by Claire Adams
“That’s not going to happen. I’m not ready for that. But I will go. I could use a decent meal, and he’s good company.” Not to mention he was pretty to look at.
Bre and I said our goodbyes, and as soon as I returned my phone to my locker, I headed back to work and to find Rob.
He was around the corner at the X-ray lab, so I walked up next to him where the technician was out of earshot and gave him a nod. “I’ll see you then?” I lifted a brow, and he glanced over to the tech and gave me a wink.
As I walked away, a heavy weight was lifted from me. I’d taken the next step to moving on and as quick as it came, that wave of relief was replaced with sadness. It wasn’t going to be that easy to move on.
I imagined Bre in that bar talking to Aiden and could see those hard eyes glaring at her. At least she’d tried, and now I knew that while he was not happy with the situation, he was sticking to his guns.
By the end of the day, I was weary with worry over my dinner date. I had a change of clothes in my car that I kept for just such occasions, and I was able to use the shower and get myself cleaned up and smelling nice before it was time to meet Rob.
He texted me and asked that I meet him in the parking garage and I waited in my car until my friends, who had insisted on walking me out, left the lot. Then I got out of my car and went down to the doctor’s reserved area where Rob was waiting beside his car. It was no Shelby, but his decked out Land Rover was nothing to sneeze at. Aiden’s mother had a car like this, but hers wasn’t equipped with as many bells and whistles and hadn’t seen the road in over a year.
I tried to put her and Aiden out of my mind as I approached. “You look nice.” It was the first time I had seen him without his white coat or in his scrubs. This was a much nicer picture of him. He had a crisp button down with slacks that showed off his lean, muscular frame. He straightened his cuffs and opened my door.
“You look beautiful. I wasn’t sure if you’d need to go home to change. But I see you’re a lady who is prepared for anything.”
I lifted myself into the seat, and he closed me inside. I took a deep breath as he walked around the car and hoped for a nice time. I couldn’t get Aiden out of the back of my mind, but maybe I could push through. Rob was a wonderful man, serious about his work, and a true gentleman.
He drove me out to the shore to a lovely restaurant overlooking the water with a charming ambiance that seemed to compliment my mood only because it was quiet. I needed a bit of silence with all that was churning in my brain.
Rob leaned across the table after the waiter left and placed his hand on my arm. “You’d think we were in a library, it’s so quiet here.” The hushed voices of the other patrons were just as soft as his, and I smiled even though all I could think was that he was touching me. Would Aiden even care?
“Yeah, it’s like everyone has a secret.”
“Well, you’re in much better spirits, so that’s good to see. I was worried about you for a while there. You weren’t yourself. I’m still not sure you’re back a hundred percent.” He gave me a knowing smile, and I waved it off.
“Yeah, the lawsuit settled and with that over, I can move on.”
“I’m sorry I had to send you home the other day, Lexa. It’s just, even though I like you, I can’t let those emotions get in the way with my responsibility.”
“Think no more of it. I understand. It was totally unprofessional of me, and I’m much better now. I mean, there’s still a sting, but nothing to keep me from being focused. I won’t be turning over any carts anytime soon.” I rolled my eyes and looked away.
I was a fool to think I’d be able to get Aiden off of my mind. The whole time I talked about being reprimanded at work, I couldn’t help thinking how I’d met Aiden. I got quiet and stared down at my plate when my food was brought. How could I eat and have a good time when my heart was breaking inside? I smiled and nodded a lot and spoke when needed.
I was on my game when it came to faking things, but I still hadn’t touched my food ten minutes after its arrival.
“Is there something wrong with your food?” Rob gestured to my plate, and I took a deep breath and shook my head.
“Not at all.” I took a hearty sip of wine and a bite of my shrimp linguini. I couldn’t start falling apart now, especially when I’d tried so hard to put up a front.
“I was going to bring you to Soto’s, but I didn’t think you’d like it as much.” I remembered Aiden mentioning Soto’s and how he’d like to take my parents and me so he could meet them.
The idea of us having a nice family dinner had been a dream, one that would never come true, but I remember thinking how wonderful it would have been for us to have all sat down together as if the lawsuit had never happened. As if the accident had never happened, too. I wondered what Shawn and Allison would think of this mess. If we’d met through them instead of the way it had all turned out, would it be any different? Would we be together?
“I’ve heard of Soto’s. Aiden wanted to take me.” I don’t know why I mentioned his name but when I did, Rob’s expression fell, and then he recovered with a polite smile.
“You’re thinking of him, aren’t you?” His smile was a bit melancholy, and I felt another wave of guilt wash over me. I shouldn’t be leading him on.
“I can’t help it. Open wounds bleed, as you well know.” I twirled my noodles on my fork and took another sip of wine.
“Still fresh, then? I didn’t realize that was what was going on. I figured it was the settlement. I heard that your family didn’t get what they were asking. It was on the news, actually.” I was sure he added that last part so I wouldn’t wonder if he’d heard it through the gossip channel at work.
“Yeah, well, let’s not ruin a nice dinner going into details.”
“Agreed, but it’s not like we’re dining alone. I understand, you know. I had a tough relationship once, and I wasn’t ready to move on for a while. I’ll make a deal with you, though. When and if you’re ever ready to, you’ll let me know.” He patted my hand across the table and then took another bite.
“Deal.” I lifted my glass of wine, and he put down his fork, and we toasted. I felt a little off, but I was determined to enjoy the rest of our meal and our friendship.
“You know, I’m glad we did this.” He took another sip of wine. “It’s not often I get to sit down and eat unless I’m in the car. You know the last three meals I had I was standing up at the counter at my house.” We shared a laugh, and I knew exactly what he meant. There were times that even as a nurse I got too busy to eat and had a little sleep. It was nice talking to someone who I had something in common with.
We shared more of our quiet conversation about work, and in the end, he drove me back to my car, and we ended the night with a friendly hug. I pulled away from that embrace knowing there was only one man for me.
I got in my car and glanced down at my phone. I hadn’t pulled it out during dinner because I thought that was the tackiest thing anyone could do and I didn’t want to make Rob feel worse about how things were going.
As the screen illuminated, I saw that Aiden had tried to call and my heart skipped a beat.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Aiden
There was one thing about me: I could sleep anywhere. As a boy, my mother would find me in a random place, under a table, behind the couch, and even up under my bed. Mom would do her best to throw a blanket over me, but she never bothered to move me.
As I felt the heavy blanket fall across my arms, I imagined her there with me again, but then the reality of her being gone hit and I opened my eyes. Shoes. Not just any shoes, but the strappy heels I’d seen Lexa wear on more than one occasion were planted inches away. I turned my head and followed her long legs up, and she stepped back as I met her eyes.
“I didn’t mean to wake you, but you looked cold.” She walked to the closest chair and lowered herself to sit as I sat up, finding that I’d been passed out in another sea of bottles beside the sofa. There was
a spill on the Aubusson, and someone, probably Lexa, had thrown a paper towel over it. “The maid let me in. I saw where you called and-”
“I didn’t call.” I was certain I hadn’t drunk dialed her. I glanced around for my phone, and it wasn’t anywhere near me.
“Oh.” She stared down at her hands, which trembled. “I’m sorry, maybe you butt-dialed me. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”
She was dressed nice, not like she’d run right over on a whim, but more like she’d been out for the evening. “You get all dressed up for me?” I narrowed my gaze as she looked away and shifted in her seat.
“I had dinner with a friend. I saw that you called and hoped you wanted to talk.”
“You could have called; it would have saved you the trouble.” She smelled of perfume and wine, and her hair was down the same as the night I’d taken her to dinner. “Who’s the friend?” I dragged to my feet, certain I smelled like the bottles piled around me and looked even worse.
“Does it matter?” She shrugged and met my eyes; her chin lifted as if to challenge me.
“No, it’s not like you’d tell me truth, anyway; but I can guess.” I turned and staggered a bit, trying to get around the coffee table. She sat forward as if she could catch me if I fell. I jerked my head in her direction and dared her to move. The I don’t need your help glare kept her ass in her chair.
I walked across the room to where mother kept her favorite decanter and poured myself a shot of bourbon. “I guess the good doctor didn’t make a house call, or did you run right over here after he left?” I downed half the drink and swirled the rest in my glass.
“It was only dinner between friends. He knows-”
I threw the glass against the closest wall and spun around to find her standing.
“He knows I’m in love with you,” she shouted, her voice strong and demanding. “If you’re going to let your temper get out of control, I’m leaving.”
Her chest rose and fell quickly as she stepped closer to the door, but all I could hear were her words playing over and over in my mind. There was an I love you in there. I could have sworn I’d heard it.
I wanted to remind her that I didn’t invite her over and show her to the door, but instead, I needed her to say it again. “What did you say? Not the shit about my temper, the rest of it.”
“I said he knows that I love you.” Her eyes filled with tears. I wanted so badly to believe her.
“How am I supposed to know? How can I ever trust a thing that comes out of your mouth? You could have told me who you were, Lexa.”
“Would you have wanted me around? Would you have fallen in love with me?” Her voice rose, and her face was so red with anger, so wet with tears, that I wanted to ease her pain. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t.
She stepped forward and leaned against the sofa as she could fall to the floor at any moment. “Did you even notice who’s side I was on?” I closed my eyes, remembering her in that courtroom. She could have gone to the other side and been with her parents, but she had come to stand with me.
“I tried to talk them out of it,” she continued. “I even threatened to disown them, but I couldn’t tell them why. I was in the middle, and I know I made a stupid mistake, and I’m sorry.” She dropped her chin and stared at the floor. “I had really hoped you’d called me over here. I’ll go.” She stepped away from the sofa, but I was already on my way across the room.
She flinched away as I approached and that made me feel like a real asshole. “Come here, Lexa.” She closed the distance between us, still looking to the floor as if unsure she could look at me without crying.
I lifted her chin and closed my hands around her face. She made no move to stop me, but she kept her eyes closed and braced herself, her eyes pinched tight and her shoulders stiff. But as soon as my lips found hers, she melted against me, her tears splashing my face until our kisses were salty. I pulled away and stroked her cheek, making hushing noises, then I pulled her in tight and nestled my face against her hair.
“I’m sorry, Aiden.” Her voice cracked as she choked out the apology, and I hushed her again with a kiss.
“No more of that. It’s done for now. We’ll work on everything later.” My head was pounding, and I was still buzzed. I’d been out for hours and realized I had no idea what time it even was. I glanced up at the clock on the mantle as she brought her hand up to cover a yawn.
“It’s almost four in the morning. You’ve been here a while, haven’t you?” She nodded, and I realized she’d told me that maid had let her in. “What time did Mattie leave?”
“She’s been gone for hours. I got here just after ten.” I was passed out long before that.
“Mattie,” I said with a laugh. “She’s the one who called you. I’d bet the house on it.”
“Come to think of it, she wasn’t surprised to see me, and she left as soon as I got here.” We shared a laugh as she yawned again.
“Well, it’s too late for you to go home and I’m not quite sober yet, though this throbbing hangover headache is making itself known.”
“Ah, well, it seems like you need a nurse.” She met my eyes, hers still a little unsure.
“Yeah, I’m certain I do.” I pulled her in for another soft kiss, and then she pulled away too soon.
“You head up to bed, and I’ll get you something for that headache. Where’s the medicine chest?” She stepped away, but I pulled her back to my side and headed to the stairs.
“There are a few things in my nightstand drawer that might come in handy.” She gave me a warm smile and helped me up the stairs and to my bed. After she insisted I take a dose for my headache, I pulled her down beside me and curled her in close.
I didn’t want to talk about anything else. We had time for that later, and despite the fact that I was worn out, she fell asleep a good twenty minutes before I did, cradled in my arms, and breathing nice and steady. I closed my eyes and let the rest of the night drift away, content that when I woke, it wouldn’t have all been a dream.
The next morning, Lexa’s arm fell across my chest as her leg locked around mine, stirring me from sleep. She had me pinned, and she wasn’t even awake yet.
I kissed her forehead and headed to the bathroom, but when I returned Mattie was at my door.
“Your phone. It was in the kitchen all night. Someone’s been calling, looked like it might be important.” I crossed the room and looked at the screen to see Layne’s name.
“Thanks. It’s Layne — and funny thing that my phone was in the kitchen. Wonder how it got there?” I threw a glance to my sleeping beauty, and Mattie smiled, but her face turned red with guilt as she saw my accusing gaze upon her.
“Sometimes those stubborn roots need a little help.” She lifted her chin and walked away, closing the door behind her.
I sat on the end of the bed, and Lexa rolled over, rubbing her eyes. “I told you I got a call; guess it was Mattie, after all.”
“Yeah, remind me to give her a raise. Did you sleep well?” I patted her foot through the covers.
“Like a baby, for the time since…” She didn’t have to tell me since when; I knew exactly when she’d stopped sleeping. It was the same time I’d stopped any sleep that wasn’t liquor induced, but passing out didn’t count.
“Want to stay for breakfast or do you have a shift?”
“It’s my three day weekend, so yes, feed me please.” She stretched her arms over her head, and I thought about how easy it would be to pin her hands and make love to her. But then my phone rang again. Layne was being persistent.
I didn’t know if I should take the call in front of her or not, especially since I knew it could be about the lawsuit. I didn’t want there to be any awkwardness between us, but I didn’t want there to be any secrets, either. “My lawyer keeps calling. I should really call him back.” Her lazy smile faded, and she looked away.
“I can go downstairs.” I rose from the bed, but she sat up and got to her feet before I could reach the doo
r.
“No. Wait, Aiden.” I stopped in my tracks, and she took my hand. “I’m still on your side.” Her eyes were sincere, and I realized there wasn’t any doubt about it. She might have lied about her name and who her parents were, but she was still my girl just the same.
I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed her soft knuckles. “Then let’s see what this blowhard wants.” I sat on the bed and returned the call.
Layne answered the phone with his usual level of pleasantness. “It’s about damned time you woke up.”
“Good morning to you, too, Layne; you’re on speaker phone, so mind your manners.” I thought it only fair to warn him. His tone changed immediately.
“I’ve been trying to reach you because there’s been a development in the Patterson case.” Lexa and I exchanged a glance.
“So, what is it?” Lexa clasped her hands at her chest as worry crossed her face.
“I need you to come down.” His tone wasn’t giving away anything.
“Okay. We’re on our way.” I hung up the phone, and her eyes widened.
“You want me to come along?” She got to her feet as I ran to the closet for a change of clothes.
“Yes, and I would take the time to shower, but we’d be here all day.” She stood there watching her in her bra and panties, and it seemed like a shame we didn’t have time to get properly naked. “You better get some clothes on; you can’t go there like that that.” I let my eyes take in as much of her as I could while she threw on her clothes, and then we headed out to meet Layne.
Together.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Lexa
Aiden and I were dressed and out the door in less than fifteen minutes, and that’s after me encouraging him to take a shower and going downstairs so he’d behave. I let Mattie know what was going on and thanked her for calling me. She had tried to deny it at first, but as I walked away, she mumbled a quiet you’re welcome.
Aiden insisted we take the Shelby and ran a few stop signs on the way out of his neighborhood. Not that you could call it a neighborhood; it wasn’t like he had anyone living close, but there were a few houses on the same street.