Page 22 of Royal Compromise

With a smile on my face and a newfound sense of purpose in my heart, I step out of the car and make my way inside, ready to embark on this new chapter of our journey. I know that no matter what challenges may lie ahead, as long as I have Aria by my side, everything will be okay.

As soon as I step into Aunt Martha’s house, I can’t help but give a fist pump. As excitement bubbles up inside me, I waste no time in picking up the phone to call Joe, who I suspect played a hand in setting up the reunion between Aria and me. With each ring, my anticipation grows, and I am eager to share the details of the weekend with him.

“Hey, Joe!” I greet him enthusiastically as he answers the phone. “You won’t believe how amazing the weekend was!”

Joe chuckles on the other end of the line. “You sound so excited, man. How did everything go?”

And so, I launch into a detailed account of the events of the weekend, the car ride to the venue, the moment we arrived at the hotel, and the heartfelt conversation Aria and I shared on the beach. I tell him about the unexpected reunion with Aria, the adventures we embarked upon together, and the overwhelming sense of hope and possibility that filled me as we said goodbye.

“Wow, it sounds like you had quite the weekend,” Joe remarks, sounding genuinely impressed. “I’m glad everything worked out between you and Aria.”

“Yeah, me too,” I reply, a sense of gratitude filling me as I think back on the weekend’s events. “And I know I have you and Rose to thank for it.”

There’s a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Joe responds. “Wait, what do you mean…”

I chuckle, realizing that Joe knows he’s fully aware of the role he played in orchestrating our reunion but does not want to admit it. “Well, let’s just say I have a feeling you and your bride-to-be may have had something to do with it,” I tease, unable to contain my amusement.

Joe laughs, the sound echoing through the phone. “Ah, I see. Well, I’m glad it all worked out, buddy. You deserve to be happy.”

“Thanks, Joe,” I reply sincerely, feeling a sense of warmth wash over me at his words. “I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend.”

After saying our goodbyes, I hang up the phone and take a moment to reflect on everything that has transpired. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that a simple trip to check out the hotel for the wedding would lead to Aria and I finally trying to get to know each other.

And as I settle into the guest room and the events of the weekend replay in my mind like a movie, I feel a sense of excitement for the future. Who knows if we’ll finally get back together, but one thing’s for sure: I can’t wait to find out.

The day I and Aria chose for our date finally arrives, and I’m so full of nerves. I want to impress her, but at the same time, I want to make sure she is relaxed and has a good time.

As we step out onto the streets of Sweet Haven, the air alive with the buzz small town activity, Aria and I exchange excited glances, both eager to dive into the evening ahead. “So, any ideas on where you’d like to go?” I ask, my voice filled with anticipation.

Aria’s eyes sparkle with excitement as she considers her answer. “Hmm, how about we start with dinner at that new Italian place downtown? I heard they have amazing pasta dishes.”

I nodded enthusiastically, the thought of indulging in a delicious Italian meal sounding absolutely perfect. “Sounds great to me. Let’s go check it out.”

As we make our way through the familiar streets, our conversation flows effortlessly, touching on everything from the events of the past week to the upcoming wedding. With each word exchanged, the connection between us grows stronger, weaving a tapestry of shared experiences and shared laughter that binds us together.

When we arrive at the restaurant, the aroma of garlic and herbs wafts through the air, tantalizing our senses and setting our mouths watering in anticipation. We settle into a cozy corner booth, the soft glow of candlelight casting a warm ambiance over the space as we peruse the menu.

“Everything looks so delicious,” Aria remarks, her eyes scanning the options with a mixture of excitement and indecision. “I don’t know how I’m going to choose.”

I chuckle softly, reaching across the table to take her hand in mine. “Don’t worry, whatever you pick will be amazing. And hey, we can always come back another time and try something else.”

Aria smiles back at me, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. “You’re right. Thank you, Cade.”

As we wait for our food to arrive, our conversation continues to flow, touching on everything from our favorite movies to our most embarrassing moments. With each passing minute, I find myself falling more and more in love with Aria, captivated by the way her eyes light up when she talks about the things she’s passionate about, especially her bakery.

When our food finally arrives, we dive in with gusto, savoring each bite of pasta and sipping on glasses of wine as we continue to talk and laugh. The hours pass by in a blur of laughter and conversation, and before we know it, it’s time to move on to the next part of our evening.

As we step out onto the bustling city streets once again, the night alive with the promise of adventure, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling up inside me. With Aria by my side, I feel so alive, and I can’t wait to see where the rest of the evening will take us.

Our next stop is a rooftop bar with stunning views of our hometown, and as we settle into a comfortable modular sofa, I can’t help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. The music pulses through the air, the chatter of other patrons blending into a soothing background hum as we talk and laugh into the night.

“So, tell me,” Aria begins, her voice soft and melodic. “What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance to?”

I pause for a moment, considering her question carefully. “Well, there’s this hiking trail up in the mountains that I’ve always wanted to explore,” I reply, a hint of excitement creeping into my voice. “I’ve heard the views are absolutely breathtaking.”

Aria’s eyes light up with excitement, her face breaking into a wide grin. “That sounds amazing! We should make plans to go together sometime.”

I nod enthusiastically, the thought of exploring the great outdoors with Aria by my side filling me with a sense of adventure. “I’d love that,” I reply, reaching across the table to take her hand in mine. “And hey, maybe we can even plan a weekend getaway together.”

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