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Nyx:Okay, I’ll leave it to you.
Ash:Seriously, Nyx… are you okay?
I wait for her reply, and just as I’ve decided she’s going to ignore me, she responds.
Nyx:I went through a bad breakup recently and I’m not really myself right now. I’ll be okay. This case gives me something to focus on.
My thoughts immediately turn to Aria. Was Nyx in the same state Aria was in? I can’t imagine a woman like Nyx crying over any man, considering how amazing she is. But then again, Aria did, and she’s no less wonderful.
I try my hardest to think of something to say that might make her feel better, but I come up empty. In the end, I decide to throw a lame, flirty line at her, hoping it might at least make her smile.
Ash:All I’m reading is that the illustrious Nyx is single. So I’ve got a shot, huh? I’d better bring my A-game. I’ll win you over.
Nyx:Shot? The only shots involved are me shooting you down.
I smirk. That’s more like my Nyx.
Ash:Nyx, do you happen to have a Band-Aid? ‘Cause I scraped my knees falling for you.
Ash:Hey, Nyx? I’d like to take you to the movies, but they don’t let you bring in your own snacks.
Nyx: …Where are you getting these from? I can’t decide if they’re awful or cute.
Ash:Cute, of course. Google taught me.
Nyx:*face palms* Of course you googled your pick-up lines. I knew you had zero game.
I grin, enjoying our exchange. She sounds far more like herself now, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. When did I even start to care about her so much?
Ash:But did I make you smile?
Nyx:Maybe…
Ash:That’s all I wanted.
I put my phone away, trying my hardest to focus on my work. I’ve already fallen behind on everything that needs to be done.
I have no idea how long I’ve been working when my concentration is broken by a flash of yellow in my peripheral vision. I look up to find Aria handing me a bright yellow mug filled with peppermint tea. I take it gratefully and smile at her.
These kind gestures of hers always throw me off. I’m not used to anyone doing stuff like this for me, or even remembering which tea I like.
“Morning,” she murmurs. “How long have you been up?”
I stare at her, taking in her bloodshot eyes. “Not as long as you,” I say, my voice soft.
Aria grimaces and raises her hand to her face, her finger tracing over the bags underneath her eyes, and I instantly feel awful.
“I… I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant that you look tired and I assumed you didn’t sleep well. You’re always beautiful, Aria. Always.”
Her cheeks redden and she looks away, her lips tipped up ever so slightly. “That’s a lot of words so early in the morning. Note to self: bribe Gray with tea and he might speak.”
I chuckle as she sits down next to me. “I always speak to you, Ari. Yet somehow you’re convinced I don’t.”
She leans in to glance at my screen, before looking up, her hair brushing against my chin. “I guess I just remember the way you were when I first met you,” she says, her voice soft. “You guarded your words like they were your greatest treasure, and I made it my mission to uncover your thoughts, to make you voice them.”
I look into her eyes, mesmerized by the specks of gold mixed in with the brown. How have I never noticed how unique her eyes are? She’s so close, and it makes me strangely nervous. She smells like freaking cupcakes or something. Is it vanilla? I don’t know, but she smells far too good.
“I’m no longer the guy you met over a decade ago, Aria.”
