Page 75 of Aiden & Lily

“It’s for the best, though,” she said. “Right? It just…”

“Wasn’t the right time,” Reese finished. “As much as I wish that hadn’t been true, we were in different places in our lives. But really, I think we make much better friends.”

She nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “Yeah. But for what it’s worth, I think you’ll find someone who suits you just as well as Christopher suits me.”

“Maybe you can set me up with someone?”

Lily laughed. “I didn’t think you believed in blind dates.”

Their banter continued, and the tension in her chest slowly eased. Now she was looking forward to her birthday even more.

All of her favorite people would finally be in the same place.

What could possibly go wrong?

21

AIDEN

“Imiss you,” Aiden murmured into the phone.

Lily laughed. “You saw me yesterday.”

“And it’s been almost a full twenty-four hours since I’ve been able to hold you in my arms.”

The other end of the line went quiet. Aiden knew she hadn’t hung up on him. Lily wasn’t like that. Even so, he breathed easier when she finally spoke.

“You’re ridiculous.”

Her voice was sweet and soft, with just enough longing beneath it to make him smile.

“No. I’m in love, and I can’t wait to see you when my shift is over.”

“I hate when you have to work a double, but I understand,” Lily said. “I can’t wait to see you again, either.”

A soft rustling came through the phone. At the same time, movement in the corner of Aiden’s vision caught his attention. Mathew entered the break room looking worn down, though nomore than usual. Their eyes met briefly before Mathew made a beeline for the vending machines.

Aiden frowned. Too much time had passed since they’d spoken. How long did Mathew need before he finally came to terms with the fact that Aiden wasn’t going anywhere?

“Look, angel, I have to go. There’s someone I need to talk to.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“I’ll bring you coffee.”

“Mmm. I can’t wait.”

Lily ended the call, and Aiden slipped his phone into his pocket.

He watched Mathew, waiting for him to turn away from the vending machine before he spoke. The distance between them had gone on long enough. If Aiden planned to remain in Lily’s life—and he did—he couldn’t keep avoiding this.

Mathew seemed to feel Aiden watching him. His shoulders tightened before he glanced over one shoulder. “That Lily?”

Aiden fought the urge to answer sharply. Of course it was Lily. He hadn’t lied when he told Mathew that he loved her.

“Yes,” was all he offered instead.

Mathew pressed a button, and a bag of chips dropped from the metal coil inside the machine. It landed with a thunk at the bottom. Mathew crouched to retrieve it, and Aiden half expected him to take the chips and leave.