Chapter 26
Aria
For the first time in what feels like forever, Sophia and I are working the same shift.
I haven’t really seen her since Grayson was cleared close to a month ago, so the fact that I get to see her today has me excited.
It’s been a roller coaster two months here in Chicago, and as the days go by, I can’t help but just feel happy.
When I decided to take a travel nurse assignment here, I thought it was going to be a boring six months.
I thought I would make a few friends, explore the city a bit, work, and then head to whatever rental I had at the time.
In my head, I didn’t see Chicago as anything other than a way to get out, to escape everything I had been through.
I didn’t see it as anything special, and for the first week, it wasn’t. Everything was just how I thought it was going to be: boring, absolutely nothing special.
Quickly, though, Sophia and I became friends, with her stepping into the shoes Serena wasn’t there to fill.
I started to fall in love with the hospital and every single patient who came through the pediatric unit.
I started to get to know the city and love all the pieces of it.
Then, Sophia came to me with a nursing assignment, and my life in Chicago changed even more.
No, actually, it wasn’t Sophia who changed my time in Chicago—it was the brother of the person we were helping. Everything shifted when I saw Elliot again for the first time in three years.
It’s been a little over a month since we agreed to be friends with benefits, a few weeks since I told him about Jack and what he did to drive me out of Austin. Since then, things have been…better than expected.
Just like my time here in Chicago, I had a different idea of what was going to happen between Elliot and me.
I thought we would see each other when we had time, very much in booty call territory.
We would show up at our respective places, have sex, and then we would leave.
That’s how it was the first few days, and that’s how I expected things to continue.
I was wrong. That was not how things continued, not by a long shot.
That trip to the coffee shop and opening up about Jack shifted everything.
All the booty calls I thought we were going to have are now nonexistent.
Instead, there are nights filled with exploring Chicago, trying new-to-me restaurants, watching movies, and going to the baseball games.
There is sex too, almost every time we see each other, but it’s never the top priority.
He even helped me move into my new rental, the one he very much isn’t paying for, and then he stayed, ordering take out to help me unpack.
To someone on the outside, everything we’re doing is very much in dating, couple territory, but Elliot and I know it isn’t, and we are more than okay with that. We’re having fun in a multitude of ways. He is making my time here in Chicago ten times better, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
There’s potential here in Chicago, and it’s not only because of Elliot. I can see myself spending more than three more months here. I can see myself settling down and building a life like I had in Austin—minus the asshole politician.
Sure, it will be further away from my parents in California, and I won’t be a thirty-minute drive from Serena, but that’s what plane are for. It’s not like me moving to Chicago means I will never see them again.
This city could be more than just an escape, more than just a way to forget, and if it doesn’t work out, I can always head somewhere else.
Coming here was so I could repair myself, and it’s working.
I don’t want to give it up. I’m feeling more and more like myself as the days go on, and I absolutely love it.
Which is why I went to talk to the nurse manager as soon as I got in this morning about the possibility of a more permanent position.
She was excited about me wanting to extend my time here, and while they can’t give me anything permanent right now, she is optimistic something will open up in a few weeks.
I’m optimistic too.
And if this hospital doesn’t work out, there are others in the city I can try. If I am meant to be here in Chicago, something will come. Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face as I sit in the cafeteria, eating my chicken pesto sandwich.
My nails are a baby blue and my hair is freshly done, thanks to a lovely millionaire and the credit card he gave me to use, for my wants not my needs, and I am happy. Life is really good right now.
“Damn, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone smile that big over a sandwich. It must be really good,” the honey blonde friend I’ve been waiting to see all day says as she sits in the chair across from me, her own food in front of her.
“It’s the best sandwich in the whole world,” I say to Sophia, throwing a smile in her direction.
She just laughs. “What has you in such a good mood?”
“Life. Life is good right now. My nails and hair are done, I love my job, and I might get to see my best friend this month. There is so much to be happy about.”
She lets out a gasp and gives me a shocked face I know is fake. “Best friend? I thought I was your one and only.”
I snort, my pesto chicken almost making its way out of my mouth.
“You’re my Chicago bestie and will always be.” I throw her a wink. “Serena has been attached to my hip since college, and she will have to kill me to get rid of me.”
Sophia laughs before taking a drink of her water. “I feel that. Well, maybe I can add to your good mood.”
“Really? How?” I ask, curiosity prominent in my voice.
“The Chicago Dark Knights are having a gala tomorrow, to celebrate the new season. You should come and finally meet my hockey family.”
I may not be much of a hockey person, but that sounds like something you have to be invited to by the team itself and not a player’s girlfriend.
“Isn’t that only for the team?” I ask, confusion very much in my voice. “I don’t think you can invite just anyone.”
Sophia shrugs. “You’re not just anyone. You were part of Grayson’s recovery team. I’m sure he will be fine with you coming. I think it would be nice for you to meet new people.”
She does have a point. The people I know and talk to here in Chicago are only a select few; it would be nice to make that circle a little bigger. Still, it doesn’t feel right just accepting Sophia’s invitation. If it was Elliot’s thought, I would, but he hasn’t mentioned anything about a gala.
I think Sophia sees my reluctance. “Let me text Grayson and see if you can come. Being his nurse has to come with some perks.”
Right away, she pulls out her phone and starts typing.
“Did you ever think you would be able to just text the owner of the hockey team your boyfriend plays for?” I ask, because that is not a normal thing.
“Never. I also never thought I would help said owner take a shower, but here we are,” she says, sending off the text message and putting her phone down, giving her food all her attention.
The attention only lasts for about two seconds, because her phone dings with a notification.
She reads it and smiles as she turns the screen to face me. I see the text thread between her and Grayson, the message on top asking if it was okay if I joined them at the Gala tomorrow night.
At the bottom is Grayson’s response.
Grayson Lane
Yes. I’ll put her on the list and text her the information.
Ten seconds later, my phone dings, and sure enough, it’s Grayson with the information I need for tomorrow.
“Wow. That was quick,” I say, reading though the information.
I guess this gala isn’t any ordinary party. It’s also a charity event, and it’s black tie. It’s specifically states women are encouraged to wear a floor-length gown.
Floor-length. Where the hell am I going to find a gown on such short notice? Hair and makeup, I can handle, but a dress? I got nothing.
My mind goes to Isabella and her designs, and I can’t help but wonder if she might have something ready for me to wear and will send it to me overnight. It would save me a panic buying spree tomorrow morning. I send her a quick text to see if it’s possible.
“So what do you say? Will you go?” Sophia asks, making puppy dog eyes at me.
“As long as I’m able to find a dress, I will be there.”
* * *
Isabella Morales Reyes is an angel sent from all the heavens that exist.
After I sent her the message asking if she had a dress ready for me to go, she texted me right back, telling me she did, in fact, have a dress.
I about cried out of happiness and relief, because I didn’t have to go to this gala wearing a body con dress I’m sure has a stain on it that has never come out no matter how much I washed it.
She was able to overnight me the dress, and it arrived promptly on my doorstep at noon.
The second I opened the box and saw the dress, I fell in love. It was a beautiful light purple fabric, off the shoulders, and when I tried it on, it fit me perfectly. I didn’t want to take it off after trying it on, but I had to, because no way was I going to ruin it as I got ready.
But the second I have my hair in perfect loose curls and I have a full face of makeup on, I slide the dress back on. The second I look at the myself in the mirror, my mouth drops.
Damn, I look good. The dress hits all the right places, and the light purple fabric compliments my light brown hair and skin perfectly. I also went to go change the color of my nails so they can match the dress, and thank God I did. Everything goes perfectly.
Since I’m loving everything about my look tonight, I decide to take a picture and send it off to two different threads.
The first one is to Isabella so she could see the finishing product.
Within seconds, she sends me a bunch of heart eye emojis accompanied by a few fire ones.
Isabella
Oh my God! That dress was made for you!
Aria
It’s all thanks to you! I’m going to be screaming your name from the rooftop tonight. Thank you! Thank you! THAANK YOOUUU!