Aeri lay sprawled on the couch, her blue mini dress hugging her curves, the front knot pulling the fabric tight across her chest.
A pillow was clutched against her with one hand, her other holding the phone to her ear as she talked to Sara, her childhood best friend.
"So, how's it going?" Aeri asked, a small smile tugging at her lips as she stared at the ceiling, the pillow a comforting weight on her chest. "How's the first two days of married life treating you?"
"It's FUNNNN!" Sara's voice exploded through the phone, so enthusiastic Aeri had to pull it away from her ear for a second, wincing at the volu. "Girl, you have no idea!"
Aeri chuckled, shifting to prop herself up on one elbow, her smile growing despite the ache in her chest. "Seriously? Spill it, what's got you so hyped?"
"Yes, Aeri!" Sara said, her voice bubbling with excitent. "You won't believe it—we're out every day, hitting up new places, eating all kinds of new food. Yesterday it was this cute little taco stand by the pier, and today we found this amazing sushi spot. It's like a food adventure!"
"Aww, that's so good," Aeri said, her voice softening as she hugged the pillow tighter. "Sounds like he's keeping up with your crazy energy."
"For now, yeah," Sara said, and Aeri could practically hear her grinning. "He's matching my vibe, but if he doesn't keep up, I'll just beat him into it." Her tone turned playfully fierce, full of that bossy confidence Aeri had always loved.
Aeri laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, I believe it. Poor guy doesn't stand a chance."
"Damn right," Sara said, her laugh bright and infectious. "So, where are you right now? What's the vibe?"
Aeri sighed, her smile fading as she glanced around the ssy apartnt—empty coffee mugs, scattered bills, the quiet hum of the city outside. "At ho," she said, her voice quieter now. "Just lying on the couch, doing nothing."
"Ugh, that sounds boring," Sara teased, her tone light but probing. "You need to get out, girl. Find a boyfriend or soone to have fun with. Or, you know… maybe do it with Ezra." Her voice turned mischievous, and Aeri could picture the sly grin on her face.
Aeri's cheeks flushed pink, her heart skipping as mories of her and Ezra flooded back—the amusent park, their laughter, the stolen kisses in the restaurant bathroom, the heat of their night by her apartnt window.
Sara didn't know about any of it, and the sudden ntion of Ezra hit like a jolt. "Oye, stop it, you idiot," Aeri said, her voice flustered as she sat up, clutching the pillow tighter. "He's my son."
"Step," Sara corrected, her tone dripping with teasing. "Step-son, Aeri. You guys don't share blood, and let's be real—it's pretty obvious he's got the hots for you."
Aeri's face burned, and she buried it in the pillow for a mont, her voice muffled as she groaned.
"Oh, co on," she said, brushing it off, but her heart raced. She could still feel Ezra's touch, the way he'd looked at her, the way she'd let herself get lost in him before pushing him away. "It's not like that."
"Uh-huh, sure," Sara said, clearly unconvinced, her voice playful. "You should see where it goes, girl. Live a little. He's crazy about you, and you know it."
Aeri forced a laugh, trying to shake off the heat in her cheeks. "Yeah, yeah, I'll think about it. Don't worry about ."
"Good, good," Sara said, her tone bright again.
"So, where are you?" Aeri asked, a teasing lilt in her voice. "What's Miss Always-Happy Sara up to now?"
Sara's laugh burst through the phone, bright and unrestrained. "Oh, we're chilling in a hotel right now," she said, her voice brimming with excitent. "We drove out to see this amazing aquarium in the next state over. You should see it, Aeri—sharks, jellyfish, the works!"
Aeri smiled, her grip on the pillow loosening slightly. "I see. Sounds like you're having a blast. Enjoy it, girl. Live it up."
"Yes, yes, we are—" Sara started, her voice as bubbly as ever, but it slowed, softening as a new sound ca through the line—a man's voice, low and warm.
"Hey, sweetheart," Daniel, Sara's new husband, said, his tone playful. "Who're you talking to?" Aeri could hear the faint rustle of movent, picturing him wrapping his arms around Sara from behind.
"It's Aeri," Sara said, her voice tinged with a giggle. "Wait, we're on a call."
"Then stay on the call," Daniel said, his voice dropping to a sultry whisper that Aeri could just make out. "I'm not stopping you, but let love my wife a little." There was a teasing edge to his words, and Aeri's cheeks flushed slightly, sensing the intimacy unfolding on the other end.
"Sit against the bed and talk," Daniel said, his voice coaxing, followed by the faint creak of a bed.
"Ehehe, you idiot," Sara said, her giggle light and playful as she clearly obeyed, the sound of her settling against the headboard coming through the phone.
A mont later, Daniel's voice returned, low and teasing. "You're wearing my favorite panties today, huh, baby?" he said, followed by a deep inhale, like he was savoring her scent, his face probably nestled between her legs.
Aeri's eyes widened, her face heating up as she caught the hint of what was happening.
"Y-yes… Aeri, what was I saying?" Sara said, her voice catching with a soft moan, trying to keep the conversation going despite the obvious distraction.
Aeri laughed, shaking her head as she pulled her knees closer, the pillow still hugged tight.
"Yeah, I an, you should enjoy," she said, her voice teasing but warm. "Sounds like you're definitely enjoying."
Sara laughed too, the sound bright but a little breathless. "Oh, shut up," she said, her tone playful despite the faint moan lingering in her voice. "You know what I an. But seriously, Aeri, you gotta get out and have so fun too. Don't just mope around."
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