Chapter 22
Iwake up just after seven.
The memory of the kiss drifts through my thoughts for a moment—soft, easy, familiar—before settling somewhere quiet inside me. I wait for something louder to follow. Butterflies maybe. A flutter.
But nothing comes.
Not in a bad way. It’s just… quiet.
The morning outside is already bright. Sunlight spilling through the curtains in warm stripes across the floor. The sky is clear, bright enough that I already want to be outside. The weather is perfect, and it’s only going to get better. I am already reaching for my shoes.
Neptune lifts his head the moment I move.
“Okay, okay,” I murmur, smiling as I push myself out of bed. “You’re right. We’ve got things to do.”
I dress quickly in tights, a soft T-shirt, comfortable tennis shoes—nothing fancy. I am going for comfortable. By the time I clip Neptune’s leash on, he’s already bouncing by the door, tail sweeping across the floor.
The moment we step outside, the first thing I see is Aiden.
He’s loading crates into the back of his truck, moving with that calm efficiency he seems to carry everywhere.
He looks up and sees me, and the softest smile spreads across his face.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” he answers, easy and warm.
We look at each other for a second longer than necessary before I lift Neptune’s leash slightly.
“I was about to give him a walk. Have you taken Skye out yet?”
“I was just about to.”
“I can take her too, if you’d like.”
He nods. “That’d be great. Have you eaten yet?”
“Not yet. I’ll eat after we walk.”
“I’ll have breakfast ready when you get back. Just come in through the front door.”
“I can make breakfast if you want. You seem to be pretty busy.”
His smile softens, almost amused. “I’m done here. I can take care of it. I want to make something for my uncle before his caretaker arrives anyway.”
“Sounds good.”
“Let me grab Skye.”
While he disappears inside, I look over the truck again. Crates fill the bed, neatly organized and tied down, like he planned every inch ahead of time. Neptune sits patiently beside me, watching the door.
Aiden comes back seconds later, Skye trotting happily at his side.
“Hey, sweet girl,” I call as she rubs her head against my leg.
Aiden watches quietly as Skye settles next to me.
I take the leash, and both dogs fall into step like they’ve been doing this forever.
We start walking.
“I’m kind of jealous,” I say after a moment. Neptune looks up at me as if understanding. “I’ve never been invited on one of your hikes. I bet they’re so much fun.”
When we get back from the walk, I hesitate at Aiden’s front door.
He told me just to come in, but something about walking straight into someone else’s home feels too bold, even now. I shift both leashes to one hand and knock instead.
The door opens a few seconds later.
Aiden stands there with a kitchen towel thrown over his shoulder and a smile that suddenly makes me feel warmer.
“You’re just in time,” he says. “Breakfast’s ready.”
He steps aside, holding the door open, and I walk in slowly.
“Shoes on or off?” I ask.
“Whatever you prefer,” he says, already kneeling to unclip Skye’s leash, then Neptune’s. His movements are practiced, calm, as if this is just part of his rhythm.
“Come in.”
He heads down the short hallway toward the kitchen, and I follow, taking everything in.
The layout is almost identical to my place—same narrow hallway, same open feel—and when we reach the end, I notice the large window overlooking the ocean.
Morning light spills across the living room, catching on furniture that looks worn and comfortable.
The room feels lived-in, warm in a way mine still doesn’t.
Near the window, an older man sits in a recliner, a blanket draped over his legs.
Both dogs are already with him, tails wagging as he pets Neptune’s head, and I can tell by how comfortable Neptune is that they have met before.
“Uncle Mike, this is May, our new next-door neighbor.”
The older man turns toward me, his smile immediately warm.
I step forward and offer my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Well, the pretty girl finally appears.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks.
“I was wondering how long it was gonna take my nephew to ask you out.”
“Uncle Mike,” Aiden says from behind me, his tone half warning, half amused.
Mike waves him off. “Are you having breakfast with us?”
I nod. “Yes, sir.”
“You can call me Mike.” He pushes himself up slowly from the chair.
Both dogs instinctively move out of his way. I shift slightly, wondering if I should help, but he finds his footing and starts toward the kitchen on his own.
“C’mon, girl.” He motions me forward. “These biscuits are best when they’re warm.”
I follow him into the kitchen. The table is already set for three.
Plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and a basket of steaming biscuits sit in the center.
It immediately takes me back to Sunday mornings with mom.
Waking up to the smell of fresh biscuits and finding her in the kitchen reading her magazines and drinking her favorite tea.
I have to shake the memory out of my head before I start getting emotional.
“Wow. You made all of this? How long was I gone?”
Aiden stands by the counter, filling mugs with coffee.
He glances over his shoulder. “In my defense, the biscuits were already in the oven when you picked up Skye.”
Mike settles into his chair at the table with a knowing grin.
“See? His plan all along. Get you over here and impress you with his baking skills.”
I laugh softly. “I’m already impressed.”
Breakfast moves quietly around me—forks against plates, small questions, easy laughter.
Mike asks about where I’m from, what brought me here, and how Neptune is settling in, and I find myself answering without overthinking.
Comfortable.
When his caretaker arrives, Aiden and I clear the table together.
“Would it be okay if Skye stays with Neptune?” I ask as we finish loading the dishwasher. “They can keep each other company while we’re gone.”
Aiden glances toward the living room, where both dogs are stretched out next to each other. “You sure?”
“Yeah. They’ll be happier together.”
He nods. “Okay.”
I gather both leashes, and both follow without being asked.
Skye is carrying a toy in her mouth, as if already knowing she’s going to stay at her friend's house. They follow me out the door, and we cross the yard into mine. I unlock the front door, and they run in, already making themselves comfortable in Neptune’s bed.
I grab a hat, my bag, refill the dogs’ water, and point at them before heading back out.
“Be good,” I warn, though Neptune barely lifts his head.
When I step outside again, Aiden is waiting by his truck, sunlight catching against the metal.
“Ready?” he asks, opening my door.
I nod, climbing in.
“We’re going to Siletz. It’s about a forty-minute drive.”
The morning stretches wide around us—clear sky, open road, the ocean flashes in and out between trees, sunlight glinting off the water.
We fall into an easy quiet that doesn’t feel awkward or empty. Just… peaceful.
After a few minutes, Aiden glances over. “You wanna put some music on?”
“Sure.”
He hands me his phone. “Password’s 1120.”
I pause for half a second, surprised at how casually he trusts me with it, then type it in. The screen unlocks to a picture of Skye running along the beach, ears flying, tongue out.
I smile.
I have almost the same photo of Neptune on my phone.
“Any preference?” I ask.
“Whatever you’re in the mood for.”
I open the music app, pull up one of my favorite 80s playlists, and hit play.
The opening notes of Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac fill the truck.
“Aah,” Aiden smiles as he glances at me. “Great song.”
I lock the phone and place it in the center console, leaning back in my seat as the road curves along the coast.
The ocean moves beside us, endless and calm.
And for a while, I just sit there with the warm sun on my arm, music humming softly, feeling quiet, steady happiness settle in my chest.