12. Aaron
Chapter twelve
Aaron
The barn dance is something else. I expected to find some slap-dash entertainment thrown together, but when the four of us arrive, it’s wonderful.
The barn is this huge, open building with lights strung everywhere, giving it a bright, cheerful look.
The dance floor extends well outside the barn, surrounded by dozens of sitting areas with small fires being tended by workers.
Speakers are hung up everywhere. No matter where you are on the dance floor, you’ll hear the music clearly.
“This is fantastic!” Ellen squeals, jumping up and down and clapping her hands.
The pretty, green skirt she bought at of the shops today floats around her. She quickly grabs Mike’s arm and drags him away, leaving Bella and me .
She’s been quiet all day. When I saw Steven bothering her outside the cabin earlier in the day, I thought that might be why. But she’s been relaxed in her quietness, unlike this morning.
“Want to get some lemonade?” I ask.
Bella beams at me. “That’ll be lovely.”
We head toward the refreshments table, I ask for two lemonades and hand one to Bella.
“Looks like Ellen and Mike are dancing already,” she notes.
I smirk as I catch sight of them spinning their hearts out on the dance floor.
“Would you like to dance?” I ask Bella.
She bites her lip. She has on cherry-red lip gloss that makes her mouth entirely too beguiling. The sight of her teeth denting the soft skin is too much for me to ignore.
Luckily, Bella doesn’t catch me staring.
“I don’t think so,” she says. “I know things have been… well, I’m not sure how to say this.”
“Say what?” I press.
She gestures for me to follow. I do, weaving through the chattering crowd. We step outside and move to an unoccupied fire pit.
Once there, Bella turns to me. “I officially broke up with Steven.”
My eyebrows lift. “I thought you already did that.”
“I thought so, too. But now I said the actual words. I guess he didn’t realize that me leaving was us breaking up.” Bella smiles at me. “I’m relieved. But… everything is still new. I have been Steven’s girlfriend for years. I’m not sure how to be just Bella again.”
Ah. I nod. “I understand.”
“Good. I checked an update on the road situation. Several other towns have offered their help, and Castleton thinks we should be able to get out of here tomorrow.”
I hold my hands toward the fire, fighting the sense of dread that comes with her words. That should be a good thing.
“That reminds me. There was some property damage from another slide,” I say. “I’ve decided I’m going to host a charity event of some sort to help the people affected. Probably a dance.”
Bella lays a hand on my arm. “That sounds wonderful. Just let me know if you could use help. I’ll do what I can.”
The fire crackles, sending sparks up into the sky.
“Thank you,” I say.
She’s so beautiful. Cherry-red lips. Brown eyes glowing almost amber in the firelight. Her cheeks tinged with pink. She seems more confident right now than she’s ever been before.
“I’d love to keep in touch, once we’re back in the city.” Her hand is still on my arm, and her fingers tighten as she speaks. “You’ve been so great to Ellen and me these last few days.”
“It’s no problem. I hate to see people in distress.”
“I’m starting to understand that about you.” A devilish smile curls those red lips. “I’d like to get to know you when I’m not in distress, though.”
My heart hammers. Is she saying what I think she’s saying?
“I’d like to get to know you, too,” I say.
“And since it’s clear Ellen and Mike are happy together, I hope Ellen won’t think it’s weird.”
She releases my arm and turns her face to the night sky. She gasps.
I look up as well to see waves of green. All around us, people start murmuring. Soon, the music softens and the lights dim.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we have a show from the northern lights,” an announcer says over the speakers. “Let’s take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty, shall we?”
Ribbons of blue weave through the lights.
“It’s so beautiful,” Bella whispers.
“It really is.” Warmth sweeps through me as we gaze at the sky.
At this moment, I feel connected with everything around me. The beauty of the lights, the warmth of the fire. Bella.
My gaze breaks from the northern lights to her.
She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Her strength and determination show through. Even when she is in distress, I can see how wonderful she really is.
She’s been in survival mode for so long. Now, she’ll be free to blossom, and I can’t wait to see how much more beautiful she will become.
Ellen and Mike are still off on the dance floor.
Even if they weren’t, it wouldn’t stop me.
She’s magnetic. I can’t keep myself away.
And when she looks at me, her gaze warm, her mouth oh so tempting, I can’t stop myself.
I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her in closer.
She tilts her face toward mine.
We both lean in together; I brush my lips against hers and wait. Her lips part with a soft sigh.
And she kisses me back.
Her hands tangle into my hair, pulling me closer. She lets out a soft moan as I tease her lips apart. I tug her closer.
Then she draws back.
Overhead, the north lights dance on. But as Bella stares at me, a myriad of emotions flash across her face.
Ending with one I hate to see: guilt.
“We can’t,” she says, carefully disengaging from me. “This is a mistake.”
Though I want to keep holding her, I release her.
I search her face, hoping to find some sign that guilt will go away.
“Bella—”
“I should go.”
“Bella, wait.” I reach out but don’t touch her. I don’t want her to feel as though I’m not giving her a choice. “Please. We can talk this out, right? Why was it a mistake? I like you. I really like you.”
Bella wraps her arms around her waist, slowly shaking her head, her eyes welling with tears.
“I do,” I insist, not knowing why she’s saying no. “Is it about Steven? You’re broken up, you don’t owe him anything.”
“You’re right. I don’t. But I owe myself something. And I… I owe you something,” she whispers.
That draws me up short. Me? I’m the one who initiated the kiss. What does she mean, she owes me something?
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t really know me, Aaron.” She takes a deep breath and tightens her arms. “And that’s because I don’t really know myself. It’s all so new, being single. I think I need to be single for a while. So I can be me again.”
She brushes her hair behind her ear.
The guilt on her face morphs into something else. Regret.
She regrets our kiss.
I’m not sure what to feel.
But one thing is clear—if she’s not ready for this, I won’t push.
She’s been in a pushy relationship for far too long.
“I’m sorry,” I say genuinely.
“ You’re sorry?” Bella laughs sadly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have led you on.”
I hold up my hands. “You didn’t. You told me clearly that you needed time. And I ignored that. So I’m the one who needs to apologize.”
Bella hesitates. “You’re a good man, Aaron. Now, you were supposed to dance with three women, remember? You go do that.”
“You had a goal, too,” I remind her bleakly.
“I did. But I’m going to head back to the cabin. Tell Ellen and Mike for me, will you? I don’t want to ruin their night.”
She turns, hurrying away before I can think of anything else to say.
I watch her leave, fleeing the ball like Cinderella at midnight.
With a sigh, I slump into a chair near the fire.
I shouldn’t have kissed her. The night was just starting, and I ruined everything.
Earlier, when I saw Bella and Steven talking, I thought he was going to make things worse for her.
Instead, it seems as though I’m the one who made it worse.
I rushed things.
I got caught up in the moment and forgot myself. And yes, Bella kissed me back. She was caught up in the moment, too.
That doesn’t mean that I can just ignore my own fault in this.
As I watch the fire, I’m caught up in fresh determination. Everything Bella has said tonight makes sense.
She needs time. And if I’m any sort of friend, I’ll give her that time.
Besides, I’m not in a position yet where I want a steady relationship.
Time is what we need. Hopefully, we’ll have the chance in the future.
If not, then I want to look back at Castleton with fondness, not regrets.