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Caelon

I wake long before Selene, who sleeps peacefully on her side of the bed.

There hasn’t been a single day since her birthday that we have been apart outside of our jobs.

My nerves are through the roof as the clock winds down on the reveal of her gallery.

So many things I have left to do and I feel like there is not enough time to do them.

Padding down the hallway towards the kitchen, I start the kettle full of water for my morning cup of tea and decide to check my emails while I wait for it to boil. I almost drop my phone when I see the first email, right at the top.

Qamar, Lena: I would love to meet her!

My finger trembles as I click the email.

Dear Caelon Blackwell,

I am delighted to meet Selene. If her work is anything to go by, I can imagine she is an extraordinary woman indeed. If you could give me a call at 555-932-5783, I would love to set up a time to come meet her.

Sincerely,

Lena Qamar

“ Told you. We’re genius wingmen, ” Calix says smugly.

I can’t believe it worked. Granted, I knew that her work would catch the eye of someone, but I didn’t expect to have an almost instant reply.

I can't risk calling her while home. It would be my luck that Selene would overhear and everything would be ruined.

Stepping out the back door, I walk across my neighbor’s yard and onto the other road. Hopefully far enough away that if Selene wakes, she won’t overhear what I’m saying.

Clicking her phone number, I pull the phone to my ear. It only rings twice before an older, British accented-voice says, “Good morning, this is Lena Qamar.”

“Hello, Ms. Qamar. This is Caelon Blackwell, we spoke over email about Selene.”

“Oh, yes, dear, of course! I’m absolutely delighted to chat with you. I was rather hoping I could pop over quite soon?”

“Actually, she doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve been secretly putting together her very own gallery that is having its opening on July 31st. Would it be possible for you to attend that?”

“Oh, how absolutely delightful! I’d simply adore to attend. You can most certainly count me in on being there!”

“Thank you ma’am. This is going to mean the world to her. See you then!”

“Right then, it’s been an absolute pleasure chatting with you! I’m so looking forward to seeing you in just a few days. Do take care until then!”

I am excited but I also feel like I could shit a brick right now. It’s even more important now that the right pictures are up and everything is perfect. I can’t be the reason she doesn’t land her dream job after all this.

Checking the time on my phone as I weave back to my house, I realize that Hazel should be opening her shop soon. Giving me just enough time to get ready and meet her at Flick the Bean.

Rushing down the sidewalk, trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, I push the door open into the cafe, finding Hazel already busily brewing coffee behind the bar.

“Cal! You’re here awfully early this morning.” She wipes her hands on the towel hanging over her shoulder as she comes around the bar wrapping me in a hug.

“I know it’s early. But, I wanted to catch you before all the customers started pouring in,” I say as she lets me go.

Hazel sweeps her hand towards one of the tables next to us as she moves to sit down at it. “What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to check in with you about possibly making drinks for a secret grand opening of Selene’s gallery on the 31st. Is that something you can help me with?

“Of course!” she squeals and claps her hands together.

I swear I’m going to lose my hearing at this rate between all these squealing women.

“I have a delicious mocktail that would be absolutely perfect for the event! I can make a signature artisanal juice named ‘Moonlight & Memory’. What do you think?” Hazel eyes sparkle with excitement.

I shrug my shoulders because I don’t know a thing about artisanal juices or what would be best. “I trust your judgement. If you think it would be a good fit, then I will have to agree. Thank you for doing this.”

“Wait right here.” Hazel pushes back from the table.

She disappears through the swinging door with the same whirlwind energy she entered with, the sounds of the soft clink of glasses and the whirl of a juicer come from the back.

While I wait, I scan the cafe taking in what Hazel has done with the place.

The warm colors, soft lighting, and the open shelving along the walls.

The art she chose features mountains and beautiful flowers in bloom.

The massive chalkboard centered behind the bar features looping script and hand drawn petals, oranges, and wild lavender.

When she reappears, she’s holding a tall glass that looks like it was poured straight from the midnight sky—deep purple with silver shimmer swirling through the liquid like she captured the stars.

She sets the glass down in front of me as she slides it closer to me. “Moonlight and Memories.”

I blink at it, unsure what exactly she is serving me. I spin the glass around, watching the liquid create an entrancing view. “Is it meant to look like a spell in a cup?”

Hazel grins. “Exactly! I combined butterfly pea flower, blackberries, and lemon. Shaken gently with edible glitter and poured over crushed ice. I think it’s a perfect fit for the night. It fits the magic, nostalgia, and a hell of a lot of feelings.”

I take a sip. It tastes like memories, almost like everyone would experience something different.

I tilt the glass, letting the taste linger on my tongue. “She’ll love this. It’s perfect.”

She claps excitedly. “Then it’s yours.”