Valerian

🌸 Evolet 🌸

Drinking before an event is a fine line to walk. Just enough to soothe the anxiety and sober enough you don't end up sick in the bathroom. I'll admit, it's a line I don't often walk well, especially tonight. It's the first major event I'm attending without Adam.

Adam isn't attending the engagement party which is a relief because I don't know how to act around him. We said we would be friends but who is really friends with their ex, especially one they wanted to marry.

I inhale a deep breath to calm my erratic beating heart, but it doesn't soothe the nerves or the bubbling anxiety brewing in the pit of my stomach. I don't want to answer people's questions about the breakup; I just want to forget about it.

Unfortunately, that'll never happen, especially with Clya's current opinion. I can't spend the entire night standing outside, I'm a big girl, I can do this.

I push the door open and wander into the winery which is covered with hundreds of white roses and vintage decorations. There's a good turnout of people which doesn't do anything for my anxiety.

Reagan waves as she excuses herself from a conversation. She yanks me into a hug and I squeeze her back.

"Congratulations! I love what you've done with the place, it's very beautiful."

"Thank you, Evolet."

"No worries." I smile.

"How have you been? We haven't spoken since Adam and I feel terrible."

"Don't stress about it, you've been busy with your engagement party."

"So how are you, though?" Her brown eyes shimmer with sadness.

"I'm great." I tug on a smile.

"Evolet." She frowns.

Somebody calls her name and she groans.

"We need to organise a proper catch-up soon."

"Sure." I nod.

Reagan reluctantly leaves to greet the guest who just arrived. I take this opportunity to escape to the bar because I'm too sober for this kind of discussion.

I rest against the wooden bar and wait for the bartender. I glance to the side and gasp as the man places his hand on the bar top. The chunky watch almost hides the lion tattoo, but I'd recognise that tattoo anywhere.

"Hey, Caelum."

"We need to stop meeting at bars." He laughs.

For a man I hardly know, I feel more comfortable now that he's here.

"Are you here for the bride or groom?"

"Groom, how about yourself?"

"I went to school with Reagan." I smile. "How do you know Bradly?"

"We work together."

"Oh, nice." I nod.

The bartender appears in front of us and Caelum turns to me.

"What are you having?"

"Champagne, please."

"For you?" The bartender looks at Caelum.

"Whatever beer you have on tap."

He grabs a bottle out of the fridge while I turn to Caelum. He's devilishly handsome in his black suit and blue tie, which almost matches his eye colour. The way the fabric clings to his muscular frame has me clutching the bar.

"Hi Evolet, I suppose you and Adam will be next." Grace appears next to us, but her gaze lingers on Caelum. She licks her pink lips and innocently smiles. Caelum looks her up and down, then turns around to face the bar. Her bottom lip drops and I try not to laugh.

Grace moves to the other side of the bar and glances at us while talking to another girl. I tap my fingers against the bar and search for the progress of our drinks. The bartender places two glasses on the bench and smiles.

"Thanks."

I drink at least half of the bitter champagne before escaping to the other side of the party. We sit on a plush leather couch and Caelum looks at me.

"Adam's my ex."

"Was the breakup recent?"

"It happened a couple of months ago, but we dated for a couple of years."

"How serious was the relationship?"

"Serious."

"How come you broke up?"

I drag my gaze away from his intense stare to look at the champagne flute. I twirl the stem between my fingers and take a deep breath.

"It was a mixture of things, most of it was about me. Adam was a great guy, he treated me well, but I got lost in our relationship. I didn't know who I was and I knew I definitely didn't want to become Mrs. Adam Beckett. I wasn't ready to be a housewife."

"Hm." I peek to the side, only to catch him frowning.

I finish the remainder of the drink and place the glass on a side table.

"How did your ex handle the breakup?"

"We agreed it was the right decision for us, we haven't spoken since though. Our families seem more upset than we do."

"So it's your sister I should be worried about?" His chuckle has my muscles relaxing.

"Clya is very team Adam unfortunately."

"She's just looking out for you."

"I know but I wish she'd realised that I'm happier without Adam. I love him and I think some part of me will always love him but it wasn't supposed to be."

Caelum takes a sip of his beer and reclines into the chair.

"Do you see yourself returning to Adam?"

"No," I quickly say.

"Okay." He nods.

"I'm sorry about dumping this all on you, it's not how I thought our night would go."

Caelum shrugs and subtly grins.

"I'm just happy you're here tonight."

"You never messaged me after our coffee date."

Caelum combes his fingers through his hair and sheepishly smiles.

"Solis told me to wait a couple of days, then I panicked and thought it was too long. You never messaged me either, so I didn't message. I can tell you all about plants but I have no clue on speaking to women, especially very pretty ones."

I weave my fingers together and smile.

"Well, I promise to message you tomorrow."

"Same here." He smiles.

"Who's Solis? You should tell him he gave you bad advice." I laugh.

"He's supposed to be my wiser, older brother."

"Oh."

"Also my annoying roommate."

"I love living alone, no mess. I just can't seem to do this garden thing, though. Adam took all the gardening equipment, not that I even knew how to use the lawnmower."

"Do you still want help?"

"I would love some help, the yard looks horrible."

"I'm free next weekend."

"All weekend, cause it might take that long." I bite my lip.

"If that's what it takes." He smiles.

His phone pings and Caelum takes it out of his pocket. He frowns and quickly taps on the screen and shoves it back into his pocket.

"I'm sorry, but I have somewhere else to be."

"Oh, it's okay."

"I'll hopefully see you next weekend. I'll be sure to message you tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the rest of your night."

"Same to you."

We awkwardly stare at each other, until Caelum leaves the party. I look around the room and sigh, I think I'll leave too.

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