He finishes filling another jar and sets it aside.
“Would you rather fill these,” he asks, “or start the next sourdough batch?”
I blink. “I would have no idea what I’m doing.”
“I can guide you through it,” he says. “It’s easy. I promise.”
“I’d love to learn.”
He grins. “Okay. But we’re starting your lessons with my red velvet sourdough… and I need to swear you to secrecy.”
I laugh. “Why?”
“Because this one’s our most popular,” he says, already pulling ingredients closer. “Super secret recipe. Took me years to perfect.”
“And you’re going to share it with me?” I ask, eyes widening.
He pauses, looking at me.
“May…” He pauses, meeting my eyes. “There’s not much I wouldn’t share with you.”
Chapter 25
Iwalk back into my house, my whole body feeling pleasantly heavy.
My muscles feel loose, the afternoon sun still lingering on my skin. Flour dust clings to my shirt, and no matter how many times I rinsed my hands, I can still smell blueberries and lemon.
Neptune trots in behind me, worn out in the same satisfied way I am.
I kick my shoes off near the door and let my bag slide from my shoulder onto the floor.
The house greets me with stillness. After a day full of voices, movement, and the easy rhythm of working beside Aiden, the quiet settles around me like a soft pause.
Today feels… full.
Not loud. Not overwhelming.
Calm in a way I haven’t felt in a while.
I move toward the sink and run my hands under warm water again, rubbing my fingers together. Lemon zest. Sugar. Bread dough. The smell lingers anyway.
A small smile pulls at my mouth.
I keep thinking about how easily the day unfolded — how natural it felt to exist next to him without trying to be anything different. No awkward pauses. No pressure to perform or fill the silence. Just… doing things together.
I lean against the counter for a moment, letting my head rest back.
Neptune sighs dramatically from the floor.
“Yeah,” I murmur. “I’m tired too.”
Outside, the evening light is already softening, stretching long shadows across the yard. The quiet hum of the ocean sneaks through the open window.
It’s been several hours since I last talked to April, so I pull my phone from my pocket to check for any unanswered messages.
I open our battlefield thread.
June:
