Chapter 18
The morning disappeared into meetings, notes scribbled in the margins of my planner, and prep work for my first whale-watching excursion.
We’ve officially partnered with a handful of the tour companies in Depoe Bay, rotating marine biologists onto their boats so visitors can learn about the whales we track and the conservation work happening just beyond the coastline they come to admire.
It’s exciting, and a little surreal.
George puts me in charge of organizing the schedule, which feels like both a vote of confidence and a test. I build it carefully, making sure Gavin, Cassie, Rafi, and I rotate evenly, each of us assigned to a tour every two weeks.
Four weeks out. I send the email and log the dates into the system, satisfied when everything lines up the way it should.
I should feel accomplished. Instead, my thoughts keep drifting back to last night.
How easy it felt being in the kitchen with Aiden.
How natural the conversation was. How he moved around the space as if he belonged there without ever taking over.
How kind he’s been since the moment I met him, in ways that feel intentional rather than showy.
And then there’s Finn.
Showing up out of nowhere. Flowers in hand. Asking me out like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The office phone rings somewhere down the hall as I’m walking toward the coffee machine for a refill, lost in my head.
“May,” Abby calls from the front desk. “Cassie on line two for you.”
“Thanks,” I tell her, grabbing my mug and heading for the nearest phone.
“Hey, Cassie.”
“Hey, girl. Sorry to bug you. I just got your email. Would you mind if I switched days with Rafi next week? My birthday is on Friday, and I got the day off.”
“Oh, of course,” I tell her. “That’s totally fine. I’ll update it in the system.”
“Thank you. Actually, I wanted to ask if you’d like to come. We’re going to the casino Friday night—bar, slots, the whole thing.”
“The casino?” I ask, already smiling.
“And,” she adds, clearly pleased with herself, “it’s eighties night. Full eighties best. What do you say?”
“I’d love to,” I say, mentally scrolling through my closet and immediately realizing I have nothing that qualifies as eighties anything.
“Rafi will be there too,” she continues. “He already has his outfit figured out.”
“I can’t wait,” I laugh. “Cassie, that reminds me, can I ask you something in confidence?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Are you familiar with the charity event happening tonight at the winery here in town?”
“Yeah, of course. The mayor hosts it every year.”
“Damn it.”
“Why?” she asks.
I hesitate, then decide to trust her. “Finn asked me to go with him.”
There’s a beat. Then—“Finn?” she asks. “O’Donoghue?”
“Yes.”
“As in Officer O’Donoghue?” she nearly yells.
I close my eyes. “Yes.”
“Oh my God, are you going?”
“Well, now I am not sure,” I admit. “I asked him about dress code, and he said anything would be fine, but… considering it's the mayor’s event, I’m assuming jeans will not cut it?”
“Absolutely not,” Cassie says. “I mean, you could wear them, but you’d be the only one. People come from all over for this, and he’ll probably be in uniform.”
“Fantastic,” I mutter.
“And I’m guessing you didn’t pack a dress in your two little suitcases.”
“I did not. Is there anywhere in town where I could find a dress?”
“Girl, the closest place to buy a dress here is Corvallis or Albany, and that’s at least a two-hour drive.”
“Well, that’s not happening,” I sigh. “I’ll just text him and cancel. I’m sure he’ll understand.”
“Oh, hell no. What size are you?”
“I… don’t know. An eight? Maybe?”
“I think I have just the thing. Send me your address. I’ll come by right after work. You are going to look fine as hell dancing the night away.”
I hang up the receiver and reach for my phone to text Cassie my address. As I unlock the screen, I notice an unopened message.
Aiden:
Hey May. Since you’re going out tonight, I was wondering if you’d be okay with me taking Neptune out on a hike. Skye and Houston would love the company.
I smile at the screen.
At lunch, I went home as I usually do and walked Neptune a little longer than normal, guilt tugging at me at the thought of him spending another evening alone. First, the workday, now a charity event. Knowing he’ll be with Aiden—outdoors, moving, having a good time—loosens something in my chest.
I type back right away.
Me:
That would be amazing. Thank you for thinking of him.
The reply comes almost immediately.
Aiden:
Of course.
I add another message before I can second-guess myself.
Me:
I leave around seven. Feel free to let yourself in if you come by after.
Aiden:
Sounds good.
I’m about to slip my phone back into my pocket when it buzzes again.
Aiden:
And if you ever need someone to take care of Neptune, walk him, watch him, whatever you need, you can count on me.
I stare at the words for a moment, warmth spreading through me in a way I don’t try to analyze.
Me:
Thank you.
I set the phone down, heart steady and full, and head back toward my desk.
One more hour to go.
April:
It’s been almost twenty-four hours. We need an update.
June:
Do you think he stayed over?
April:
Juney girl, you know May won’t give it up that fast. She’s still… marinating.
June:
I’d be marinating all over that man if he built me a garden.
April:
Same.
I snort softly and type back while standing in the kitchen, Neptune watching me with curious eyes.
Me:
I don’t have time for an update. I have a date.
April:
WITH WHO?!
June:
Oh God, please let it be a third guy. This love triangle is quickly becoming a why-choose.
Me:
Finn.
April:
Finn?? But I thought we were Team Aiden?!
Me:
No. We are Team May.
June:
Sure, sure. Where’s he taking you?
Me:
A fundraiser. At a winery.
June:
Ooooh fancy.
April:
May. Please do not wear jeans.
Me:
I’m not. I’ll report back later.
April:
USE PROTECTION!!!
Me:
Shush.
I give Neptune a few apologetic scratches behind the ears, then rush through a shower. By the time I’m towel-drying my hair, the doorbell rings.
Cassie stands on my porch with a wide grin and a garment bag slung over her shoulder.
“Hey, girl.” I step aside to let her in. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Happy to help.” She glances down at the floor. “Shoes on or off?”
“Whatever’s comfortable.”
As we head toward the living room, Neptune lifts his head, instantly alert. The moment Cassie sees him, her face lights up.
“Oh my God,” she breathes. “Is that Neptune?”
“That’s him.”
“Is he okay with pets?”
“He’s very okay with pets.”
She sets the bag down, crouches in front of him, and offers her hand. Neptune sniffs once, then immediately flops onto his side, belly exposed, tongue lolling out as if he’s known her forever.
Cassie laughs. “You are a chunky, majestic creature. I cannot believe you’ve been keeping him from me.”
“Sorry,” I smile. “I’m glad you’ve finally met.”
She stands and reaches for the garment bag. “Okay. Let me show you what I brought. These belong to my roommate.”
She unzips it and pulls out the first dress — a deep burgundy halter-style gown, sleek and elegant.
“This one definitely screams cocktail dress, but it’s a size ten, so it might be a little loose on you.”
Then she reveals the second.
The black dress is softer. Sheer tulle, embroidered with delicate florals scattered throughout. Structured at the bodice, flowing gently down, the definition of a romantic dress.
“This one might work better,” Cassie continues. “It’s also a ten, but it laces up the back, so we can adjust it.”
“They’re both beautiful.” I glance back at the black one. “But I think this is the one. I’ve got black ankle-tie sandals that’ll work perfectly with it.”
“Perfect.” She smiles. “Want to try it on?”
I hold it up against myself, already imagining it. “I think it’s going to work. I just need to dry my hair first. Want to come upstairs with me?”
“Absolutely.”
As we head toward my room, she asks, “What are you thinking for your hair?”
“I don’t know. Maybe loose waves?”
She tilts her head. “What if we braid it to the side?”
I laugh. “I can’t do more than a simple braid. My sister April has always been the braider in the family.”
Cassie grins. “Girl. I’ve been braiding hair my entire life. I’ve got you.”
It’s twenty minutes to seven, and my makeup is already done—just a little concealer, mascara, a touch of blush, and a lip tint.
Enough to feel like myself without feeling like I’m trying too hard.
The dress fits perfectly, thanks to Cassie’s ability to work actual magic with a lace-up back, and now we’ve turned my bathroom into a makeshift hair station.
She dragged a chair upstairs while I changed, and I’m sitting on it while she stands beside me, carefully braiding my hair.
Her fingers move with practiced ease, guiding the braid from the right side of my head, across the crown, and toward my left shoulder, leaving a few loose strands around my face.
“So, what’s the deal with O’Donoghue?”
I smile at my reflection. “What do you mean?”
“Are you guys a thing?” she asks, tightening the braid slightly as she continues.
“We’re just friends, nothing more.”
“Interesting,” she hums, clearly unconvinced. “Because the other day, he was not looking at you like you’re just friends.”
I laugh softly. “You sound just like my sisters.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she laughs. “You have two sisters, right?”
“Yeah. April and June.”
Her eyes light up. “Oh my God. Spring-coded names. I love it.”
I smile. “My mom was big on Spring.”
She pauses for just a moment. “Was?”
“Yeah.” My voice softens. “She passed away almost two years ago.”
“Oh.” Cassie’s voice turns quiet. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay.” I offer her a small shrug. “How could you?” I catch her eyes in the mirror. “What about you? Any siblings?”
“Not blood-related.” She answers easily. “I grew up in the foster care system. I was never adopted, so I’ve had a lot of siblings over the years.” She ties off the braid and adjusts a few loose strands. “That’s why I’m so good at braiding hair.”
My chest tightens a little. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know that about you.”
She smiles softly. “It’s okay. How could you?” Without missing a breath, she steps back, admiring her work. “What do you think?”
I stand and move closer to the mirror. The braid is intricate, elegant, starting on one side and flowing across my head before resting over my shoulder. It’s beautiful.
“It’s stunning.” I smile at her reflection. “You really are a pro braid maker.”
She looks pleased. “You look incredible.”
I turn and hug her. “Thank you. Truly. I would’ve had to cancel if it wasn’t for you.”
“And miss the night you’re about to have with the town’s finest?” Her tone turns dramatic. “Never.”
Then she tilts her head. “You do know part of tonight’s event is for the sponsors of the Fleet of Flowers, right?”
“Cassie, I know nothing.”
She laughs. “Okay, but you’ve heard of it?”
“Yeah. The Memorial Day ceremony for those lost at sea. All boats covered in flowers and led by the Coast Guard.”
“Right.” She nods. “Part of the ceremony is that all the boats make a circle out on the water, and the Coast Guard drops a wreath in the middle from one of their helicopters. A higher-ranking officer gets assigned to hang beneath it and release the wreath.”
“Oh.” I picture it for a moment.
“Well,” she adds lightly, “your date is the lucky guy doing it this year.”
“Oh.”
“And that makes him the guest of honor tonight.”
“Oh,” I repeat, and she laughs.
“No pressure,” I mutter.
The doorbell rings, startling both of us, and then we’re laughing again.
“He’s early.” Cassie checks the time. “Ten till.”
“Oh.” I step out of the bathroom and head for my closet. “That’s probably Aiden.”
“Aiden?” Her brows lift. “As in Aiden Holloway?”
“Yeah.”
“As in the hot fireman Aiden Holloway?”
“Yes.” I slip my sandals on as I step back into the room.
“Girl.” She laughs. “What the fuck is he doing here?”
“He lives next door,” I explain. “He’s taking Neptune out.”
She shakes her head as we head toward the stairs. “Damn. You live a very hard life, don’t you?”
“Yeah,” I answer, and we both laugh.