Page 129 of Not in My Book

I squinted at him, knowing he was right, but not wanting to admit it. “What happened to me winning every fight?”

He looked down at me fondly. “We’ll never publish a book that way, baby.”

Jeanine was pretty flexible with deadlines anyway. After reading our book, she knew how easily we bickered and how much time that took up.

“Fine. I’ll send it—ifyou wear the peacoat.”

Aiden looked toward the sky. “Lord, help me.”

I laughed, nudging him with my shoulder. “I’m kidding, I’m kidding. I’ll send it later.”

“Here you go.” Juanita held the tin foil wraps out for us. “Mateo and I are finishing our food prep, and we’ll see you both in Tennessee later this week.”

With the stress of wedding planning, I told him I wished Juanita and Mateo could just cater for us. He offered them a ridiculous amount of money and to pay for their flights and accommodations down there. I think he did it more because I’m still desperate for them to get together.

“Thanks, Juanita.” I smiled up at her. “Maybe while we’re all down there, you two could talk a little more.”

She blushed. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

My phone buzzed with incessant texts. I glanced at our group chat now titledraiden weekend

Logan:which of ur cousins are hot rosie

Jess:don’t ask her that! the bride doesn’t care about ur weekend hookups

Logan:i’m doing this for HER. SHE’S the one that likes romance

Tyler:Logan, stop.

Rosie:leave my cousins alone

Rosie:you’ll get along well with carla

Logan:LOVE YOU ROSIE see you in tennessee!!!

We walked from the park toward Aiden’s brownstone, eating our burritos. Aiden was excited to see Cori, Maria’s daughter. He thought it was adorable how everyone called him Tío Aiden already. At first he’d thought it was weird since he wasn’t Hispanic, but I assured him, “I call my uncle on my dad’s side Tío Sean. No one cares, trust me.”

In Aiden’s living room, which was soon to becomeourliving room, boxes of my stuff were piling up. We kept saying we’d unpack it later, but neither of us really wanted to.

Aiden cast me a sidelong glance. “You know, we could knock this out in a few hours. Then we’d come home from the wedding toourplace.”

I nodded. “You get the box cutter, I’ll handle the music.”

So for the next few hours, deep into the night, Aiden and I unpacked all my boxes, melding my stuff with his. We’d get distracted every so often, laughing at photos we found or chasing each other around the house or when Aiden sat me on the kitchen counter, his face cradled in my hands.

Aiden was still skeptical about Happily Ever Afters. We’d gotten in plenty of arguments about Max and Hunter’s future. Eventually, he agreed they were meant to be. But honestly? I didn’t care what happened to Max and Hunter. Because Iknewwhat my future with Aiden held.

People say there’s a thin line between love and hate, and you know what? They’re right.