Morning sunlight slipped gently through Aeris' curtains, warming the small apartment with a soft golden glow. She sat cross-legged on her bed, phone pressed to her ear, still wearing an oversized sweater and loose shorts. The street food bag from last night still sat on the kitchen counter. Her mind had replayed the evening more times than she cared to admit. The race, The laugh, The kiss on her hand and that quiet promise that they would show each other their worlds.
Nyra's voice suddenly burst loudly through the phone.
"HE DID WHAT?"
Aeris winced and pulled the phone slightly away from her ear.
"Nyra, relax."
"Relax?" Nyra gasped dramatically. "A man who can literally buy an entire island decided to run in the rain with you like a teenager?"
Aeris laughed. "When you say it like that it sounds ridiculous."
"Because it is ridiculous!"
Nyra groaned loudly. "I'm on my honeymoon and my best friend is casually telling me she raced a billionaire under a street lamp."
"He's not a billionaire."
"You don't know that."
"Nyra."
"Okay fine," Nyra said quickly. "But the island gift thing still stands!"
Aeris smiled faintly.
"He lost the race."
Nyra went quiet for a second. "…he lost?"
"Yes."
"You beat him?"
"Yes."
Nyra burst out laughing.
"Oh my God."
"What?"
"This man is probably used to people bowing when he enters a room and my best friend just beat him in a wet sidewalk sprint."
Aeris shook her head, smiling.
"You're dramatic."
"No I'm realistic."
Nyra paused.
"Wait."
"What?"
"Did he get mad?"
"No."
"Not even a little?"
"No."
Nyra gasped again.
"Oh he likes you."
Aeris groaned.
"Nyra…"
"I'm serious."
"He doesn't like me."
"He raced you in the rain."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"He kissed your hand."
Aeris froze slightly.
"You told me that part too," Nyra added smugly.
Aeris rolled onto her back on the bed. "Can we change the subject?"
Nyra hummed suspiciously.
"Fine."
A brief pause followed.
Then Nyra spoke again.
"So… why did Renek call you?"
Aeris sighed.
"I knew you'd circle back to that."
"Of course I would."
She hesitated slightly. "He showed up actually."
Nyra's tone changed instantly.
"He WHAT?"
"He said he was in the area and it was raining."
"And you let him in?"
Aeris rubbed her forehead. "Yes."
Nyra groaned loudly.
"Aeris!"
"What?"
"Why would you do that?"
"He was drenched."
"I don't care if he was drowning," Nyra snapped. "That man is engaged!"
"I know."
"And you still opened the door?"
Aeris sighed again.
"He just talked."
Nyra scoffed.
"Let me guess."
"Guess what."
"He told you he still loves you."
Aeris blinked.
"…yes."
Nyra went silent. Then she laughed. "Oh this is messy."
"Nyra."
"I'm sorry but it is!"
"He had a fight with Possy."
Nyra snorted. "I'm sure he did."
"He said he realized he made a mistake."
"Convenient."
Aeris stared at the ceiling. "I told him he was being delusional."
Nyra clapped loudly on the other end.
"GOOD."
"He asked if the call I got was from the guy at the wedding."
"And you said?"
"Nothing."
Nyra sighed with satisfaction. "Perfect."
Aeris smiled faintly.
"He left."
"Good."
Nyra paused, Then she added casually, "But seriously don't let him in again."
"I won't."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Nyra hummed approvingly.
"Good."
Another short pause followed.Then Nyra's tone shifted again, this time playful. "By the way."
"What?"
"I'll be back next week."
Aeris lifted her head.
"Already?"
"Honeymoon doesn't last forever unfortunately."
Aeris smiled.
"I missed you."
"I know." Then Nyra added dramatically, "And when I get back you are taking me to that food shack."
Aeris laughed.
"You've been there a hundred times."
"Yes but this time it's different."
"Why?"
Nyra's voice turned mischievous. "Because you took Caelum there."
Aeris groaned.
"Oh no."
"Oh yes."
"You're never going to let this go, are you?"
"Never."
Nyra chuckled. "You owe me dinner."
"For what?"
"For exposing a mysterious rich man to our sacred street food location."
Aeris laughed again.
"You're ridiculous."
Nyra gasped.
"Excuse me?"
"That place belongs to us."
"Exactly," Nyra said proudly. "And now he's part of the legend."
Aeris sat quietly for a moment. A strange warmth filled her chest. Nyra suddenly asked softly, "Do you like him?"
Aeris hesitated. Then she answered honestly.
"I don't know."
Nyra hummed.
"But you want to see him again."
Aeris looked toward the window where sunlight spilled across the floor.
"…yes."
Nyra laughed quietly.
"Yeah." "I figured."