Winning Her Heart

by Emma Kingsley

  Aidan looked at the ocean, his brows knitting together. “With you,” he added, looking back to her.

  “I’m sorry about your knee.”

  “Thanks.” He hesitated, his face becoming unreadable. “I can’t decide if it’s the worst thing that ever happened to me or the best.”

  Nicole cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m not—okay, here’s the thing. Tennis used to be—I guess you could say my everything. And now I don’t have it. At all. I could probably teach it, but I’m never going to be pro again. I mean, it was my everything, Nicole. My everything. It’s how I knew who I was. It’s how I knew I was worthy. It’s how I made my dad happy. And then, with it taken away—it was, like, all of a sudden, I didn’t even exist. That’s what it felt like.”

  “That sounds scary.”

  “It was at first, but now it feels—I don’t know.”

  “Good?”

  He looked at her for a long time. “Maybe.”

  Nicole nodded. “Can I ask you something really personal?”

  “Anything,” he said, his face serious.

  “Do you remember your mom?”

  “No. I wish I did.”

  Aidan looked so sad Nicole regretted bringing the subject up.

  “I’m sorry. I should have been more tactful.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m here hanging out with you after chasing you for days. You might as well have given me a truth serum. I think I’d tell you about anything right now.”

  Nicole laughed. “Okay. Good. I was worried I made you feel uncomfortable.”

  “No,” Aidan said, eyes sparkling. “I don’t mind talking about my mom. It’s just so sad that I don’t remember her, because I know she loved me. Even if I don’t have memories, part of who I am is because of her. Those first two years of a person’s life are important, and she was there to shape me for them. I do know this about her. She was kind, generous, and loving. My brothers told me she and my dad were really in love. Even as little kids, Kyle and Jake could see it.”

  There was a twinge in Nicole’s chest. “That’s really sweet.”

  He exhaled long. “Yeah. I wish knowing that helped me understand my dad more. Why he’s so invested in me making him happy. I tell myself it’s because he’s trying to redirect his pain over losing my mom, but I don’t know.”

  “You don’t think that’s the case?” Nicole asked.

  “It might be true, but I don’t know if that makes me change how I feel.”

  “Your dad is hardcore, it seems.”

  “Some people would call that an understatement.”

  Nicole trailed her fingers across a little mound of sand. “I wonder what it’s like to grow up with two parents who are in love. Or who even just like each other.”

  Aidan laughed. “Yours never did?”

  Nicole scrunched her nose. “I don’t even know why they got married in the first place. I never remember them being particularly happy. My dad was always gone, and when he was home they’d fight. About stupid stuff, too. Like one of them forgetting to bring the mail in or something. It was crazy.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s not something a kid should have to see.”

  “Plenty of kids see much worse,” Nicole pointed out.

  “True.”

  Nicole wiped the sand off her palms and leaned forward. “So where are your brothers now? You said they want nothing to do with the entertainment business, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Smart guys,” she grinned.

  Aidan laughed. “Jake lives in L.A. and does web development. He’s kinda like the tough, ladies’ man, single guy of the family. He loves living on his own. Kyle is in Austin. He has a bicycle repair shop and he just got married.”

  “Are you all different from each other?”

  “Kyle and Jake are smarter.”

  Nicole giggled. “Stop.”

  “You think I’m being self-deprecating to be funny?”

  “I don’t know,” Nicole said, still laughing.

  Aidan’s face grew serious. “Honestly, though, they’re both great guys. They were always there for me when I was a kid. They let me follow them around and hang out with them and their friends. Good bros. I’m really lucky when it comes to them.”

  Nicole tilted her head. “That seems nice…having siblings.”

  “You have the only child syndrome?”

  “Explain that, please. You mean, like, am I spoiled?”

  “Nah, you’re anything but spoiled.”

  The intense way Aidan looked at her then made electricity shoot through Nicole. A lump formed in her throat and she swallowed against it, not sure what to say next, but just knowing she wanted to sit on that blanket with Aidan until the tide came in, the sun set, and they had no choice but to go home.

  “Incoming!” Mikey called.

  The football hit the blanket, making Nicole jerk back.

  “Was that intentional?” Aidan asked as Mikey and Lauren jogged up.

  “Yeah.” Mikey gasped, dropping to the blanket. “I wanted to kill any romance that might have been happening over here. Pass me some water, will you?”

  Aidan handed them both bottles. As they busied themselves with drinking, he gave Nicole a smile—one meant only for her. Nicole grinned back, that familiar heat on her cheeks. Except, this time, she had no desire to hide the blush. She wanted Aidan to know what he did to her.

  “Ugh.” Mikey dropped back onto the blanket, his face toward the sky. “I don’t want to get on that plane tomorrow.”

  “You’re leaving tomorrow?” Lauren asked.

  Nicole’s mouth went dry and her stomach dropped faster than an anchor. Somehow, she’d managed to ignore the fact that Aidan’s stay in Florida was that short-lived.

  “Yeah,” Aidan answered slowly. He looked over at Nicole, likely searching for her reaction, but she turned her face away from him.

  “When will you guys be in Los Angeles next? Will it by any chance be next week?” Aidan asked. He made it seem like a joke, which made the whole thing hurt that much more.

  “I never go there,” Nicole answered.

  “Ah,” was all Aidan said.

  Mikey continued to stare up at the sky and Lauren frowned as she looked between Aidan and Nicole.

  “Cali is great,” Lauren said. “Nic, we should plan a trip there for this fall. Or even next month.”

  Next month. Would Aidan be single then? Nicole didn’t think so. The man was simply stunning. She couldn’t imagine pursuing a long-distance thing with someone so desirable. How would she be able to compete with all the women who probably threw themselves at him nonstop back in L.A.?

  It looked like her initial apprehension had been right. Trying anything with him was just a bad idea. For all she knew, he was only looking for a quick fling, anyway. And she certainly didn’t do those. Never had. Never would.

  “I’m going swimming,” Nicole announced, standing up.

  “I’m in,” Aidan answered.

  The four of them rushed into the water, Nicole making a point to look at anything but Aidan. So he was leaving the next day. All right. It just meant she would be forced to move past him sooner. As she tried to convince herself that she could do that, she suddenly felt her chest tighten with sadness.

  CHAPTER 12

  AIDAN

  Aidan sat in the rented house’s living room, his feet propped up on the coffee table and his phone in his lap. The sounds of the waves came in through the open patio door and his dad’s voice crashed in from the kitchen.

  Nine AM. Rick was already on his fifth phone call for the day. Mikey had woken before sunrise, ran on the beach, and packed in about ten minutes. And Aidan…Aidan had done almost nothing except stare at his phone.

  He tapped his thumb against the side of its case, conflicting ideas and impulses twisting through him like snakes. He’d wanted to text Nicole before he even woke up, swearing that he’d heard her voice in his sleep. Opening his eyes,
he’d half-expected her to be there in front of him. But, of course, she wasn’t.

  The day before had been amazing. Even after a few hours at the beach, he’d wanted to stay at Nicole’s side. Only Mikey’s complaints about being tired and Nicole’s insistence that she needed to go home and get ready for work the next day separated them. If it hadn’t been such a crazy proposition, Aidan would have offered to come with her and help her with whatever she needed.

  Wild as it was, nonsensical as it was, Aidan had gotten a good taste of Nicole Carson and he never wanted to be away from her side again.

  Mikey came into the living room, planting his hands on his hips and looking around. “I think we got everything,” he said.

  Aidan shrugged.

  Mikey inhaled sharply between his teeth. “Look—”

  “The car will be here in five,” Aidan’s dad interrupted, entering the room and sliding his phone into his pocket. “You two ready?”

  “Ready,” Mikey said. “Bags are by the door.”

  “Actually...” Aidan trailed off as they both looked at him, their combined attention feeling like a hot interrogation light. “I was thinking I might stay.”

  His dad stared at him, blinking.

  “I really like it here,” Aidan added. “And it’s not like I have any obligations in L.A.”

  Rick’s face turned red. “There’s a jet waiting for you. A private one.”

  “I didn’t order that, Dad,” Aidan said calmly. “You did.”

  “You always fly private.” His Adam’s apple bobbed.

  “I know, and maybe I should stop. It’s a big waste of money.”

  Rick’s eyes cut to Mikey. “Are you in on this?”

  Mikey put his hands up like he was being held at gun point.

  “Mikey and I haven’t talked about this at all,” Aidan said, taking his feet off the coffee table and leaning forward on the couch cushion. “It’s something that’s been on my mind.”

  His dad’s eyes narrowed. “On your mind? I have to tell you, Aidan, I’ve been listening to the things you’ve been saying lately and it seems like your mind is all scrambled. You’re not thinking straight.”

  Aidan’s fingers tightened around his phone. Years ago—even one year ago—he might have stood up and yelled at his dad, but something was different now. He knew that, no matter how aggressive anyone else got, it wouldn’t help at all if he himself became angry.

  And so he just looked back at his father, focusing on breathing. One inhale. One exhale. Repeat.

  “It’s what I want to do, Dad,” he answered firmly.

  Rick ran his palm over his face and turned away. Aidan glanced at Mikey, who raised his eyebrows.

  “Actually,” Mikey said, “I think it sounds like a good idea. If Aidan is staying, then I will, too.”

  “Aidan has responsibilities back in L.A., Mikey. He’s not staying.”

  Aidan scoffed. “What responsibilities?”

  “You have meetings.”

  “With that reality network? No, Dad. I’m not doing that.”

  “Don’t say no until you’ve at least had a meeting with them, all right? It’s foolish to turn it down without even talking to them.”

  Aidan raked his fingers through his hair and looked to the window. Beyond the glass, the sky was a brilliant blue, fluffy white clouds floating lazily around. There was sky back in California. Clouds, too. And warm weather.

  But there was no Nicole, and if Aidan didn’t take this one chance God gave him to make things happen with her, she could very well slip through his fingers and be gone forever. He’d lost so much already. His whole life had been upended in one moment. Now that he’d finally met someone who made him think and feel things in a new way, he wasn’t giving up that easily.

  “I’m staying,” Aidan affirmed, looking back to his father. “I love you, Dad, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I’m staying here. That’s final.”

  Someone knocked on the front door. Rick shot quick looks at the two of them.

  “I’ll see you both back in L.A. once you’ve come to your senses,” he said. Turning on his heel, he went into the foyer, snatched up his bags, and left the house.

  Aidan’s ears rang. He pressed his palms together. They were hotter than expected. Was his whole face burning as well?

  “So,” Mikey said, “Are we going to keep renting this place or what?”

  CHAPTER 13

  NICOLE

  Gordon bent over the desk, adjusted his glasses, and fixed his gaze on the computer.

  “There.” He pointed at movement in the corner of the screen. “There were two rabbits. Did you see them?”

  “I did,” Amelia answered. “The second one, though—it looked somewhat scrawny, no?”

  Nicole looked at where her boss had pointed, trying to focus. A few days ago, one of the cameras in the marsh picking up two rabbits together would have made her cry from joy. Today, seeing the animals made her mildly happy, but that was all.

  Something else was on her mind and she didn’t know when she would start feeling normal again.

  Saying goodbye to Aidan the day before had been one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do. The fact that they hadn’t even known each other a whole week made it all the more ridiculous. How was it even possible to be so captivated by someone she’d just met? And they hadn’t given each other any promises, other than, ‘let’s stay in touch.’ As if random texts and video chats would keep a connection going.

  Nicole dropped back from the desk, stepping closer to Gordon’s open office door. The other two were still chatting away and she took the opportunity to lean in the doorway and mull over things.

  Thinking about Aidan while at work was going to make her tear up. Maybe she could volunteer to go out and check on the cameras again or something. Anything to get some fresh air and space.

  The building’s front door opened and Nicole looked over as a man carrying a vase of red roses walked in. He stopped and talked to Marie at the front desk, then looked right at Nicole. He crossed the main room, heading for her.

  “Nicole Carson?” he asked.

  “Yes?” She straightened up.

  “These are for you.” He unceremoniously handed her the vase of roses. “Oh, and this.”

  Passing her a card as well, he turned and strode from the building.

  “You got flowers!” Amelia exclaimed, leaving the computer screen. She gently cupped one of the roses and inhaled deep.

  “I guess.” Nicole’s heart pounded. Was this Aidan’s way of saying goodbye?

  “Open the card,” Amelia said.

  Nicole bit the inside of her cheek. Reading a goodbye note from Aidan in front of the whole office seemed like a bad idea. The first word itself would likely undermine her whole Not-Breaking-Down-At-Work plan.

  “Do you have an admirer?” Gordon asked.

  Nicole took a deep breath. Now she couldn’t not open the card.

  “Hold these, please.” She handed the vase to Amelia and broke the envelope’s seal.

  The card was white, with gold trim and a painting of the beach on its front. Holding her breath, Nicole flipped it open, both afraid and thrilled to read it.

  She glanced at the signature at the very bottom.

  “It’s from Aidan,” she confirmed.

  “Well, who else would it be from?” Amelia teased.

  Nicole was too nervous to think of answering. Clearing her throat, she read in a low voice. “Nicole, so—surprise! I’m still in town. I will be for a while—at least I’m hoping. As it turns out, I might be as in love with this town as you are. Or maybe it’s the people here that I can’t seem to leave.”

  She paused, her face burning and her heart feeling like it had spouted wings.

  “Oh, wow.” Amelia sighed, squeezing Nicole’s shoulder.

  At the desk, Gordon tapped away on the keyboard, but Nicole could tell by his cocked head that he was listening.

  “Is there more?” Amel
ia asked.

  “Please, have dinner with me tonight. Meet me at that little restaurant where we bumped into each other. Seven PM. Aidan.”

  Amelia let out a light squeal. “That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever seen. At least that wasn’t in a movie.”

  Nicole tried to bite back her smile, but it was no use. Aidan was staying in town! But why? Was it solely because of her?

  “If he’s here for me, that’s a lot of pressure,” she said, twisting the card around in her hands.

  “That’s on him.” Amelia set the vase on the long desk in the main area and turned back to face Nicole. “You didn’t ask him to stay here for you, right?”

  “Of course I didn’t,” Nicole nearly cried.

  Amelia’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “He really likes you, girl. It looks like we’re going to have to wrap up work early today.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because we have a date to get you ready for.”

  Nicole dropped her face and pushed her fingers against her lips, embarrassed to be smiling so much. In her back pocket, her cell started buzzing. Slipping Aidan’s card into her other pocket, she pulled the phone out. Was it Aidan looking to confirm the date?

  But no. It was her mother calling. Not only that, but the bar across the top of the phone showed several missed calls—all of which were, no doubt, from her.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Hurrying down the hall, Nicole slipped into the bathroom. Normally, she wouldn’t take personal calls at work. She hadn’t spoken with her mom in two days, though, and if she didn’t answer right then, the calls would only keep coming.

  “Hi, Mom,” Nicole whispered into the phone the second the bathroom door shut.

  “Oh, thank goodness you’re all right!”

  Nicole leaned against the sink. “Yeah, I’m fine,” she said, making sure to keep her voice low. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Because I called you three times and you didn’t answer.”