I had shocked myself and told her what had occurred earlier—both this morning and when I spoke to Maddox. She had listened and offered her opinion on the subject.
“I understand what he’s saying. He’s worried about losing his family.” She sighed. “No one wants to be left behind, Aiden.”
Something about her words made my chest ache. She sounded sad.
“Did that happen to you, Sunshine?”
“My dad left us for a new family. He walked away as if we meant nothing. My mom—she never recovered.” She glanced away, brushing her cheek. “Dee stepped in and became my world. My rock. She’s always been there. My mom died when I was still young, but she had checked out long before that.”
“So they both left you.”
She inhaled slowly and patted my shoulder, meeting my gaze. The bereft look in her eyes made mine sting. “Yes. I understand how Maddox is feeling. You and Bentley need to make sure he understands. It’s important.”
“We will.” Unable to stop myself, I slid my arms around her, holding her close. She burrowed into my chest, her head under my chin. She was tall for a woman, but at 6’7”, I towered over her. It felt right somehow, offering comfort. She had done it for me so often; it was good to return the gesture.
We held each other silently for a minute. Then she pulled back with a smile. She still looked sad, but not as vulnerable as she had appeared. I hated seeing her that way—she was always strong.
“Why did you start calling me Sunshine?”
“It suits you. When you smile, you beam. Like a ray of sunshine.”
She held out her hand, giving me one of her beams. “Show me more.”
Grasping it, I grinned. “My pleasure.”
I showed her everything. Jed was home and told us to feel free to look around, and Mr. Wilcox was fine with us walking the property too. “Your Mr. Ridge said you were coming with an offer tomorrow. I have a feeling it won’t be ours much longer.”
I grinned and clapped his shoulder. He offered coffee, but I politely declined, making Cami giggle when I described the thick sludge he considered drinkable.
“We’ll be awake for days,” I assured her.
When we got back to Mrs. C’s porch, there was a plate waiting, piled high with oatmeal raisin cookies under the plastic wrap. “Now, these I can recommend.”
She bit into one with a hum. “Delicious.”
We sat, enjoying the view and watching the sun disappear. The light faded, the view of the horizon diminishing, yet it was still beautiful. The warm air was calming, the water lapping against the shore and the breeze swirling around us the only sounds. After finishing the cookies, we strolled to the car. We glanced out over the water, hardly able to see where it started and the night sky began. The twinkling light of the stars was the only difference.
“Thank you for bringing me here.”
I was shocked by how much I had enjoyed the evening. Part of me had thought I would get her there and fuck her on the beach or in the back seat of my car to ease the stress. But I was strangely content with her quiet company. Her mere presence smoothed the rough edges that kept me tense all day. It was an unusual feeling for me. However, I was sincere when I replied.
“Thank you for coming.”
Our eyes locked in the dimness. Her green irises were bright and open. Without a thought, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. Her mouth was soft underneath mine. She tasted like cinnamon and sweetness. Like Cami.
Like home, a voice whispered.
I pulled her closer, intensifying the kiss. She wound her arms around my neck, teasing my hair, and sighing into my mouth. There was no groping or rushing. Only sensation.
The coolness of the night air. The feel of her curves molded to my body. The silkiness of her hair fisted in my hand.
The total, complete rightness of the moment.
Until she spoke, her quiet words like a shotgun blast in my head. The same words used before that were nothing but a lie that almost destroyed me.
“I care about you, Aiden. I care about you so much.”
Cami
I opened another drawer, searching in vain for my scarf. It wasn’t here. It wasn’t anywhere. I racked my brain, trying to remember when I had worn it last. I hurried down the hall, knocking on Dee’s door.
“Come in,” she called.
I poked my head inside. She was pulling on a blazer, appearing put-together and professional as she always did when heading into the office.
“Hey, you didn’t by chance borrow my scarf? The yellow one with the irises on it?”
She smiled indulgently. “No, I didn’t. Can’t find it?”
I opened the door wider and leaned on the frame. “No. I’m having a streak of bad luck. First my favorite umbrella, now my scarf.”
“Bad luck comes in threes. Watch out. Goodness knows what you’ll lose next.”
She snapped her fingers. “You had it on last week when your project group was here.”
“Right. Maybe it slipped between the cushions on the sofa.” I ran to the living room, checking the sofa and chair, searching under the cushions and on the floor.
Dee came in, laying her briefcase on the table. “No luck?”
“No.”
“Maybe you wore it one day to school, and it’s in your locker?”
“It wasn’t there when I looked for my umbrella.”
She poured us each a cup of coffee and sat down across from me. She patted my hand. “I’m sure you’ll find it.”
She studied me over the rim of her cup. “What’s wrong, baby sister? You look exhausted. I heard you pacing in the night.”
“I couldn’t sleep. Big project on my mind. I worked on it for a while.” Not wanting her to continue, I changed the subject. “How’s your research?”
“Oh, what a mess. This clan has more issues than the royal family. They’re fighting over everything in the will, including property. The whole thing is quite the situation. It’s not simply land out west. They have some all over the country, and it’s like a free-for-all with disputes.” She shook her head. “I should never have recommended Bill Winston to Bentley. Since Bentley hired him away from the firm, I’ve lost the lawyer with the most knowledge about property law and land disputes. I find his replacement . . . lacking.”
I smiled. Bentley had decided to hire a permanent in-house lawyer and asked Dee for a recommendation. Once he and Aiden had interviewed Bill, an offer came fast, and Bill was happily ensconced in his new office at BAM. He was everything they needed: trustworthy, dependable, and loyal. After what happened with Greg, they were taking no chances. Bill had his own department, and he told Dee he loved his new job. His wife did too, since he was home more with her and the kids.
“I’m sure Bentley would have no objection to you picking Bill’s brain for a few hours. He kinda owes you.”
She laughed. “I am going to call him today. No one knows property law like Bill. He’ll help me sort through some of the details so I know what to do next and craft my recommendations.”
“When do you expect it to wrap up?”
“I have no idea. I’m away for several days next week to do some more research in Calgary. I’m hoping soon, though.”
“I miss having you around.”
She stood and kissed my head. “Me too, kiddo. But it will be over soon, and maybe we can do a trip or something. The three of us girls. A weekend away, maybe? Somewhere fun?”
“I’d like that. Emmy would too, I’m sure.”
“Okay, you talk to her about it, and we’ll plan it as soon as this is done. My treat. I’m getting a bonus for this work.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. When you’re a hotshot clothing designer, you can treat me.”
She left with a wave. As soon as the door shut, I slumped in my seat, pulling my phone from my pocket. My last text to Aiden sat unanswered.
I don’t know what I said to upset you, but I am sorry. Please talk to me.
Silently, he led me to the car, waiting until I buckled up before shutting the door. He stood by his door briefly, his shoulders slumped, inhaling deeply. Then he slid in, started the car, and drove us back to Toronto. After changing the station, he turned up the music and was utterly silent. I tried to figure out what to say, but every time I looked at his profile, the tense set of his jaw warned me to stay quiet. At my building, he shut off the engine, the silence screaming between us.
“Aiden, I—”
He held up his hand. “Thank you for coming with me tonight. I’ll watch you walk in.”
“But—”
Once again, he interrupted me. “Good night, Cami.” Then he leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to my head.
It felt like goodbye.
I hesitated, then opened the door. I hunched down and looked at him, my voice filled with regret. “That was one of the nicest evenings I’ve had in a long time, Aiden. I’m sorry I ruined it.”
He shook his head, not meeting my eyes. “You didn’t. This is on me.” He fell silent.
Defeated, I shut the door and walked up the steps, dragging my feet. The tears in my eyes made finding the keyhole difficult. Finally, the key slid in, and I opened the door, shutting it tight behind me.
His car pulled away, leaving me alone and confused.
I hadn’t slept all night, the evening playing on a loop in my head. The way he smiled. How my hand felt wrapped in his. How small and protected I felt when he held me. The emotion in his kiss.
The pain in his eyes. I would never forget the anguish.
I sat, lost in my thoughts, startling when my phone buzzed with a text from Emmy, reminding me about meeting for coffee. Glancing at the clock, I knew I wasn’t going to make it. At that point, I’d be lucky to make class on time. I stood, feeling drained, and wished I could just stay home and hide for the day in bed. I didn’t have that luxury, though. Returning to my bedroom, I grabbed my purple scarf, wrapped it around my neck, remembering Dee’s words.
“Bad luck comes in threes. Watch out. Goodness knows what you’ll lose next.”
I had a feeling I’d already lost my three.
My umbrella, my scarf, and the biggest loss of all—Aiden.
“Are you listening to me?”
I glanced up from my cold coffee, shaking my head to clear it. I blinked at Louisa, trying in desperation to pick up the thread of our conversation.
Or lecture was more like it.
She wasn’t happy I’d been late. I’d already postponed coffee once, and I knew I couldn’t miss another date. She had sulked the entire time at our project group at my place last week until I made a point of asking her for coffee this time. Then she settled in and worked, even helping to serve coffee and insisting on staying behind and tidying up. I had to admit, when she wasn’t being whiny or stuck-up, she could be pleasant. But that wasn’t very often. She liked to complain—the way she was right at that moment.
“I mean, really, why drag me out for coffee if you are going to ignore me? Good friends don’t do that.”
It was on the tip of my tongue to remind her I hadn’t dragged her anywhere and that we were school chums, not good friends. But it seemed unkind. So I patted her hand and smiled apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Louisa. I didn’t sleep well last night, and today I lost my favorite scarf, couldn’t locate my notes in my locker, missed Emmy this morning, and was late for class. I’m a bit distracted.”
“Is Emmy angry with you?”
I shrugged. “Annoyed a little, but she knows I had a bad morning. I just hate letting her down.”
“She should be more understanding.”
“It was my fault.” I defended Emmy. “And she’s fine.”
Louisa blinked. “Oh. Okay.” She blurted out, “You can borrow my notes.”
“Really?”
“Sure.” She dug into her bag. “I’m like you. I still write them out.”
I took her notebook, flipping through it. The book was precise. “Wow, your handwriting is so neat. Mine looks like chicken scratch.”
“I rewrite them all. I like them neat.”
“Ah, that explains it. I’ll copy them and give this back to you.” I went to grab my bag and knocked over my cup, spilling coffee everywhere.
I gasped and she shrieked, jumping up to avoid the coffee.
“Oh no, my notes!”
“I’m so sorry.” I grabbed some tissues, lifting the notebook, blotting up the liquid. “Look, it’s not too bad, just the cover, and the edge of the paper. I’ll replace it, okay?”
“Fine,” she huffed. “But you should take better care of other people’s things.”
I scowled. “It was an accident.” I offered her the book, not liking her tone. “I’ll ask someone else if you prefer.”
Her expression changed from sullen and pissed to contrite. “No, it’s fine. It’s just a book, right? Keep it and use it. I’ll start a fresh one since it’s ruined.” She stood, picking up her knapsack. “I’ll get that from you on Monday. You can give me a new one when we have coffee again next week.” She hurried away with a fast wave over her shoulder, leaving me confused.
When had I agreed to coffee next week?
I glanced down at the “ruined” notebook. A few splashes of coffee on the cover. I flipped through the pages. None of the notes were affected.
With a sigh, I stood and added it to my bag. Everyone was different. If a new fifty-cent notebook made her happy, I would get her one. I’d also tell her I wasn’t having coffee with her next week.
No doubt, she’d be angry with me.
But that wasn’t anything new for me lately.
Especially not today.
Aiden
MADDOX LOOKED PERPLEXED and tapped the pages in front of him. “This is more than we discussed, Bentley.”
Bent ran a hand through his hair. “I know. Not a lot, though.”
“No, but why, if I may ask?”
He and Bentley had talked and cleared the air. I let them do it in private, knowing Maddox needed that, the same way he had with me. I had no doubt Bentley had been as surprised as I was to find out how Maddox had been feeling. However, he had assured Maddox nothing was further from the truth, and we were not moving away or leaving him out. We spoke afterward, and we all made a commitment to see each other more often—the way we used to. It was only when I thought about it that I realized I had missed the time we used to spend just hanging as friends, watching a movie or game in Bentley’s media room, or working out together.
We were looking over the final offers for the lakefront properties. I had already seen them, so I knew about the figures. I looked forward to Maddox’s reaction to the reasoning behind the increased offers.
“I told Emmy about my ideas and the people we met and why they’re selling their property.” He lifted one shoulder. “She was touched by the stories.”
“And?”
He rubbed his face roughly. “She told me this was their life savings and not to underpay them.”
“Our offer was fair market value.”
“And this isn’t much over the value. I—we—can afford it. You can charge me the difference if I buy the property.”
Maddox looked at the papers, then at me, a smile already tugging on his lips. I needed the amusement today. “So the girl who insists you use a coupon at Swiss Chalet had no issue with you losing a few hundred grand to a business deal.”
“I’m aware it’s
unusual.”
“Are you aware you are totally pussy-whipped?” Maddox responded dryly.
He started to laugh. I joined in, then after he glared at us, so did Bentley.
“Cut me some slack. I can’t say no to that girl,” Bentley huffed. “She won’t let me spend money on her, so if this makes her happy and she thinks I’m a better person, I don’t care.”
Maddox wiped his eyes. “Life is so much more interesting now that she’s around.”
“Amen to that.”
I pulled out my phone. “Can I call Jed and tell him we’re sending them an offer?”
Maddox shut the file. “Yes. Tell him he’ll be pleased.”
“Good, Emmy. You’ve been practicing.”
She nodded enthusiastically, wild tendrils of hair swirling around her face. She was sweating hard, and her cheeks glowed red from exertion. She looked proud of herself.
“I’ve been using Bentley’s gym every day.”
I heard him snort in the corner. “Every day,” he agreed. “My last Emmy-free zone gone. Boom!” He chuckled.
“I don’t use your den.”
“Much.”
“Well, your sofa is comfortable. It smells like you in there, and I like it.”
He stood, shut his laptop, and sauntered over. There was an expression of adoration on his face as he tucked one of her stray curls behind her ear. “I like it when you’re in there too.”
“I like it when I distract you.” She winked.
He leaned down, brushing his lips to hers. “I like that too. That’s the best part.”
“Okay, enough.” I clapped my hands. “I don’t need you eye-fucking each other in my place.”
“We’re not eye-fucking,” Bentley retorted.
“Yeah, Tree Trunk. We’re planning. There’s a difference.”
I groaned and laughed, despite my mood. It had been dark for the past few days. Even the news that the sellers had accepted our offers for the lake property hadn’t cheered me up.
I wasn’t surprised Cami hadn’t shown up tonight with Emmy. I hadn’t responded to her texts or spoken with her since the night at the lake.
Aiden ~ Melanie Moreland Page 7
