Page 48 of Aiden & Lily

Aiden:Come outside.

Lily:What? You’re here?

Aiden:Would I be anywhere else?

Lily:Someone might see you.

Aiden winced at the reminder.

Aiden:I’ll be careful. Just come outside.

Lily:On my way.

Aiden kept to the shadows, a bouquet in hand. It was dark, but the sky was clear, and he figured they’d be able to walk around the side of the barn if they needed to. He had a blanket tucked under his other arm, and when he heard the storm door swing shut, he emerged from where he was hiding.

Lily found him immediately and hurried toward him, slowing only when she caught sight of the flowers.

Her eyes lifted to meet his, and a smile tugged at her pretty lips. “Are those for me?”

He held them out to her. “I wanted to apologize.”

She lifted the bouquet to her nose, then peeked at him from beneath her long lashes. “Sorry about what?”

Aiden drew in a breath.

This wasn’t the time for another joke or technicality.

“I’m sorry I didn’t correct you when you called me Christopher. It is my middle name, but I knew what you believed, and I let you keep believing it because it was easier for me.”

Her smile faded slightly, though she didn’t look away.

“My full name is Aiden Christopher Stone,” he continued. “And as you know, I do compete in the rodeo. But I’m not a cowboy by trade, and I should have told you that.”

Lily’s expression softened. “Thank you.”

He nodded, grateful she hadn’t let him brush it aside.

“And since I know a little about medicine…” He pinched his fingers close together and gave her a tentative wink. “I’mgoing to be a great conversationalist since you’re interested in medicine.”

Lily laughed. “Animal medicine isn’t exactly the same as human medicine.”

He leaned forward, his voice lowering conspiratorially. “I don’t know. Some of my patients act a lot like animals. Growling and all.”

She snorted out a laugh louder than the others.

Relief loosened something in his chest, but he didn’t mistake her laughter for everything being fixed.

He took her free hand and started leading her away. “Come on. We’re going to look at the stars, and you’re going to ask me questions.” He paused for effect. “Then I’m going to answer every single one.”

Lily turned wide eyes on him. “Really?”

“Yeah, angel.” His smile faded into something more serious. “I want you to know me. The real me. The parts I’ve been too scared to share with you.”

She tugged him to a stop, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. “Aiden…”

His heart stumbled.

The way she said his name did strange things to him. He held his breath, waiting, yearning for her to tell him what she thought. Had he drawn attention to something he shouldn’t have? Would she always hear Christopher first and remember that he’d held back?