“I’m sorry,” I croak. “This is so beautiful that it’s caused my astigmatism to act up, but we’ve gotten off topic? Even though the topic is also kind of embarrassing, at least it didn’t make me cry? I just don’t know how comfortable I am with confirming to agovernment of some kind that Samson and I are getting married before Samson, uh, tells me that he wants to?”
Laughing once more, Lazul smiles blindingly bright. “Don’t worry about it.”
I do truly wish that people would stop telling me not to worry about things, especially after implying that they like having me around. It’s very confusing behavior, given that I am little more than a human-shaped knot of worries. Heart in my throat, I try valiantly again, “I— I just don’t know if it’s morally acceptable for everyone to be assuming something so important about Samson?”
Aurelia snuggles. “Shh. We love Sammy. We would never do anything to hurt him. Trust us.”
And now they’re attacking my trust issues, personally? Whilehuggingme?
I’ve never met this flavor of abuse before.
I do not rightly know what to do with it.
So I say, “O-okay…if you’re sure it’s all right…”
“Yup!” the four of them respond, in chilling unison.
And that’s that.
The second I get the circlet prepped, all that’s left for me to do is propose.
Chapter 36
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Cookin’ up a little jealousy.
“I really appreciate this, Neptun.”
Neptun tosses me a brilliant smile as he unloads a menagerie of cooking utensils and ingredients onto Samson’s kitchen counters. “No problem. I’m excited. I mean, how could I turn down the opportunity to experiment on new recipes with a friend?”
I…was not aware we were friends.
Sure, okay, I collected the materials to help rebuild his and Laumon’s house seasons ago, and I waved amicably when I saw him on my way to complete my Learn Fishing quest with Laumon, andsomehowmy bumbling request for help today resulted in a total of two relationship hearts with the man, but like.
We barely know each other.
I do not know what cutscenes created heart events.
Once finished unpacking, Neptun plants his hands at his hips and grins at the chaos on the counters. “How long did you say we have before Samson comes back?”
“I’m not completely sure. He told me he had to go into the city today, and he suggested that he’d be gone most of the afternoon. He’ll be back before dark, but dark is still late-ish this early in Autumn and…yeah.” I bite my tongue before my nerves carry away every thought in my head.
Neptun does not need to know I’m worried about what couldpossiblyhave sent Samson to the city mere weeks after we went there ourselves and he told me, personally, how he’d not been back there foryears. If he got up the courage to hirea matchmaker, I will not be okay. Ever again. Sharing these anxieties are certainly at least a five-heart friend thing, not a two-heart one. Or a three-heart one, even, which I suspect is what Neptun and I will be at by the end of today.
These people in Gem Ridge throw their friendship hearts around like candy.
Because, get this, I havefourwith Austin.
Austin!
I don’t know what compelled me to check.
Maybe I just caught an accidental glimpse of his profile when I was gazing longingly at Samson’s eight beautiful hearts, like I do, routinely. To make sure I’ve not lost one accidentally at any point for any reason.
The point is: if I accidentally gain one more heart with Austin, he’ll be at risk of witnessing my panic breakdowns.
I’d feel bad for him, if my hearts for him weren’t negative one.
