Chapter 11 #2
“Not everyone is like your father,” my mom said softly. “And not every secret is of that magnitude. Haven’t you ever kept a secret from someone? Big or small?”
I had. Obviously, I had. I was doing it right now with Addison.
I wasn’t only keeping Aiden’s secret from her, but also the fact that I’d slept with him.
And it was clear I didn’t even need to with how forcefully she was throwing the two of us together.
It was easier to justify to myself because I knew my intentions weren’t malicious.
But after talking with him in the hallway outside our rooms, it was clear his weren’t, either.
“I’m going to take your silence as affirmation,” she said.
“It’s different.”
“It is,” she agreed. “And that’s okay. What your father did was unforgivable.
But you can’t live your life scared of it happening again or shoving every person and situation into the same box, because they’re not all created equal.
Don’t make yourself or those in your life pay for a mistake he made.
And don’t think for a second that you looking past it or forgiving someone for doing it means you have to forgive your father. They’re not the same.”
I swallowed hard over the lump in my throat and nodded even though she couldn’t see me.
“If you like this man,” she continued. “If you clicked as much as you say you did, then why not give him a chance? Maybe he has a good excuse for keeping the secret.”
There was no maybe about it, and though I’d wondered about that since that day at the ball game, he’d confirmed it just before we’d left.
“Did any of that help, honey?”
Honestly? I wasn’t sure. I knew I didn’t have to be mad at him anymore, but I wasn’t sure that getting involved with him was the best idea, even though, with how Addison was throwing us together, there clearly wasn’t a fraternization policy I had to worry about.
But look how upset I’d been after only a single night with him.
What would happen if we spent days, weeks, or even months together? Where would that leave me in the end?
Instead of voicing any of my fears, I just said, “Yeah.”
“Good. Stewart’s waving me over, so I’ve gotta run. He’s taking me island-hopping in a helicopter. But you think about what I said, okay? I’ll call again when I’ve got good service.”
“Okay, Mom. Have fun and be safe.”
“You have fun…and be wild, my little hummingbird. Love you!”
After ending the call, I strode through the front door of the bed-and-breakfast and toward the welcome desk where Aiden stood. His posture was stiff, his hands braced on the counter as he spoke in a low but firm tone to the front desk attendant.
“There has to be a mistake,” he said.
“I’m afraid not, Mr. McKenzie. We have the note right here. Ms. Addison McKenzie made the reservation for the Cozy Garden Hideaway, and that’s the only room I have booked for you.”
“Can you check again, please.” The way Aiden said it was less question and more demand, but the man behind the counter simply smiled and did as Aiden had requested.
“Hey,” I said, splitting my gaze between him and the front desk attendant, whose name tag read Mark. “Everything all right?”
Aiden slid his gaze to me, giving me a slow once-over.
I’d noticed he did that every time I walked into the room.
It felt less like he was checking me out and more like he was checking to make sure I was okay.
And my body reacted every damn time, goose bumps sweeping over my skin and a warmth blooming low in my belly. “We’ll see,” he said.
Mark made a low hum in his throat. “I’m afraid we just have you down for the Cozy Garden Hideaway, sir.”
Aiden hung his head and blew out a heavy breath. “Fine. Do you have another room available that I can also reserve?”
“Unfortunately, we’re all booked, thanks to the fall festival taking place this weekend.”
“Let me guess,” Aiden said flatly. “It’ll be the same for every other place in town.”
“I would assume so, sir.”
I glanced between Aiden and Mark, brows raised. “What does that mean?”
Aiden curled his hands over the front desk ledge, tension coming off him in waves. “It means Addison ‘forgot’ to add another room to our reservation. And she booked the smallest room while she was at it.”
Mark’s gaze bounced between Aiden and me. “If you’re worried about the accommodations, I can assure you the room is cozy and quaint—”
“Read: small as fuck,” Aiden muttered under his breath.
“With a double bed and a gorgeous view of our back garden, which is full of a kaleidoscope of colors right now. The trees are just breathtaking. You’ve really picked a beautiful time of year to visit!”
Aiden glanced at me then, a brow raised. “It’s your call. We can turn around, and I’ll drive us right back home tonight.”
“It’s almost ten.”
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, especially when my sister strong-armed you into this,” he said, as if he was the one making me uncomfortable.
And he was, but not for the reasons he probably thought. I wanted him—hadn’t stopped wanting him—but I didn’t know if it was a good idea.
Still, I wasn’t going to sabotage this weekend. Even if Addison’s intentions were nefarious, that didn’t change the fact that she really did want me to scope out the festival and return to Starlight Cove with a bunch of ideas we could implement there. And I really was excited about doing it.
I held Aiden’s gaze as I spoke to the front desk attendant. “We’ll stay.”
“An excellent choice!” Mark said, typing away on his computer. “All our previous guests who’ve stayed in that room have enjoyed their time immensely, so I have no doubt you will, too.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. Three evenings with Aiden in a tiny room that held only one bed? I was pretty sure this was going to be torture.