“Well, I am taking all my final exams early – so later this week – for this semester and then I will be done with my junior year. I’m going to try and do my senior year online. The dean has been understanding and willing to help me with it. She was worried if she didn’t try to work with me, I would go elsewhere, and my diploma wouldn’t have their name on it.”
“Nobody has ever fought so hard to keep my name.” Nick snickered. “Yet, you don’t think you’re intelligent enough to have earned that promotion. I think you need some therapy, Aria.”
“I think you guys need to shut up,” I said jokingly. “But anyways, I’ll have my degree and my job – and my soon-to-be husband, of course – so I am happy. I don’t really have to go in to work or start my new position until the wedding, which helps. Now that I have arranged to take my finals early—”
“When did you even manage to do that?” Stacey looked at me in awe. “Didn’t you just find out about all this earlier this afternoon?”
“I called the dean on my way home.” I waved my hand to suggest it was no big deal. “You know how I like to be on top of things.”
“You are like, from some other planet, my goodness. Any other girl – me for sure and Nick too and he is not even a girl – would be so consumed in the excitement of all of this that at least for a day, school would be relegated to the backs of our minds.”
“Well, school is important.” I grinned. So many wonderful things were happening and I had no idea why Nick and Stacey were insistent on showering me with so compliments. Perhaps it had something to do with me moving away, but it sure as hell made me feel wonderful.
“So in summary,” Nick said, looking at a legal pad. “You are getting married in New York in three weeks, you are taking your finals next week, and you start your new position at work after the wedding. And you’re moving out tomorrow?”
“Nick, have you been taking notes?” I burst out laughing. It was classic Nick.
He flashed me a confused look. “Shouldn’t I have been? As your – wait, what will I be doing in your wedding? Stacey is maid of honor. I can’t exactly be a bridesmaid. Wait, Aria, I am in your wedding, right?” He looked horrified by the possibility that he might not be.
“You are the brides-dude-of-honor. I made up that title for you. You will be standing next to my bridesmaids with honor, but you don’t have to put on a dress; a suit will do.” I smirked.
“Awesome, then as your brides-dude-of-honor, I have to make sure we document everything so there is no lag in any part of your wedding. And I also volunteer to be the errands guy. I love running errands,” he said with a straight face, making Stacey and I burst into a fresh set of giggles.
“Pizza’s here,” I said when the doorbell rang.
It was as perfect as the last night with my two favorite people in the world could ever be.
Chapter Six
Zayden
I walked into the living room to find Aria fiddling with her boxes. A strange sense of accomplishment filled me as I watched her unpack in her new home. My home. Our home. The thought of all the wonderful memories we were going to make here for the rest of our lives filled me with profound happiness. I couldn’t believe all of this was happening, that Aria was here, now and real, and willing to be mine.
Slowly, I walked towards her, which must have startled her because she jumped. She broke into the most wonderful smile. “Hi, there,” she said. “I was starting to think I would never see you. Which is odd, considering it was your idea that I move in here right away.”
“Sorry, I was taking care of some business. I came here as fast as I could, though. The thought of you unpacking all alone at home was not making me happy,” I said, and sat down on the couch. “Come here,” I told her and welcomed her into my arms.
As she walked towards me, I tried to take a mental picture of the scene so I could keep this perfect moment savored in my memory forever.
She sat next to me and put her head on my chest, looking tired but content.
“How was your last evening with your friends?” I asked gently. “Were they upset? Are you?”
“It was bittersweet,” she said without removing her head from my chest to look at me. “We were happy together. And drunk at some point. They sent you a little present. It’s over on the kitchen counter. How do you feel about chocolate chip cookies?”
“I don’t feel strongly about them.” I shrugged.
“Well, that is about to change, then. Stacey makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. And she sent you an enormous batch to thank you for everything.”
“I take it you told her about my plans with Fiona for their wedding?” I said amusedly.
“Was I not supposed to?” She looked up at me. “I’m sorry.”
“No, no, no! Don’t apologize. I am glad you told them. I was merely amused that you guys seem to have a system of sharing news as fast as possible. Which is why I am quite surprised your friend Stacey didn’t tell you about the ring.”
She giggled. “We know to keep it tight when it really matters. They were so thrilled, Zayden. Stacey couldn’t stop crying. She can’t believe you’re real sometimes.”
“Is that so? If I weren’t real,” I said and moved my hand across her body to slide a few fingers underneath her panties, making her shudder. “How come I just made you do that?”