She watched her screen, and her heart flipped when she saw the “Read at 7:59” notification appear beneath her message. The three dots appeared, then evaporated. They started again, and that time a message came through.
Sounds good. Girls are doing great.
The top on whatever had been building inside her twisted off, and her shoulders dropped. “I’m all set.”
Colin nodded approvingly. “Mango and sticky rice first, though.”
_____
The night air was crisp, a perfect beginning of summer evening. They walked the short distance to the park, following the sounds of live music and laughter. Strings of fairy lights hung from the trees, and for a split second, Aelin fell in love with the vision of a different version of herself.
Someone who fit perfectly there. Who knew about folk music and had festivals on her calendar and who said things like,“There’s nothing like hearing it live.”She would have a nose ring and a tattoo of some deep quote by Aristotle scrawled on her ribs in cursive, and she’d hold hands with men she barely knew because human connection was that imperative for maintaining her feminine energy.
The idea was so intoxicating she didn’t even flinch whenColin slipped his palm against hers and asked her to dance. They wove past people sitting on the grass and joined the couples swaying in the makeshift aisles.
Colin slid his arms around her waist, and she looped hers around his neck. “I’m glad we got a do-over.”
Aelin nodded, her voice breathy. “Me, too.”
He laughed low in her ear. “Megan told me a lot about you, but I think she undersold you.”
Aelin’s cheeks warmed, the sentiment so flattering she didn’t quite know what to do with it. And then, for the first time all night, Bailey settled back at the forefront of her mind, and the fun-loving, fictional woman she’d been constructing disappeared in a poof of smoke.
Colin sighed. “I love this band. They’re from Okotoks. I saw them at a bar downtown a few months ago and got hooked."
Aelin smiled.Of course he did.
They danced and chatted for a few more songs, and she held his hand as they walked along the booths next to the river. At ten o’clock, they all walked back to their cars and said their goodbyes. Megan and Tag did their best to escape and give her privacy with Colin, but they passed Aelin’s car first. She gave him a hug, and he pecked her cheek. He asked for her number, and she gave it to him, then hopped in her car and punched in Ryan’s address.
At every stoplight, the music festival vibes seemed to be digested a little more by the realization that she’d left Ryan watching her daughter until after ten o’clock. What had she been thinking? He’d signed up for a couple of hours, not four.
Her stomach flipped as she parked and jogged to the front door of Ryan's place. She appreciated that his car was in the driveway, so she didn’t have to obsessively check whether she had the right house.
She knocked, and after a few long seconds, the door swung open. Ryan stood on the other side of the storm door, his hairtied back, wearing joggers and a T-shirt that made his grey eyes look more blue than usual.
He pushed the door open and motioned for her to come in. “Hey.”
"Hey." Aelin kept her voice low, matching his volume. "I'm so sorry. I didn't even realize how late it was."
Ryan shrugged, but his stance was tense. “I told you to take your time.” Aelin nodded, scanning the living room. “The girls are asleep in Amaya’s room. They were reading in there. Didn’t last long.”
Aelin’s throat tightened. “Oh. Okay.”
Ryan turned and walked past the couch into the kitchen. His house had an open ranch floor plan. She loved the minimalist lighting and muted colours on the walls. It felt very . . . him. Though she couldn’t put her finger on why.
“Do you want a cup of tea?” he asked. “I just heated up some water.”
Aelin nodded, not sure why she was accepting the offer when it was already so late. But Bailey was already sleeping. It wasn’t going to make a difference whether she left right then or in ten minutes.
She took off her heels, set her purse next to them, then walked into the kitchen that was illuminated only by a glow from the under-counter lighting and took a seat on one of the stools at the island.
Ryan pulled another mug from the cupboard and filled it with boiling water from the kettle. “I’ve got peppermint or apple spice.”
“Mm. Peppermint.”
He nodded and opened a tea bag, then reached across the counter and set the mug in front of her. He repeated the same process with his own tea, then stood across from her, playing with the string as it steeped. “So. Good date?”
A flush crept up her neck. She nodded. “Great.”
