18. Gave Her Hope

18

GAVE HER HOPE

A lmost a month later, Raine was excited to go to the Blossoms' Christmas party.

She felt things were going well with her and Aster. They had fun and tried to do different things, but with the cooler weather and shorter daylight, it was hard to find things to do outside of going to eat or cooking.

Then she had to remind herself, she didn't need to cram it all into her life right away because she didn't get to experience the world of dating when she was younger.

She didn't regret that really, but she felt she missed out too.

And maybe that was part of her problem before. That those she dated didn't always want to do the same as her because they'd already experienced it.

"I'm glad you could come tonight," Aster said.

"I wouldn't have missed it," she said. "I'm thrilled you asked me. I bet you're not a party person, are you?"

"Not really," he said turning to look at her. They were in his truck and almost at Mona's now for the party held in the back of the restaurant.

She'd asked Ivy how to dress because Aster was clueless. He said he was wearing dark jeans and a button-down shirt. He didn't even own a tie and his dress pants probably didn't fit him anymore.

Raine thought that was funny. Ivy said to dress festive, but it wasn't fancy.

That made it easier for her when Aster only scratched his head.

So she pulled out dark gray trousers with a pair of black heels that she rarely wore because there was no way she was chasing kids around the room in them, but she put on an emerald green fitted sweater that had some sparkles on the cuff.

He parked and they got out. "There are a lot of cars here," Raine said. "Ivy told me most of the staff come and it's just getting bigger and bigger each year."

"I saw that at the summer picnic," he said. "I wonder if they will continue to do this as they might run out of room."

"Ivy said the same thing. That the summer party they've got more places they can hold it, but this is growing so much. Or they could still have it here, but then it could be indoors and out."

"Guess we'll enjoy it while we can. Zane said the summer picnic was a first."

They got to the front door and he held it open for her. "Have you been here before?"

"A few times," she said. "Last year we came around this time with my family and Brooks made a total mess out of things with Ivy. That was the first time I'd seen her. She'd been at the party in the back and came out to get a drink."

She'd told Aster a tiny bit about Brooks and Ivy's history because she was positive he might hear things and, though her brother wasn't perfect by any means, she didn't want Brooks judged either.

Not that she thought Aster would do that.

"Hopefully your brother doesn't make a mess of things tonight," he said.

"I doubt that can happen."

When they got to the back, Aster waved to Zane, who came over quickly. "Hi," Zane said. "I know we haven't met officially."

"No," she said. "But I've seen pictures of you. I asked Aster to show me some from when he was in the service."

She had a wet panty moment over that and was thrilled Aster didn't notice nor been upset remembering the career he didn't have anymore.

"It's nice to meet you," Zane said. "I know your brother is here, but I figured Aster would be more comfortable with me and Luke tonight."

"Yes," Aster said. "But if Raine wants to go by Ivy and Brooks, it's fine."

"We can sit with your friends," she said. "I'm used to talking to people I don't know all the time. And I've met Lily before at school events. She introduced herself to me."

She found that sweet that Lily had sought her out last year and said she was Ivy's boss and had heard about her. She knew that Lily and Ivy were close, but Poppy and Ivy were closer.

"We are over here," Zane said, moving to the right.

"Hi, everyone," Aster said. "This is Raine Scarsdale. Luke Remington, and his wife, Heather. You know Lily and Zane. Daisy Jones, and I'm assuming, Theo?"

"Yes, Theo James," Daisy said. "And we are hoping we can get through the night without him being called in. We aren't sitting here though. We are over there with Rose and some of the others in the department. But I needed to come see my ex-roomie."

Raine knew there were a lot of close relationships at Blossoms. Something else she missed. All her close friends had other lives now. One that she was starting to get.

She still did things with other teachers once in a while, but that wasn't the same. They ended up talking about work half the time.

Daisy and Theo got up and moved away after she shook hands with them. She took a seat, and before she could start talking to anyone, Ivy was rushing over and pulling Brooks with her.

"Thought you might want to see your brother and all," Ivy said. "Now everyone can see you're totally different."

"We are," she said, grinning at her brother. "Hard to believe we were raised by the same parents. He got away with a lot more than me. Not fair either."

"Boys always get away with more than girls," Brooks said. "Right, Zane? You've got a daughter."

"Two daughters," Zane said. "One has me wrapped around her little finger and knows who to go to for what, but I lay the law down when it comes to some things."

Lily smiled. "He thinks I don't know what it's like to be a girl or something and have some guy hitting on me or looking for all the wrong things. But I do let him be the bad guy for those things."

"Someone always has to be the bad guy," Raine said. "Or the bad child in the family. Normally it was Brooks."

Her brother grinned at her. "Hey, like you said. It has to be someone. Why not me?"

"We need to go back to my sisters' table," Ivy said, pulling her brother back over.

It did her heart good to see Brooks so happy in his life.

"Can I get you a drink?" Aster asked. "I need a beer."

"How about a glass of white wine?" she said. "A chardonnay is good and if they don't have that then a pinot grigio."

"You want me to ask for that?" he asked with a pained look on his face.

Her smile fell. "I'll come with you," she said. "I didn't think about that."

He laughed at her. Truly laughed. "I was kidding. I can get it."

"Did Aster just crack a joke?" Lily asked when Zane walked out to the bar with Luke to get all the drinks.

"It seemed it," Raine said. "Does he not do that at work?" She'd been thrilled he was kidding with her and was doing it more. It's just he wasn't always so good at it that she knew all the time...like tonight.

"Not that I've seen," Lily said. "But Zane has said that Aster is different with the guys than at work."

"I hate that for him but understand too," she said. It was common for people to not let their guard down with everyone. She was a good example.

"Luke is the same way," Heather said. "Though most times he's got a smile on his face and joking, but he's a bit more reserved around those not close to us."

"I think it might do Aster good to be with some of his old squad, even if Zane and Luke have been out for a few years. I worry he misses it."

Lily and Heather looked at each other. She knew Luke and Zane were very close and that Aster fell into that group too. But Aster had said before that he wasn't as close to Zane as they hadn't worked together as long. Luke was with Aster longer but still not the same.

She wondered if Aster ever got close to anyone.

They'd been dating for two months now and yet she still hadn't told him how she felt.

It was hard to keep it back and Raine didn't think she was going to be able to much longer either.

She just had to accept the fact that he might not feel the same way, but it shouldn't stop her from saying it.

The guys returned with their drinks and everyone was just mingling. Plenty had come to the table and back. No one was sitting around much until dinner was served. There was a DJ playing music in the background, but she'd been told there'd be dancing afterward.

"Hi, Laurel," Lily said. "I'm so glad you could make it."

She turned her head to see a woman come to the table. There was one lone chair that she thought was odd, but when the woman sat down, it made more sense.

"Me too," Laurel said. "I just hope everyone understands if I don't remember their names."

"Don't worry about it," Lily said. "You've only been here a few days getting situated and haven't started. But you know Aster."

"Nice to see you again," Aster said.

She didn't know what this was about or why her boyfriend would know the woman who came in. Someone that was an employee and very good-looking. Came here single too.

"How do you two know each other?" she asked.

"Laurel, this is my girlfriend, Raine," Aster said. "I interviewed Laurel after Lily, Poppy and Rose had it narrowed down to the final candidates. Laurel is going to be overseeing operations so she and I will work together on things when machines are down or there are issues in the building."

"Ahh," she said. "I thought she was someone in the service with you and Luke and Zane for a minute."

"No," Laurel said. She was pretty. Looked young but might be early thirties. Raine knew she looked younger than she was too. "I'm not sure I could do one pull-up let alone walk through one of those training courses. Not to mention, I might break a nail."

She looked at Laurel's nails. They were manicured but not fancy over the top long and sparkly. Not even fake. They just looked like natural nails but well maintained.

Raine had given up on those things years ago. You couldn't have anything fancy when you were rounding up a herd of six-year-olds.

"You're going to have to be plenty tough in the plant," Heather said. "But I'm sure you can handle it. Lily, Poppy, and Rose would have never hired you if you couldn't."

"Thanks," Laurel said.

"Looks like dinner is coming out," Lily said. "I'm starving."

Raine sat through dinner and conversation and had a ball. It'd been so long since she'd been out like this and realized why Ivy loved her job so much.

She even got to see a much more relaxed side to her boyfriend and had to admit she was slightly jealous over that too. She wished he was that open and laid back more with her like he was talking with Luke and Zane. But at least it gave her hope he could be.