Page 7 of Aiden & Lily

“Jasmine.” Lily stared at her. “You can’t possibly mean that.”

She shrugged again, but her gaze stayed on the arena. “I’m telling you, I don’t need the fancy flowers or date nights. I don’t need to be told I’m beautiful and priceless. I want someone steady. Someone who cares about the same things I care about. Someone who’ll give me a home. Give me babies. That sort of stuff.”

Lily was all too aware she was gaping at her sister. “You realize emotional well-being is one of those needs, right? Feeling loved isn’t some silly extra.”

Jasmine snorted. “I don’t believe in all that.”

“You do too. I know you believe in God.”

“Of course I do. But I don’t believe we’re hardwired to need grand romance. We were put down here to multiply and replenish, remember? That’s in the Bible. I don’t need anything but a family.” Her mouth twisted a little. “The problem is, there aren’t many men out there who’d agree with me.”

“That’s because men have grown and evolved,” Lily said with a laugh. “They want someone to love them, too.”

Jasmine’s sigh was almost heartbreaking. “Well, I don’t need it. I’d be happy with the basics.”

Lily studied her sister for a moment. Jasmine could act like love was impractical all she wanted, but Lily knew better. Nobody talked that much about not needing something unless some part of them wanted it and didn’t trust it to stay.

“Well, I hope you find what you need,” Lily said carefully. “Even though I think your version sounds miserable.”

They shared small smiles.

“And I hope you find your happily ever after,” Jasmine said. “There’s no wrong way to find the person you’re destined to be with, right?”

“Right,” Lily murmured.

3

AIDEN

The girl Aiden had seen at the rodeo danced through his mind for an entire week.

Every single redhead who came into the hospital had him turning his head for a closer look, and every single time, he was left disappointed. It wasn’t like he was very social. Not locally. For the most part, he enjoyed finding dates from nearby towns. It made sense. Less chance of awkward run-ins. Less chance of anyone expecting more than he was ready to give.

Maybe he’d get lucky and see her tonight at the country club.

What was he thinking?

Why was he so invested in finding this woman? He wasn’t built for long-term relationships. Everyone who knew him would say the same thing. If Mathew knew he was here looking for someone, he’d laugh in Aiden’s face, then promptly remind him of his bachelor ways.

And yet the closer Aiden got to the entrance of the club, the more adrenaline pumped through his veins.

Was he nervous?

No. This was excitement.

Right?

Maybe he was a little nervous. And he hadn’t even confirmed she was here yet.

He stepped inside, the music an invitation to finally enjoy himself. He wore the usual outfit he donned when he competed. Jean jacket, hat, boots—the works. He was just making his way across the dance floor when a girl bumped into him. She sucked in a breath, and a wide smile pulled at his lips.

“Aiden! What are you doing here?”

“If it isn’t little Klein. Bring it in.”

He opened his arms, and Penny stepped into them for a hug.

She was small in his arms, and the way she clung to him made him feel, for one odd second, like he might be capable of the steadiness he saw in everyone else around him. He didn’t have to be the screw-up. He didn’t have to be the guy people warned their sisters away from.