Page 50 of Eight Weeks
Aaron hums as he takes a step closer to me. “I don’t blame you. It’s beautiful here, though I bet it looks better in the summer.”
It does. Everything is far greener, more fun. You can do other things than try not to slip while walking up the hill and ending up sliding down instead.
“Did you mean to walk away from New City?”
I nod. There’s no use in denying it. “I had nothing there anymore. I basically grew up around here. And after what happened when we came back to America… I just—”
Aaron’s eyebrows draw together. “What happened?” he interrupts.
My heart begins to beat faster, hands shaking as I realize my mistake. I swore to never speak about it ever again. I swore to neverfeelthe way I felt when it happened ever again. “Get me drunk and you might be able to get an answer.”
Without trying to argue, Aaron takes yet another step toward me, holding the bouquet out for me. He doesn’t press for an explanation, which I love about him.
Not love. Like. It’s what Ilikeabout him. Cherish, appreciate, value, if you will. Any other adjective in the book. But definitely notlove.
“I figured you could use something beautiful in your life, apart from me, obviously.”
This guy… I’m at a loss of words for his cockiness.
I take the bouquet, immediately lifting the top paper to look at the flowers only to have my breath get sucked right out of my lungs. Beautiful fucking soft purple lilacs staring back at me like they’re the sun shining down on me.
There’s one thing I should do, like thank him, cry while being overrun with joy, but what comes out of me are six whole other words. “Are you out of your mind?!”
“I thought you’d be happy to get flowers, your favorite ones, mind you. I suppose I was wrong.”
My head shakes all by itself, mouth slightly opened in either shock or disbelief, perhaps a healthy mixture of both. “One stem alone costs good four dollars, give or take. These must be what? One hundred stems?”
“Is this a bad time to tell you I’ve got more?”
“LILACS?”
He snorts a laugh. “No, presents.”
I let out a deep breath, taking steps back until my legs hit my bed. Sitting down, I stare at the flowers in my hands, blinking away tears. I refuse to let some of those salty traitors run down my cheeks, telling Aaron just how much I love these.Appreciate. How much I appreciate these.
No one has ever gotten me flowers, especially not lilacs. Given the price of one single stem, I understand why no one has ever bought me lilacs. But fuck, I never even received a daisy, and everyone knows you can literally pick them off the grass outside.
Looking up to meet his eyes, I smile at him softly. “Thank you for these,” I say, using every ounce of strength in me not to cryorsmile like a child seeing candy. “This means the world to me.”
“You’ll get more.” He offers me a nonchalant shrug, grinning widely at the same time as he goes to grab a giftbag from beside my dresser. Once he’s back in front of me, Aaron sits down on the floor, crossing his legs while handing me the bag. “Now, I know you love romance novels, but I didn’t know which one would be a surprise to get you, so I had to ask the owner if she knew you and all. She recommended something. So, in case you don’t like it and it doesn’t surprise you at all, it’s not my fault.”
I chuckle, even though I’m unsure of what he’s talking about. At least until I open the giftbag and peek inside, finding a hardcover book staring back at me. Gasping, my eyes snap to Aaron’s. “You did not.”
“Did what?”
“Get lilacsanda hardcover! Do you know how expensive both things are?” I mean, hardcovers are definitely less expensive than lilacs, for sure.
Aaron runs his fingers through his hair. “Can’t say I checked the bill.”
Of course he didn’t. Honestly, I don’t think I’d check it either, too afraid of my heart stopping to beat when I see the number on the receipt.
I pull out the book from the bag, experiencing yet another minor heart attack when I see it’s a fucking first edition ofPride and Prejudice. I was well aware our local bookstore sold it, but none of the villagers could ever pay for that thing.
I mean, spending hundreds on a book or food… yeah, I think everyone chooses food over books.
“Does your money have any boundaries?” I regret asking instantly. It’s rude to ask about money, but honestly, can you blame me for blurting out the question?
“For you? No.” Aaron takes the giftbag from me, setting it down on the floor. He then lays the book on the bed beside me before taking my hands in his. “I got access to my trust fund when I turned twenty-one. My dad wants me to use the money to buy a house or do anything smart with it, invest or, you know… things like that. But I figured spending it on stuff that’ll bring a smile to your face will do.”
