Page 71 of Aiden & Lily

Heat crawled up his face, and by the look of Parker’s expression, his brother was getting just as frustrated. They were both on the defensive now, and Aiden knew he was shifting the focus. That didn’t stop him.

“What about me?” Parker asked. “I’m not lying to anyone.”

“Really? Because it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that there’s something going on with you and Jasmine.”

“What?” Parker threw his hands in the air before turning back toward him. “Are you insane? Jasmine?”

“The way you look at her. Flirt with her. Come on, man. You like her. You’re just so emotionally stunted that you’re not willing to risk putting your heart on the line again. One bad breakup and suddenly you can’t trust anyone? What’s holding you back?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the fact that I don’t like her that way. Ever think of that?”

Their voices had risen enough that a few of the other workers had started glancing in their direction with interest. Parker noticed and lowered his voice as he stepped closer. He poked Aiden in the chest.

“I’m not interested in getting married again. Ever.”

“Technically, you never got married,” Aiden pointed out. “You only made it to the altar before everything fell apart.”

Parker’s jaw tightened. “I’m not talking about this with you. Not about Jasmine, and especially not about what happened before. My relationships—or lack of them—are none of your business.” He drew in a slow breath. “I will say that Jasmine is a good person, and she’s fun to spend time with. But so is Lily.”

Aiden shook his head, frustrated more than anything. “You may not be lying to Jasmine, but I think you’re lying to yourself. You were never meant to be alone.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” Parker hissed. “I know I want a family. I want people to care for. I want a home that matters to someone besides me. That’s always been part of who I am.”

“Then why won’t you give her a chance? Maybe the two of you could be good together.”

Parker let out a humorless laugh. “There’s no spark, Aiden. Nothing pulling us together.” His voice softened, taking on a sadder quality. “I’ve thought about it, you know. What it would be like if Jasmine and I could click the way you and Lily do. We have a lot in common. But it’s just not there, and I like her too much to ask her to settle for a loveless marriage.”

Aiden stared at him. Did Parker really not hear himself? He cared about Jasmine enough to worry about what she deserved. Maybe that wasn’t love yet, but it sure seemed like it could be the beginnings of love.

Still, Aiden knew his brother well enough not to push any harder. Parker had made his position clear.

“I wish you didn’t feel that way,” Aiden said.

“It’s fine. I’m figuring things out.”

“What does that mean?”

Parker reached for his hammer. “If it works out, you’ll see.”

Aiden huffed out a laugh.

“And maybe,” Parker continued, “you should go to that girl of yours and tell her everything. Today. She loves you, Aiden. That doesn’t mean she won’t be hurt, but it does mean you owe her the chance to hear the truth from you.” He picked up his hammer, signaling the end of the conversation. “Whatever happens after that, at least you won’t be hiding the truth anymore.”

Aiden looked out across the field of wildflowers stretching toward the foothills. Lily belonged here somehow, full of warmth and life, as though she'd bloomed right alongside them. But Colorado summers never lasted forever. If he wasn't careful, he could lose what mattered most long before winter settled over the valley.

Parker didn’t want to talk about his own life, but that didn’t mean his advice was wrong. Lily loved Aiden. He knew that. But he also knew this very well could be the final straw for her.

No second chances. That was what she had once said, and she had already broken that rule for him.

Aiden retrieved his hammer, the weight of it solid in his hand. For the rest of the afternoon, they worked in silence, and Aiden felt a little more unsettled than he had when he arrived.

20

LILY

“My birthday is coming up,” Lily admitted, swaying as the horse beneath her plodded along the trail.

“I’m well aware.”