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The reception followed, though no one was really into it anymore. Olivia and Scott’s special day was ruined because some crazy, resurrected sorcerer wanted me to be on his team. To help out with the reception, I joined Elsie behind the tables as we kept things filled and cleared. It didn’t last long, an hour or two at most, and I thought I was fine as far as Aiden was concerned.
I was wrong.
A throat cleared from behind me as I stood with my back to the crowd, chatting with Elsie. Bouncing around, I stopped when I saw Aiden on the other side of the table.
“Sadie,” he said, holding up both shoes. “Did you lose something?”
Looking down, I sounded surprised when I gazed back up at him. “My shoes! How did you get them?”
He chuckled. “Come with me?”
Biting my lip, I gave Elsie a worried glimpse before nodding. “Sure.”
Making my way around and over to him, I smiled awkwardly. “Where we going?”
“This way,” he said. He led me outside, where a few people sat and chatted, but mostly it was empty. He handed over the shoes and I slipped them on.
“How did your shoes get over by the house when you were up there with the wedding party?” he quizzed.
“I kicked them off, didn’t you see?” I asked. I hoped he saw through my lies and asked more questions.
Please remember, Aiden.
“No, you didn’t,” he said, shaking his head. “I was watching you.”
“You were watching me?” I inquired. Hope soared in me, my heart fluttering in response.
“I,” he said shyly. “Yeah.”
Smiling, I lowered my head.
“You look really pretty,” he whispered. “Why did you kiss me?”
Peering into his eyes, I lost my ability to breathe. And speak.
“Sadie?” he asked after I failed to answer.
“Oh,” I said, shaking myself out of my Aiden trance. “I…don’t know,” I lied. “You reminded me of someone.”
He grinned. “Will I remind you of him again?” he said flirtatiously.
“Maybe,” I flirted back.
“Sadie!” Juniper called from the doorway. “Bouquet toss!”
“I don’t want it,” I called back.
Aiden took my hand, his touch thrilling me. “I won’t forget the shoes, Sadie, but if you want to keep your secrets, I’ll play along. For now.” He pulled it to his lips and left a lingering kiss on my fingers. Dropping it, he strolled inside while I watched him, fighting to make my lungs work properly.
“Sadie!” Juniper was running toward me. “What happened?”
“I forgot my damned shoes and Aiden found them,” I hissed. “I didn’t say anything, but didn’t deny, either.”
“Do you think he remembers anything?” she asked, directing her eyes back to the reception inside.
I shook my head. “No, not yet.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know this has to be hard. I don’t know what I’d do if Mark didn’t know who I was.”
“It sucks,” I conceded. “A lot.
“I guess so!” she exclaimed. “He’s going to be staying at Anna’s house with you.”
“For how long?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
“The boys talked him into staying for a month,” she said cautiously.
“I’m only staying another week or so,” I lied. I couldn’t knowingly leave here with Aiden not remembering me.
“Sadie,” Santos called, pulling me from my freak out.
Looking to him, I noticed a tall man standing with him, their hands interlocked. Must be Jackson.
“Santos,” I said, holding up a finger to signal it’d be a second. Directing my attention back to Juniper, I said, “We’ll talk later.”
She nodded and waltzed back inside. Strolling over to Santos, I smiled brightly.
“Sis, this is Jackson,” he introduced.
Jackson held out his hand. Taking it, I said, “Nice to meet you, Jackson. I’ve heard about you.”
“And I you,” he chuckled. “Santos was always raving about this extremely magical sister he had, but she never came. I was beginning to think he imagined you.” He bumped into Santos to let him know he was kidding, and they stared at each other adoringly.
“I’m real,” I laughed. “I was away for a bit.”
“I’m really glad to finally get to meet you.” He grinned. “Santos means a lot to me.”
“I can tell and I’m happy for you both.”
They grinned at me. Santos leaned in so only we could hear him. “Did I see Aiden with your shoes?”
Closing my eyes, I threw my head back and groaned. “Yes!”
Jackson raised a brow in confusion.
“I kicked them off when I was chasing that water fae and forgot. He knows something was up,” I explained. Since Jackson wasn’t asking questions, I assumed Santos filled him on everything.
“Do you think…?” Santos asked.
I shook my head, anticipating his question. “He didn’t seem to.”
“I saw him kiss your hand,” he pointed out, grinning mischievously.
Heat crept up my face and I cursed myself for allowing Aiden to make me blush with just a mention of him. “Yeah.”
“She’s blushing,” Jackson giggled. “She must really like him.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Santos started. “She was fifteen when they first met, and you should have seen them tiptoeing around each other. They had it so bad.”
Growling, I stepped closer. “Shut up.”
They laughed loudly and Jackson said, “She’s a feisty one.”
Santos rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”
Furrowing my brow, I glared at him.
“We should go finish this up so we can talk about our new problem,” Santos sighed. He gave me a stern, older brother look. “You should have told me.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he said. “You’re my baby sister. I could have protected you.”
I snorted. “Protected me? I can take care of myself.”
“Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” he said softly. “I know you’re stubborn and are stronger than any of us, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone have your back. We have your back, Sadie.”
Swallowing hard, I nodded. “I know.”
“Aiden is staying at Grandma’s with me. Are you coming there or staying here?”
“I’m not staying here,” I briskly replied. “Dad’s mad.”
“He missed you.”
I shifted my weight and picked at the invisible lint on my dress. “I know, but I don’t owe anyone any explanation. I’m an adult.”
“You are,” he agreed. “He doesn’t mean it maliciously.”
I didn’t reply. As a few cars started up, I lifted my head. “Is it over?”
“I think it’s getting there. Let’s go in,” Santos suggested.
We all trekked in together. I came in last, taking my time in hopes I wouldn’t have to encounter small talk with anyone. The few remaining guests were chatting with the bride and groom, wishing them well and giving advice they probably didn’t want. Hanging back in the kitchen, I hopped up on the counter and signaled Elsie.
“You could help me clean,” she scolded.
With a smirk, I said, “I will when they all leave.”
She understood what I meant and hopped up beside me. “So, who were those people?”
I shook my head. “I wish I knew.”
“Some were unbound.”
“Yeah, it worries me,” I admitted.
“I’ve never heard of a Bram,” she pondered.
“He’s been dead,” I hissed. “Some dark sorcerers resurrected him.”
Her eyes grew large. “Holy shit.”
“Indeed,” I nodded. “Grandma doesn’t even know much about him.”
“This should be fun,” she remarked sarca
stically.
“Loads.”
Once everyone was gone except for Aiden, who was assisting Mark with something outside, I squinted my eyes and kicked my leg, sending powerful energy around the room to clean it spotless. “All done!”
Elsie giggled and thanked me before hopping down and going to find Kyle.
“How’d you do that?” he said from behind me.
I turned to see Aiden standing in the open door.
Scornful Sadie Page 16