Page 77 of Aiden & Lily

Aiden blinked, fighting the urge to shoot to his feet. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t considered that Mathew knew about Lily and Reese. Mathew and Reese weren’t especially close, but they’d all hung out at one point or another.

“That’s what I thought.” Mathew sighed. “Aiden…”

“I’m working on it, okay?” Aiden pressed his lips together and drew in a slow breath. “He’s coming to the party. I’m going to tell him before he gets to town.”

He hated the disappointment in Mathew’s eyes. It added one more reason to the growing list of ways Aiden had fallen short.

But maybe this wasn’t about whether he was worthy of Lily. Maybe it was about finally doing what she deserved.

“It’ll be okay,” Mathew said.

Aiden stared at him. “What?”

Mathew crushed the empty chip bag in one hand. “I’m getting over it, aren’t I?”

“Are you?”

Mathew frowned. “Fine. I’m getting there. It’s taken me a while to wrap my head around the person you’re becoming. The Aiden I knew wasn’t interested in settling down. He was the guy who just wanted to have a good time without any commitment.” He gave him a pointed look. “Do you know how many women I’ve heard complain about you wanting nothing serious? And not only the women who work at the hospital.”

Aiden winced. Mathew had a point. Long-term relationships had never interested him before Lily. She had changed that. She made him want to settle down, have a white picket fence and kids.

“That being said,” Mathew continued, “I can see that you’re trying. You’ve changed. I’ve never seen you so dedicated to anyone. And if Lily is part of the reason for that, then I suppose I should be happy for both of you.”

“You suppose?” Aiden teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

Mathew didn’t let him off that easily.

“Give me some time. I care about my family.” His gaze held firm. “But I care about you too, even if you are a reformed player.”

His mouth curved into a grin, and Aiden smiled back.

“Thanks.”

“But you need to clear the air with Reese. He should hear it from you. Isn’t he still close to Lily?”

Aiden nodded. “Yeah.”

“Then call him… today.”

Aiden nodded again.

Mathew slapped a hand against his knee and stood. “Good talk.”

He tossed away the empty bag and headed for the door. Before leaving, he paused and turned back. “I really am happy for you, Aiden. No one deserves to find love more than you.”

Aiden couldn’t find the words to answer. He hadn’t expected that from Mathew. The words slipped through the walls Aiden had spent years building around himself.

No one deserves to find love more than you.

They stayed with him long after Mathew disappeared through the door.

The following morning,Aiden showed up at Lily’s house. Instead of handing her coffee when she stepped onto the porch, he told her to get dressed.

She returned wearing a sundress, her hair curled and a bright smile on her face. Before Aiden could speak, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Aiden reveled in the way she melted into him, allowing her to deepen their kiss. When she finally pulled back, he stared at her in a daze.

“What was that for?”