Page 89 of Aiden & Lily

His brows lifted.

“I mean it, Reese. Whatever happened between the two of you, don’t turn this into a confrontation at my birthday party.”

“I won’t.”

Lily released a slow breath. “Thank you.”

She walked through the house and out the back door.

The party was still in full swing. Music drifted across the yard, and laughter rose from the tables beneath the strings of lights. For everyone else, nothing had changed.

Lily found Aiden almost immediately. He stood beside Mathew with a tight smile on his face. He glanced at her only briefly before turning back to their conversation.

Sensing Reese at her back, Lily moved forward into the fray. Music played. Birthday wishes were offered. And she found herself being drawn to her sisters. Jasmine could tell something was wrong, but she had the grace not to say anything. Or maybe it was the subtle shake of Lily’s head that made her keep her mouth shut.

Reese hovered, speaking to a few other people, but for the most part he kept his distance from Aiden. She caught them eyeing each other a few times, but no one made a scene, so at least there was that. At least they were respecting what she had asked.

Lily forced herself to breathe through the uncertainty. She wanted to believe everything they had built would be enough, but love alone could not restore what had been broken. She needed to ask God for wisdom before her heart ran too far ahead.

Lily caught Aiden’s eye across the yard again.

She didn’t smile. Neither did he. But for now, he stayed.

25

AIDEN

Aiden’s hand tightened around his drink as he tried to follow what Mathew was saying. Something about the house he was building with River. Parker was humoring him, answering questions about construction that only he would know, but Aiden barely heard either of them.

As much as Aiden didn’t want to look in Lily’s direction, he couldn’t help himself. She smiled when someone spoke to her and laughed at something one of her sisters said, but every expression looked forced.

When her gaze found his, she didn’t smile.

He didn’t blame her.

Reese, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care if Aiden knew he was disappointed.

That was the only way to describe the searing gaze he’d been getting from his friend. Much like Parker, Reese was the kind of guy any girl would be lucky to have. He had a steady job. He was upfront about everything in his life.

He didn’t keep secrets from the people he cared about.

Well, it was safe to say that was where Aiden had messed up. He’d gone and put himself in this position, and he wasn’t sure where things would go next. Part of him wanted to leave. Right now, he was only adding to the tension at the party.

Aiden could already tell that if this get-together wasn’t happening, Lily would be demanding they talk. She’d put him in his place and tell him exactly what she thought.

That was what he was avoiding. She’d said their talk wasn’t over. She’d made that more than clear. And when they were alone, she’d follow through. Because that was who Lily was.

He cut one more look in Lily’s direction, wondering if it would put him in more trouble if he slipped away without saying goodbye. She deserved to enjoy her birthday, and he’d messed it up. She’d been right after all—he’d made things messy, and he only had himself to blame.

Aiden blew out a heavy breath, then inched away from the group. Parker gave him a questioning look but didn’t ask where he was going. Mathew only looked mildly curious. Maybe this was a good time to get some space to think and figure out what to say when Lily was ready to finish their conversation.

He tossed his plastic cup into a nearby garbage can and headed toward the side of the house. If he was quick, no one would realize he’d stepped away. Aiden picked up his pace, and just as he rounded the side of the house, he nearly collided with the one person he didn’t want to see.

Reese stood before him, arms crossed and brows furrowed. He didn’t look angry, not really. But then what did Aiden know?

They hadn’t been close for a long time. The few opportunities they’d had to spend time together hadn’t made him feel as though they were back to being friends.

Aiden glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one had followed, then heaved a sigh. “What do you want, Reese?”