Despite the rumbling inside her mind, her lingering questions, her fragile hope that maybe he feels the same way, Aria is certain about the answer to this question. “Of course.”
A grin spreads slowly over Bailey’s lips. “So why are you stressing?”
Aria pulls herself upright from the counter. “I never said I was going in a relaxed manner. I care too much to be entirely relaxed about this.”
“You’re going there to get your man.”
Aria pulls her expression upward into a hopeful smile with a hint of a grimace. “If all goes to plan.”
She won’t know exactly how Griffin feels until she can pin him down and talk to him, but there was never any question about whether Aria would try.
If she’s learned anything from him coming into her life, it’s that being vulnerable is required for all the best parts of life—the best music, the deepest friendships, and even possibly for love.
Aria walks into the brewery with flawless makeup, wearing a cheetah-print maxi skirt paired with a silver sweater and burgundy boots. She followed her pre-event routine—glamsquad plus stylist visit—so not a curl will be out of place. Only she can feel the thumping of her worried heart and the damp on her palms.
Bailey snakes her arm into the crook of Aria’s. “Are we mingling first or finding the man of the hour?”
“Let’s stop by the bar first, enjoy the band, then we’ll find him.”
A bluegrass band is playing on the small stage tucked into the corner on the opposite side of the massive box of a building. The bar is outfitted with a mind-boggling number of beer taps, but for the event, a branded menu sits propped in plastic display cards on the surface. A specialty cocktail is available, as well as several wines.
A starry-eyed bartender delivers Aria a glass of red wine and a specialty cocktail for Bailey. The pair strike up a casual conversation with a few Wardens players in their vicinity, and Aria feels proud to be able to discuss the last few games in detail.
“I never would’ve taken you for a football fan,” one player tells her.
“Just a perk of being friends with Griffin,” Aria says.
His eyes go wide, and he points as if to confirm that he’s placed her reference. “That’s right.”
Eventually a few more players join their conversation, and one in particular seeks out Aria.
“Hey! I’m Elliott, wide receiver and best friend to Griffin.”
Aria smiles at his sincere use of the term “best friend.” “It’s great to meet you. I’m Aria Wilder.” She pushes out her hand and they shake.
“You seen him yet?” Elliott asks.
“Not yet. We came to the bar for a drink first, and I guess we just got carried away chatting with everyone.”
In truth, Aria hasn’t forgotten about Griffin. She’s been thinking about a smooth way to exit the group conversation and make her way over to him without it seeming awkward or rude.
“Now that you mention it, I definitely want to say hello before the evening gets away from us.”
Aria gives Bailey a friendly wave, knowing she’ll get the message, and looks to Elliott. “So nice to meet you.”
Only once she’s turned and making her way through the crowd does Aria stop and consider that perhaps she could’ve asked Elliott if he knew where she’d find Griffin. As she and Bailey had assumed, the venue is full of people, many of whom she recognizes from the music and arts scene. Aria waves and nods at folks she recognizes but stays the course through the crowd.
Through a break in the mass of people, Aria spots Griffin standing close to the band. When they break after finishing up their last song, a playlist begins to float through the speakers in its place. Aria’s pulse races as she nears him, watching him talk animatedly to a man dressed in a sport coat and checkered pants—a businessperson by the looks of him. To her luck, the man says goodbye right as she closes in, and when Griffin turns, his gaze meets her own.
“Aria.” Griffin’s face goes still.
Aria stops before him, her breathing rapid and shallow. Before she can speak, Griffin continues.
“I didn’t think you’d come.”
“Oh.”
Aria feels herself deflate. Does that meanhedidn’t want her to come? Or that he didn’t thinkshewould want to come?
