Chapter 3 #2
Maybe it would take a few.
That was unheard of.
Maybe the ride on that bronc last week had knocked a few screws loose, because he was actually considering asking for her number. To heck with it. That was exactly what he was going to do.
“Let me take you out,” he murmured.
Her eyes widened. “We only just met. Don’t you think we should…”
He took a half step closer, careful to leave her room to move away if she wanted to.
“I want to get to know you a little better. And last time I checked, that meant going on a date.” He gave her an easy smile.
“Besides, you seem to already know more about me than I do about you. It’s only fair we even the playing field. ”
She grinned nervously.
For one second, he thought she might turn him down. But then she pulled out her phone.
He glanced down at the same moment she unlocked it and caught sight of a familiar face.
No. Way. Reese Crawley.
Aiden stared at the smiling face of his best friend from high school, and suddenly, he felt sick.
This was the girl. The one Reese had said he’d had to walk away from. The one he was still on good terms with. A sliver of jealousy ate at Aiden unexpectedly, sharp and immediate. But it was quickly followed by something worse.
Doubt.
Doubt that he was good enough. Doubt that Lily would be interested in him if she hadn’t been able to stay interested in Reese. Doubt that he wouldn’t end up hurting the angel standing before him.
He should ask. Right now. He should say Reese’s name and clear up whatever this was before it became anything.
But then Lily placed her phone in his hand, open to the contact screen.
He glanced up at her and saw that hopeful, nervous smile. The way she bit her lower lip made his chest pull tight, not with the easy flirtation he was used to, but with something softer. Something that made him want to be careful.
He might regret this later.
No. He probably would regret it if he didn’t handle this right. But right now, all he could think about was how much he wanted to see where this could go. Aiden typed in his number. Then he texted himself.
Lily’s grin lit up her whole face. “I guess we’ll be seeing each other soon,” she murmured.
“Oh, this night’s not over yet,” Aiden said, holding out his hand. “We’re going to get in at least a couple dances.”
She didn’t even hesitate before placing her soft hand in his.
And for one reckless second, Aiden let himself pretend that it was going to be this simple.
Aiden watched Mathew from down the hall.
He wasn’t looking so great. This distance between him and River was getting to him. That much was clear by the way he dragged a hand down his face right before shoving his phone into his pocket.
Aiden could relate.
Sort of.
He strode toward Mathew, then leaned against the counter beside him. “Girl trouble?” He tore a bite out of the sandwich he’d gotten from the vending machine.
“How can you trust those things in a vending machine? If the refrigeration malfunctions, then you’re going to get sick.”
Mathew avoided the question.
Typical.
Aiden smirked as he continued to chew. Then he swallowed. “It’s a good thing I work at a hospital, then.”
He turned so his hip was propped against the counter.
No one else was in the break room, but that could change at any moment.
If he wanted to get this strange tightness off his chest, now was his chance.
He fidgeted, wondering how he could bring up his current predicament without Mathew figuring out it had to do with Reese.
Mathew frowned, and his voice lowered to an almost growl. “What’s wrong?”
Aiden pursed his lips together.
This was going to get really tricky. “So, I have this friend…”
Rolling his eyes, Mathew twisted around and grabbed for a mug to get some coffee. Clearly, he was more agitated than Aiden had given him credit for.
Ignoring Mathew’s attitude, Aiden continued. “And he’s interested in dating his friend’s—”
Mathew arched a brow and peeked at him over his shoulder, entirely unbothered about interrupting. “You better not say sister. I told you. Penny is off limits. Don’t even think about asking her out.”
Aiden winked at him, recalling the conversation he’d had with Penny at the club. Too bad Penny hadn’t agreed. Heaven knew Aiden could use a distraction.
“I was going to say ex, but okay.”
Grimacing, Mathew shook his head. “Victoria is definitely not worth the trouble, man. She’s…” He blew out a breath. “Just steer clear. And I’m not saying that for my benefit.”
Aiden grimaced at that statement. He’d heard plenty about Victoria. Nope, he was never going to go there. A frown pulled at his lips. Reese definitely had better taste in women.
“But if she was actually a decent person,” Aiden said slowly, “perfect even, and my friend had already accepted that it wasn’t going to work…” He avoided Mathew’s eyes.
Technically, Reese hadn’t moved on with someone else. But he had moved on in a way.
Right?
Aiden cleared his throat and forced himself to continue. “Do you think that would ruin the friendship?”
He hated that he couldn’t give more details. He hated even more that he didn’t know Reese like he used to. They’d just gotten back on good terms. He needed assurances that Reese wouldn’t throw him to the wolves.
Or maybe he needed someone to tell him not to take another step until he talked to Reese himself.
Mathew was quiet for a long moment. Then he blew out a breath, his voice turning hesitant. “If the friend had already moved on, and the girl in question was a decent person who made this other friend happy…” He shrugged. “Yeah, I’d say the guy should go for it.”
Aiden’s head snapped up. Surprise and hope seeped into his expression before he could stop them. Did this mean Mathew would have his back if everything with Reese came to a head?
The look on Mathew’s face reminded him he had to tread carefully. He couldn’t give himself away. It was out of character for him to be interested in anything serious. So he did what he did best.
He deflected.
“So, I can date your ex but not a member of your family, huh?”
Mathew threw him a flat look and grumbled, “I knew this wasn’t about your friend.”
Aiden tossed the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth and grinned. “Good to know you haven’t lost your ability to read people.”
He clapped Mathew on the shoulder and strode from the room. If Mathew thought his current situation was okay, then maybe Aiden didn’t have to worry. Except Mathew didn’t know the whole situation.
He pushed through the door and headed down the hall, Lily’s smile still bright in his mind. There was a very real possibility that nothing would come from Aiden’s fascination with Lily. They could go on one date. Maybe two. They could end on good terms, and no one would have to be the wiser.