Save Me | Aaron Hotchner x Female OC

Chapter 27 - Bucket List

//A/N// Once again I apologise for being slow on the old updates - unfortunately life calls to me in ways I cannot avoid 

Thank you for all the comments, votes and support 

//x//

Elena

Fortunately, my week was so busy with preparing for the event at the museum that I didn't have time to dwell on the events that had unfolded with Aaron.

I felt like an asshole, like I was forcing him to commit to something that he wasn't ready for, and so I took a step back.

He'd text me to let me know he was on a case two days after our date, and I'd replied with a simple 'be safe'. I didn't text him for the rest of the week, and I didn't bother him. We both needed the space.

I needed the space to remind myself to stop getting so invested, to stop pining after something he wasn't ready for and unfairly expect more than he could give. And I was sure he probably just needed space from me, period.

I spent the week working every hour I could, and by the time Saturday arrived I was a bag of shot nerves. I helped the event organisers with the finishing touches, I aided the catering team in their timetables, and I liaised with each department about what was expected from them. I was essentially the assistant manager on the whole event. If things went wrong, there was a hell of a lot resting on my shoulders.

It was an adult only event, which alleviated some of my fears as working with children was not my strong suit, but other than that everything was a cause for anxiety.

I'd been sent home early on the Saturday to go and get ready, but I'd spent so long running over and over my speeches and talks that I left less time than I'd have liked to prepare myself.

That was always my problem – leaving things until the last minute. I usually lost track of time, or even forgot completely that I had something be doing. My phone was constantly dinging with reminders and alarms to remind me of my daily tasks. Sometimes I hated the way my brain worked.

I left the house and got a cab, despite the fact that I was only a short walk from work, because I was, of course, running late.

I didn't have to do much in the way of getting ready. It wasn't like it was some fancy gala that required a posh dress and high heels. I was spending my night showing history buffs around the museum, that was all, and yet my anxiety over the way I looked and the things I'd say was through the fucking roof.

I arrived at work and sprang in to action to ensure that everything was ready before the first people arrived. The two hours I'd given myself flew by, and soon enough it was 7pm and people were filing their way through the doors.

Everyone received a welcome drink, and I greeted the guests as they made their way in to the main foyer.

I was considering reaching out and swigging one of the welcome drinks for myself when I spotted a familiar dark haired head entering through the doors.

"Aaron?" I dashed over to him, tugging his arm to pull him to the side. "What are you doing here?"

"Elena," he greeted me with a smile. "Fancy seeing you here."

My damn heart was fit to burst. "How did you-"

"Dave's old army buddy is head of security here," he explained. "Said that he'd be able to squeeze one more in."

With little regard for how I was meant to be giving both me and him some space, I flung myself in to his arms. "Thank you."

He chuckled and wrapped one arm around me while the other stroked my hair. "What for, Sweetheart?"