Page 67 of Queen Rose

Nate

Aria seems very worked up, and I totally fucking get it. The minute she told me her mother wanted to go through with this party, I knew she’d have a tough week. All I can do is be here for her. The only issue is that we both know her dad—and probably her mom, too—haven’t invited me and don’t want me there. But how could I possibly tell her I won’t be there to support her? I can’t. I wouldn’t.

There are vehicles, which I assume are from a catering company, littering the roadside near the house. It actually works to my advantage because my Jeep will be far enough away that they probably won’t notice I’m here. Given the sheer amount of people working the party, I’m guessing no one has time to look outside and see that an unexpected guest has made an early arrival. I shoot her a text as I get out and walk toward the driveway.

Me:Hey, I’m here, birthday girl.

I don’t have to wait more than a few seconds before she responds.

Aria:Um, don’t come to the front door.

Aria:Can you come around back to the patio?

Me:You got it.

Because, yeah. First, we snuck Aria out. And now, we’re sneaking me in. I inhale deeply, then blow it all out as I circle around the side of the house. I head directly to the gate I’d gone through the first day I was here with Landon’s Landscaping. It seems like a lifetime ago.

And in that lifetime, I’ve fallen for Aria Warrington. Princess. Queen. Juliet.

At the back patio, I hesitate. I’m positive she doesn’t want me to knock, so I wait. A few minutes pass before Aria pokes her head out, but it’s worth the wait. Her entire face lights up when she sees me. With a finger to her lips, she beckons me to follow her. We slip through the house, unobserved by anyone except the army of employees from the catering company.

We hit the back stairs, and she reaches her hand back to take mine. Hurrying up to the second floor, we go down a different hallway from where I know her room is. Where her aunt died.

I still can’t believe her parents are crazy enough to have the party so soon after the horrific death of a family member, not to mention in the house where it happened. I shake my head. Fucking rich people, I swear. Like they couldn’t afford to cancel. They totally could have. Everyone would have understood. But appearances are important to people like this, and apparently the eighteenth birthday of their daughter isn’t to be cancelled. Not for anything. Not even murder.

Aria pushes the door open to a pretty room decorated in gray, black, and white with red accents. That’s about as much as I notice, as the girl before me is way more interesting. She closes the door behind us, then turns to me with an anxious smile. She says through her teeth, “My mother is insane. Did you know?”

It hurts me to see her like this, so I tug her to me. “Can’t wait to meet her. Or your dad.” I give a rough chuckle. I hope they keep their thoughts to themselves and let her enjoy herself.

She looks up at me. “This is the worst birthday ever. But I’m so glad you’re here.” Her eyes hold such worry, and her body is tense, like she’s waiting for shit to hit the fan already. “My mother actually noticed that I’m not handling being in the house very well.”

My brows knit together, wondering where she’s going with that. Fortunately, she doesn’t keep me waiting long.

“She told me to come up and pop a few pills from her medicine cabinet. And I quote, ‘Yellow or pink. Not the blue, or you won’t come down until next Tuesday.’ I didn’t know what to say, so I’ve mostly been hiding up here. I picked out the dress I’m supposed to wear from the choices she’s given me. And now, I wait.” A ragged sigh escapes her as she presses her forehead to my chest.

“What if I have something for you that might take your mind off of everything for a few minutes?” I grit my teeth together, nervous as hell that she won’t like what I picked out for her.

She eases back, peering up at me. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”

I shrug. “I know. But I wanted to.” Letting go of her, I reach into my back pocket and pull out a small box. “It’s not much. When I saw it, I thought of you. And I kinda thought it had meaning… to us.” My eyes meet hers, and I carefully set the box in her outstretched hands.

Aria wets her lips and looks at it for only a second before she tugs on the pretty purple ribbon holding it shut.

I swallow hard. Fuck. Maybe she’ll think it’s stupid. But when I showed Mom, she thought Aria would like it, too.

She opens the box and freezes, staring at the star-shaped pendant attached to a silver necklace.

When she doesn’t say anything, I shake my head. “It’s dumb. I’m sorry. I could take—” And I reach for it.

She jerks it away from me. “Don’t you fucking dare take my gift back, Nate King. Don’t you fucking dare.” Her voice hitches on that last word. “I love it.” She looks up at me from under her lashes. “It’s perfect.”

A smile curves my lips. “You’re perfect.” This time, I reach slowly for the necklace. “It says something on the back.” I pick the pendant up and turn it over for her to read.

“Without darkness there are no stars.” Her lip trembles. “Put it on me, please.” If I’m not mistaken, it’s taking everything in her not to cry.

“Sure.” I fumble with the tiny clasp for a second, but when I get it open, I loop the chain around her neck and secure it for her. It lies in the hollow of her throat, the words facing her, against her skin.

“Thank you.” She beams up at me, her chocolate-brown eyes sparkling. “I think it might be the most meaningful gift I’ve ever been given.”

---