Page 40 of Aiden & Lily

He’d lied about who he was by letting her believe something he knew wasn’t true. He’d lied about why he wanted to keep their relationship private. He’d acted like secrecy was harmless because it was easier than admitting he was afraid.

Hope fizzled until he no longer carried it in his heart. He stared at her forlornly, unable to find the words that would right the situation. “I?—”

She shook her head. “I can’t believe this.” Then she turned on her heel and stormed away.

“Lily—” He called after her, shoving the cart in his brother’s direction.

But Parker’s words had him stopping short. “Maybe you should let her cool off a bit?”

Aiden turned slowly to face his brother, seething. The anger came fast because it was easier than shame. Easier than standing there with Lily’s hurt still hanging in the air between them.

“What did you say?” he demanded. “Did you tell her your life story or something? You weren’t even out here that long.”

Parker grimaced. “I just said I was staying with my brother Aiden. I asked her if she knew him.”

Aiden clenched his jaw to prevent himself from saying anything that would destroy the tentative relationship they’d found while Parker had been staying with him.

“I might have also mentioned that you work at the hospital?” Parker seemed smaller somehow as he said it. “I’m sorry, man. I only mentioned it because I’m proud of you. I’ve always looked up to you for getting such a good job.”

That gave Aiden pause. It was enough of a distraction that the fire building inside him continued to fade.

Parker was proud of him?

Mr. Perfect himself looked up to Aiden?

His fists relaxed at his sides, and he shook his head. “I’m sorry. This isn’t your fault.”

Parker blinked like he hadn’t expected that.

Aiden swallowed hard. “I should have told her.”

Parker’s expression shifted into something softer. “Yeah. You should have.”

The words normally would have made Aiden angry, but they didn’t.

“I need to go fix this.” Aiden looked in the direction Lily had gone. “I don’t know if there’s anything to salvage, but I…”

Parker jerked his chin toward Lily. “Go. I’ll wait for you.”

Aiden swallowed hard, then turned to chase after the only girl he’d ever had these sorts of feelings for.

He was terrified he’d lost her. He didn’t know what he was going to do if she shut him out of her life altogether. It hadn’t been long enough. Their time together had been cut short far too soon.

And if he was honest, he had been the one holding the blade.

Even though she herself had admitted second chances didn’t come easy, he sent a little prayer heavenward that she’d be willing to hear him out.

Not because he deserved it.

But because he wanted the chance to tell her the full truth before he lost her completely.

12

LILY

This couldn’t be happening.

Why was this happening?