Page 60 of Aiden & Lily

“Okay. Spill.”

Lily shot a surprised look at her twin. “Spill what?”

“That look. You went from hopeful to sour in less than ten seconds. What’s going on? Talk to me.”

Shaking her head, Lily clamped her mouth shut.

She’d sound like a selfish girlfriend. She’d agreed with Aiden that they needed to come up with the right time to tell Mathew, and with everything happening with Penny, now just wasn’t that time.

Still, she couldn’t keep pretending the delay didn’t hurt.

Jasmine poked at her. “I’m not leaving until you tell me.”

“Fine. It’s not all flowers and rainbows, okay? Everyone’s love life is shadowed by something, and my relationship with Aiden is no exception.” Lily sighed. “I don’t get to share my happiness. I don’t get to go out with Aiden in town and hold his hand. I don’t get to claim him as mine.”

Understanding dawned in Jasmine’s eyes. “But it won’t be forever, right?”

“It’s not supposed to be.”

Jasmine studied her. “That wasn’t a very confident answer.”

Lily looked away.

Her twin’s expression softened. “Until then…” She wagged her eyebrows in a clear attempt to make Lily laugh. “You get to be my third wheel.”

Lily shot her a flat look. “Oh. Goodie.”

Jasmine threw back her head and laughed.

The sound was so genuine that Lily couldn’t fight her own smile. This was what she loved about her sister. She always knew how to make a bad situation feel a little lighter without pretending it wasn’t there.

“Oh, come on,” Jasmine said. “You know you want to. You’ve always hated being cooped up. And you’re no stranger to being single.”

“But I’m not single,” Lily said pointedly.

There was no way she’d entertain the attention of another man. She loved Aiden. And if he had to work, she’d make sure he didn’t have to worry about her losing interest.

“I’ll come with you, but the second anyone gets too pushy, I’m out of there, and you have to find your own way home.”

“Deal!”

“Reese! What are you doing here?”

Lily threw her arms around her best friend, then pulled back with a laugh. He looked just as surprised as she did. “I thought you were going to be out of town for the weekend. Or at least busy.”

He nodded as he stepped back and let his arms drop to his sides. “I thought I was. But then things changed. And you said you weren’t interested in going out because you didn’t feel well.”

There was an accusatory air to his voice, but before she could say anything, Jasmine jumped in.

“That’s because she’s missing her beau. Mr. Amazing has to work tonight, so she’s my third wheel.” Jasmine stood on her toes and scanned the room. “My date is around here somewhere. I’ll have to introduce you.”

She’d always gotten along well with Reese. But then Jasmine got along with everyone. She just didn’t connect romantically with anyone.

Reese nudged her. “Sounds like you need an upgrade.” He winked at her, and she laughed.

“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Jasmine purred, going a little overboard with her flirting. She dragged a finger up his arm and walked around him like he was her prey.

He watched her with amusement, turning with her movements. “All I’m saying is that you deserve better than to beditched by your date. Please tell me you’re not serious with this one.”