The reception was in full swing, the dining area alive with the clatter of plates and the warm hum of laughter. Our table felt cozy, the four of us—me, Aeri, Sara, and Daniel—settled in.
The air smelled of buttery rolls and wine, and the faint jazz in the background kept the mood light. Aeri leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she looked at Sara.
"So, you guys got any big honeymoon plans?" Aeri asked, her voice bright as she propped her chin on one hand, genuinely interested.
Sara’s face lit up, her smile wide and excited. "Oh, yeah! We’re heading to a resort in the Maldives," she said, practically bouncing in her seat. "It’s all booked—white sandy beaches, crystal water, the whole deal. I can’t wait!"
Aeri let out a dreamy sigh, her eyes going wide. "Oh my gosh, the Maldives? That sounds so perfect," she said, leaning back in her chair. "Someday, I’m totally going there. Just imagine, lounging by the ocean, sipping something fruity with a little umbrella in it."
Sara laughed, her short dark hair bouncing as she tilted her head. "You’d love it, Aeri," she said, then grinned mischievously. "You and Ezra should totally go on a trip somewhere, you know. Doesn’t have to be a honeymoon. Just, like, a fun mother-son adventure."
I nearly choked on my mashed potatoes, keeping my eyes glued to my plate as Aeri shot Sara a look, her cheeks turning pink. The idea of us traveling together, just the two of us, sent my mind racing back to our earlier moment in the hallway, and I shoved a bite of steak in my mouth to avoid saying anything stupid.
Daniel, catching the vibe, chuckled and leaned forward. "Hey, why don’t you two just come with us?" he said, his tone easy and inviting. "Plenty of room at the resort, and it’d be fun to have you there."
Sara’s eyes lit up even more, and she reached across the table, grabbing Aeri’s hands. "Yes, Aeri, come on! Join us!" she said, her voice full of excitement. "It’ll be like old times, just with better views and fancier drinks."
Aeri’s face went bright red, and she threw her hands up, laughing nervously. "What? No, no, no, that’s way too much!" she said, her voice a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "You guys are newlyweds! We’re not gonna crash your honeymoon and be, like, the ultimate third wheels. It’s your special time."
Sara waved her hand dismissively, still grinning. "Oh, come on, it’s fine! We don’t mind at all. Daniel’s the one who suggested it, right, babe?" She nudged Daniel, who nodded, looking completely unbothered.
"Seriously, it’d be great," Daniel said, cutting into his steak. "The more the merrier. We’re not gonna be that couple who needs total privacy every second."
Aeri shook her head, still flushed but smiling. "Ugh, you guys are too much," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Okay, fine, I’ll think about it, but no promises. I’m still against crashing your vibe."
Sara clapped her hands together, looking pleased. "That’s good enough for now," she said, winking. "I’ll wear you down eventually."
I stayed quiet, focusing way too hard on my food, cutting my steak into tiny pieces like it was a work of art. Any opinion from me right now would probably land me in hot water with Aeri, and I wasn’t about to risk that. I could feel her glance at me, her eyes narrowing slightly like she was daring me to chime in, but I just smirked and took another bite.
The night rolled on, the conversation flowing easily between the four of us until the other guests started pulling Sara and Daniel away for photos and congratulations.
The reception wound down, the music softening as people began to gather their things, saying their goodbyes with hugs and laughter. The hall slowly emptied, the once-packed tables now scattered with crumpled napkins and half-empty wine glasses.
Finally, it was just me and Aeri standing outside the wedding hall, the cool night air brushing against us.
Sara and Daniel had just climbed into their car, the taillights glowing red as they pulled away. Aeri waved, her arm high, her smile soft but tired as she watched them go. The car disappeared around a corner, and she let out a long, slow sigh, her shoulders slumping as the weight of the day seemed to melt off her.
"There she goes..." Aeri said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes lingered on the empty street, her dark hair catching the faint light as she tucked a strand behind her ear.
I shoved my hands deeper into my pockets, feeling the cool fabric against my fingers.
"To start a new life..." I said, my voice just as quiet, almost like I was talking to myself.
Aeri nodded, her gaze still fixed on the spot where the car had been. "Yeah... a new life," she repeated, her words carrying a mix of joy and something bittersweet.
She turned to me then, her face softening into a warm smile that made my chest tighten. The way her eyes crinkled, the way her lips curved— it was like she was letting me see a piece of her heart.
"Let’s go now," I said, breaking the silence, my voice a little rougher than I meant it to be.
"Yeah, let’s go home," Aeri said, her smile widening as she faced me fully.
Her dress swayed slightly in the night air, the fabric catching the light from a nearby lamp post. There was something so easy about her in that moment, like the chaos of the day had finally melted away, leaving just her.
A sudden breeze swept through, tugging at our clothes and tossing Aeri’s hair across her face. She laughed softly, reaching up to brush it away, and I felt my face heat up. The world around us went quiet— no cars, no voices, just the faint rustle of leaves and the hum of the night. We stood there, staring at each other, and I couldn’t help but think how cute she looked, her cheeks slightly pink from the cool air, her eyes soft and bright. My heart did a weird flip, and I suddenly felt shy, like a kid caught doing something he shouldn’t.
"Come on," I said, my voice quieter now, almost hesitant. I held out my hand, my fingers open toward her, half-expecting her to laugh it off.
Aeri’s eyes flicked to my hand, and a soft pink bloomed across her cheeks. Her smile turned shy, but she didn’t hesitate.
She reached out, her fingers sliding into mine, warm and soft, fitting perfectly. My breath caught for a second, and I could feel my pulse in my fingertips where our hands touched. For the first time ever, we were walking hand in hand, my other hand still stuffed in my pocket, trying to play it cool.
We started walking, our steps slow and in sync, the ground crunching softly under our shoes.
Aeri didn’t say anything, just kept her eyes forward. The silence between us wasn’t awkward, but it was heavy, like it was carrying something unspoken. I wondered what she was feeling— was her heart racing like mine? Was she thinking about the way our hands fit together, or was it just another moment for her?
The question hung in my mind, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask it. Not yet.