as you remember to soak the fruit in the tea the night before. I only add the coins and rings at Halloween, but if you want to do the same, ensure you sterilize them fully and wrap them tightly in greaseproof paper before adding to the cake mix.”
“And the cake will last until next week?” Halloween is only a week away now.
“It will. I’ll wrap it up nice and tight and keep it in a secure tin. It helps the flavors to mature and keeps it nice and moist.”
“What did you say the rings were called?” They are so pretty.
“They are Claddagh rings. A few of them were passed down from my mother, and others are rings I’ve bought over the years.
The Claddagh ring was traditionally a wedding ring in Ireland, though that’s not the case anymore.
” She hands me a cup of tea, and I follow her to the table.
The downstairs remodeling is fully complete now, and my favorite room is the enlarged kitchen and dining room.
It manages to be both elegant and homey at the same time.
We take seats at the large, thick wooden table with matching chairs. “There is one tradition that is still upheld in Ireland, though, when it comes to Claddagh rings.”
She hands me a plate of homemade cookies, and I lick my lips as I select one. Roni is always baking, and there is always cake in this house. It only gives me an additional excuse to drop by daily. “What is it?” I ask before taking a bite of the sumptuous chocolate chip cookie.
“It’s said that if it’s a leap year and the woman proposes to her partner, the marriage will be a long and happy one.”
“And women in Ireland still do that?”
“Yes. And get this.” She waggles her brows. “If the man says no, he must compensate her with an expensive gift. Or so the legend goes.”
“I bet the men don’t do that.” I stuff the last piece of cookie into my mouth.
“Probably not, but I like to think no man rejects any woman who has the guts to propose to him on February twenty-ninth.”
“You’re a huge romantic.” I grin at her.
“I am.” She sips her tea. “I’ve been reading romance books since I was ten, and they’ve definitely influenced my relationships. I’m lucky I married a man who appreciates romance and finds ways to show it.” She nudges my shoulder. “Your dad is like that too.”
“Oh, yeah. He’s a big ole romantic at heart. He’s always leaving little love notes in envelopes for Mom, and if she’s had a long day at the studio, he gives her foot rubs and runs her baths, and he regularly does the grocery shopping because he knows Mom hates it.”
“Tony is like that too, and it’s those little gestures, the things that show he’s thinking about you and trying to find ways to meet your needs and support you, that mean more than flowers and chocolates. Though I still like getting those.”
“That’s so amazing. I have always dreamed of finding a love like that.”
A twinkle glints in her eye, and I brace myself. “You know, Callan told me when he was fifteen, he’d only ever have one girlfriend, and she would be the one.”
My cheeks are so hot I feel like I need to douse myself in cold water. “Um, yeah, he mentioned that to me.”
“I know you’re both young and anything can happen, but sometimes you just know, and if it happens to be you, love, I would be overjoyed. We both would be. Callan is so happy, and a lot of that is thanks to you.”
This is a lot. Too much pressure, even if we were dating for real. But we’re not. It’s all fake, and right now, I hate that we’re deceiving his mom. She’s going to be so disappointed when it ends, and Callan returns to Ireland in June.
I hop up, desperately needing some air. “I’m, ah, just going to go see if Callan is finished.”
“Astrid, wait.”
Roni pulls me into a hug. “I’m sorry, love. I overstepped, forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive,” I say, squeezing her tight. If this were the future and my relationship with Callan was real, I would love nothing more than to call this woman my mother-in-law because she’s the best, and I love spending time with her.
“Callan has struggled a lot the last couple of years, and seeing him so content and happy means everything to us.” Tears well in her eyes as she holds my hands.
“You bring out the best in my son, and you’re the most wonderfully special person, Astrid.
Wanting you to be the one for Callan comes from the best place.
” She releases my hands, placing hers on her chest, in the place where her heart lies.
“But you’re only seventeen, and I’m being ridiculous.
It’s the romantic in me.” She laughs, swiping at her tears.
“It’s okay. If it helps, I really like Callan, and he makes me happy too.” I can give her that because it’s true, even if our relationship isn’t.
“I’m glad he’s treating you right, love. Let me know if he isn’t, and I’ll box his ears.”
A laugh tears from my lips. “You raised him well, Roni. He’s a true gentleman.” Memories of his fingers deep inside me surge to the forefront of my mind with the worst timing. It’s a miracle I don’t go up in flames.
“Go on, honey. I’m sure Callan needs a break.
We all know how he feels about that green bathroom.
” Callan and his dad are upstairs ripping it out because the contractors are coming in tomorrow to build a new non-green one.
We’ve gone for a classic white toilet, sink, and tub with a fully tiled main bathroom.
A rainforest shower will go on one side, and the new design even leaves room for a tall white unit to hold towels and toiletries.