Page 81 of Aiden & Lily

Lily laughed. “It doesn’t quite work that way.”

Iris waved a hand through the air. “You know what I mean.” She turned to their youngest sisters. “Lily and Jasmine willalways be closer. It’s practically in their DNA. Don’t take it personally when you’re not included in their little bubble.”

Lily frowned. She hadn’t thought she was keeping her sisters at a distance simply because she spent more time with her twin, but Iris had made a fair point. Lily didn’t want that to become the norm.

She leaned over the table, placing one hand over Zinnia’s and the other over Violet’s. “Next time there’s something important, I’ll try not to leave you out.”

Iris scoffed. “Maybe think twice before making promises. Zinnia can’t keep a secret.” She eyed Violet. “I’m not sure either of them can.”

Rose snorted, drawing everyone’s attention. “As far as I can tell, none of you can keep secrets. That’s probably why Lily didn’t say anything.”

“Hey, I kept a secret,” Jasmine insisted. Then her eyes narrowed, and something passed between her and Rose. “I’ve kept more than my fair share, if you’ll recall.”

Lily watched the exchange with a frown.

Everything Jasmine knew, Lily usually knew too. Sharing things was one of the best parts of being twins. But Rose rolled her eyes and released a sound that wasn’t quite agreement or disagreement, setting off all kinds of alarm bells.

Lily shifted in her seat to study Jasmine more closely, but her twin gave no indication that she planned to explain. Tension settled between them. What had started as a fun pre-birthday dinner had shifted into something else.

Someone was keeping a secret. And Lily didn’t like being on the outside of it. She was also a hypocrite of the highest order. She wanted every detail, yet she’d been keeping secrets of her own from most of the people at the table. What right did she have to demand answers?

Penny clapped her hands together. “Okay, enough of that. Let’s talk about the party tomorrow. Is there anything you need help with, Jasmine? I hate that you’re handling all the planning when it’s your birthday too.”

“She loves it,” Rose announced, still not meeting anyone’s eyes. “She’s a control freak. She wouldn’t let you help if there were even the slightest chance something might not turn out exactly the way she wants.”

At that, she met Jasmine’s gaze, and the two of them smiled.

A twinge of jealousy flickered to life in Lily’s chest.

She was Jasmine’s twin. They had always shared the things that mattered. When had that changed?

With a sigh, Lily reached for her drink and pushed the question aside. Whatever was going on could wait one more day. Tomorrow was their birthday, and she intended to enjoy every minute of it.

The conversation shifted to the catering menu Jason was helping with and the guests who had been invited. The Meyers family wouldn’t be there, except for Royce. He seemed to be the only one welcome on the property now that his baby boy was part of the family.

Lily also confirmed that Reese and Aiden would both attend. All her favorite people would finally be together. Everything was going to be perfect.

And she couldn’t wait.

23

AIDEN

He was either an idiot or he was crazy.

Aiden stared at the ring nestled inside the velvet box balanced on his palm. When he’d gone to the jeweler and picked it out, the decision had felt right. He wanted this, and deep in his soul, he believed Lily wanted it too.

Their conversation about the future had only confirmed everything he already knew. But it wasn’t as simple as wanting a small house, a piece of land, or a family.

Aiden wanted all of it, but only if Lily was there beside him.

The hopeful part of him insisted his fear was unwarranted. Lily cared about him. She had shown him grace before. Maybe their relationship was strong enough to survive the final truth that needed to come out.

But all he could picture was the disappointment on her face.

He snapped the ring box shut and slipped it into the pocket of his slacks. He couldn’t ask Lily to marry him until he came clean. He would have to admit that he knew Reese, that they hadonce been best friends, and that he’d recognized Lily as Reese’s ex almost from the beginning.

He would also have to admit that he’d continued hiding it after she gave him more than one chance to tell her everything.