Page 105 of Fractured Fate

Aiden:

You busy?

Charlotte:

No. Walking home from the diner.

Aiden:

Diner?

Charlotte:

I had dinner with Blaire, your sister, and Layla.

What she didn’t say was she only ate a single waffle fry. The whole interaction regarding Aiden made her stomach ache, and the idea of greasy diner food lost all appeal.

She tucked her phone away when he said nothing more. It was the first time he’d contacted her in two days, and that was it? Why did he need to know if she was busy?

She squeezed past a group of guys all dressed alike in baseball hats, tight jeans paired with cowboy boots or work boots, and T-shirts with designs about fishing, hunting, or some other form of country sport. They stood in front of a small sporting goods shop that sold everything from fishing gear to hunting rifles. It wasn’t the kind of shop she visited, but she knew the owner. A nice middle-aged man who frequented the diner when she worked there. His wife worked as a receptionist for the dentist in town.

Her phone chimed again, and she stopped at a corner, setting her leftovers on the windowsill of a closed antique shop. She swiped the screen of her phone.

Aiden:

I need to see you.

Her face screwed up. Did he leave something at her house? She thought he left all his stuff in his mother’s car when he dropped her off.

Charlotte:

I’ll be home soon. I’m heading through the plaza now.

Aiden:

I’m in the plaza. Where are you? I’ll find you.

Charlotte:

I’m coming up on the side path Mom’s shop is on.

Aiden:

Wait for me.

She tucked her phone away and picked up her food, turning the corner to weave through the thinning crowd. The bright purple sign for Uniquely You, the boho chic clothing store her mom owned, came into view.

Stepping around a young couple looking in the window of a store with baby items, she saw him leaning on the wall, arms folded over his broad chest, hugged by a gray Henley with the top two buttons undone. His muscular thighs strained against his black jeans where he had one leg bent, booted foot propped on the wall.

She was sure the phrase tall, dark, and handsome was invented with Aiden Easton in mind. He looked as good as she remembered.

It’s only been two days. Get a grip.

It felt like much longer now that he was in front of her.

As soon as she caught his eye, he pushed from the wall and stalked toward her. It was the only word to describe the way he moved. Tilting his head forward, he narrowed his eyes on her, holding her captive with his forest green gaze. She felt like prey in the eyes of a predator. A shiver ran the length of her spine, making her entire body shudder as she remained rooted in place.

Was he angry? No. Something sparked in the air that she couldn’t explain that made her feel his approach meant something different.