Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Aiden
I woke in the gray light of predawn. Katie lay curled up next to me, her hair fanned out on the pillow.
Just looking at her made my heart ache. Her hand rested by her cheek, fingers twitching as though reaching for something in a dream.
I considered how I was going to wake her up this time.
When she let out a soft, barely audible mewling sound, I hardened in reaction, slowly pulling the sheet down to expose a hip in need of kisses.
I couldn’t get enough of her, couldn’t touch enough, couldn’t taste enough. I could do this. I could . For Katie, I could try again. For her, I’d do anything.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Before it woke Katie, I grabbed it and glanced at the screen.
Alice.
My stomach dropped. What the hell did she want? I slid out of bed and picked up my clothes in the dark. I couldn’t think about Alice in Katie’s fairy bower.
Balancing on one foot and then the other, I dressed quickly in the hall and then went downstairs and out the front door, stopping on the porch steps. I pulled my phone back out of my pocket and opened the text.
Alice: Aiden, I’ve missed you so much! I think I just got scared.
I was so consumed with making you happy, I felt like I was losing myself.
I know. That probably sounds dumb, but the closer we got to the wedding, the more distant and alone I felt.
I think I just went a little crazy. I’m so sorry!
I never stopped loving you. I think about you every day and kick myself for hurting you and running away.
Please, I want to come home. Are you still my home?
Blowing out a harsh breath, I shook my head, jogging to the truck. I needed to get out of here to clear my head. I was driving down the road where Katie had stopped in the middle of the night when she first returned—I could almost smell the grape soda—when my phone began to ring. Alice.
If I didn’t answer, she’d just keep calling. Once Alice dug in, she was relentless. I pulled over to the cliff side of the road and tapped the phone screen.
“Aiden?” Her voice was deep and breathy, the way it was early in the morning when she was warm and soft and I’d pull her close.
“Why are you calling me?” I pushed out of the car. I needed the icy wind blowing off the ocean. Unfortunately, it didn’t cool the humiliation coursing through me. I was finally shaking her ghost off, and here she was, back to haunt me.
“You read my text,” she said, sounding hurt. “You know why. I love you and want to come home. I can’t do this without you.”
Watching the sky lighten in the pre-dawn, I asked, “Can’t do what exactly?”
“Any of it. I miss your arms when you hug me, your lips when?—”
“Stop. I’m not an idiot. Did he dump you? Is that what this is?” And I’d thought returning the ring had been a new low.
“Who?” Her voice went up like it always did when she lied. “There’s no one else. I’d never do that to you. I just got scared—a case of cold feet—but I’m better now. I know exactly what I want, and it was what I had with you. Please, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll?—”
“Stop talking.” I ran my fingers through my hair.
“Do you honestly think this is going to work? You cheated and then ran off with him.” She sputtered but I ignored her and continued.
“Do you know how many men pulled me aside after you left to tell me you’d hit on them?
Apparently being left at the altar with all the bills for a wedding that never happened wasn’t enough.
Nope. I had to hear about how you were always running your hands over other men, leaning too close, but how they respected me too much to act on it. ”
“That’s a lie. I’d never do that. You know how much I’ve always loved you. They’re just jealous.” Her voice had taken on the wheedling tone she used when she wanted something.
I laughed, but there was no humor. “Of what? Do you think anyone is jealous of having a lying, cheating partner? Pity. That’s what they felt. Pity for the idiot left holding the bills while you took off with a rich guy.”
“How could you say that to me?” she whined. “Why are you being so mean? I devoted myself to?—”
“Enough,” I shouted. “I’m a fucking cop.
You really didn’t think I’d find out who you were cheating with, who you dumped me for?
You probably should have done some of your own research, huh?
He’s rich, sure, but he also has a wife.
Did you think he was going to leave her for you? ” I scoffed. “They never do.”
“Aiden—”
“I’m done now,” I said, my head lifted to the wind. “With this conversation. With you. Don’t come back. Bar Harbor is a small town, and everyone knows exactly who you are now.”
She was quiet for a moment, no doubt calling an audible and changing the game plan. “I want my ring! It’s mine and I deserve it for putting up with your pathetic ass for so long. You’re right. I was looking for better,” she sneered. “I didn’t want to tie myself to someone so mid.”
I choked out a laugh that sounded mean even to my own ears.
“The ring has been returned. I’m going to block you in a minute, but before I do, know that if you ever try to come at me again, I’ll be suing you for half of all the money I had to lay out to pay for that wedding that never was.
You owe me tens of thousands of dollars. ”
Click.
Yeah. That’s what I thought. I walked around the front of the truck, looking up the road toward Katie’s house. What the hell was I doing? Had I learned nothing?
I got in and started the engine. I’d loved Alice. I’d thought we were going to grow old together, surrounded by our kids and grandkids. I’d thought she felt the same. She’d said as much and I, like a fool, believed her.
No. I was shutting this shit down with Katie. Doing the same thing but expecting a different result was the definition of crazy, wasn’t it? Alice had burned the trust and love right out of me. Hollow people didn’t belong in relationships.
Kate
I woke to the first hints of pink light filtering through the filmy sheers on the windows.
Stretching, I felt a twinge of soreness, spurring memories of the night before.
Aiden and I couldn’t get enough of each other.
As soon as we settled down to sleep, one of us would kiss or stroke the other, playfulness turning quickly to mindless passion, lust turning to something much deeper.
I got very little rest, but it was the most profoundly erotic night of my life.
I shifted, cautiously looking over my shoulder for Aiden.
He wasn’t there. Chaucer was snoring on the floor by the door, which meant Aiden wasn’t downstairs making coffee either or Chaucer would be with him, trying to mooch food.
I spied the nightstand and bureau. No notes.
It was early Sunday morning. Where had he gone?
I slid my hand over to the other side of the bed. It was cold. Aiden had left a while ago. Grabbing my phone, I dialed his cell first. When I received no answer, I texted.
Me: Morning! We never discussed terms of endearment.
Are you good with Scooter Pie because I’ve always wanted a fella I could call Scooter Pie.
Listen, Scooter Pie, you should have told me you needed to work today.
I almost feel bad for keeping you up all night.
Almost. How about if I bring you muffins this morning? What’s your favorite kind?
When he didn’t get back to me right away, I decided to take a quick shower and then start baking. If he was too busy to respond, he’d get what he got.
An hour later, I packed up a basket of chocolate chip and pecan muffins and headed into town. The little parking lot at the police station was mostly empty, but Aiden’s truck was there. When I walked in, there was a new person at the front desk, an older woman.
“Hi, I’m Kate. I’m here to see Aiden. Is he available?”
She nodded, picking up the phone. “Let me check, dear. You can have a seat if you’d like.”
When she hung up, she said, “I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting.”
“I don’t want to bother him. Could you just give him these?” I placed the basket on her desk. “They’re still warm, so he should eat one soon.” I waved over my shoulder on my way out. “Have a good one.”
I left my car in the lot, wandering down Main Street, window-shopping and feeling very lucky in my new life. I grinned, thinking about Aiden’s butt. He had an amazing butt, and I could totally grab it anytime I felt like it. Mostly. You know, not while he was on duty or anything.
I was considering the possibilities of other girlfriend perks when I realized I was standing in front of Mo’s shop. She had a gorgeous watercolor wraparound dress displayed in the window. I wondered if it would look good on me, if Aiden would like it.
I saw movement inside the darkened store.
The silhouette of a woman waved. I waved back, hoping it was Mo and not a thief.
That’d be awkward. It occurred to me, as I watched Mo walk toward the door, that I liked Aiden’s family, too, and they liked me.
The joy I was feeling turned warm and fuzzy.
A real family that loved each other and wanted to spend time together. I missed that so much.
Mo was just opening the door when I heard my name shouted. I turned to find Aiden jogging toward me. He’d said he wanted to be my fella, and he seemed to mean it.
I moved toward him. He stopped, but I kept going, walking into him, hugging him tightly. “Did you run all this way to thank me for the muffins?” I tilted my head back, my chin resting on his chest. “Did you like them?”
He looked aside, gripped my arms and pushed me away. His expression closed off.
“Are you allergic to pecans?” My head began to pound. “Am I not supposed to hug you when you’re on duty? My hands were nowhere near your butt. Honest.”
“I need to talk to you.”
My stomach dropped. “Okay.” I turned. Mo stood in the door, looking as confused as I felt.
“Go away,” he said to his sister.