Chapter Eleven
Aaron sat in his hotel room. What the hell was wrong with him? Ever since he’d come back, he’d done as much as possible to make it easy to leave. Not staying with family, trying to keep Jill and her daughter at arm’s length. And what did he have to show for it? Nothing.
He stared at his phone, willing Jill to call him back. Five unanswered calls and he was starting to worry. He had three days before the ceremony, and she hadn’t so much as bothered to give him a text back.
Just as he was about to dial her number once more, her name popped up on his screen.
His heart thudded against his rib cage as he answered the phone. “Hey there.”
“Hi.” Again, she had that quiet tone. That one word was a bucket of ice water to his face.
“You alive over there? I was starting to worry.” He said it as a joke, but when she didn’t respond right away, the back of his neck prickled.
She breathed out a loud sigh. “Yeah, I’m good. Just been busy with Emily.” He knew her schedule well enough by now to know she’d worked shifts at both her jobs the past couple of days. It wasn’t a lie, but she’d made time to talk to him when she was this swamped before. Something was wrong.
“What’s up?”
A long pause lapsed between them. “I can’t do this.” Her voice warbled on the last word.
“Do what?” There were a lot of things in play. The crazy fiddler her mother hired, the bright orange flowers they’d decided on, the fact that he still needed to find a ring with seventy-two hours to spare. “You’re going to have to be a little more specific.”
“Marry you.” She said the words in such a rush, that he wasn’t sure he heard her correctly the first time.
“What?”
“I appreciate everything you’ve done, and everything you put up with, especially my family, but I just don’t think it’s going to work out.”
“What do you mean? What about the will? What about us?”
She let out a bitter laugh, one he hadn’t heard from her before. “There is no us. It’s not real. I just think it’s better if we go our separate ways now. You have your job in D.C., and I’m busy with my kid.”
Where the hell was this coming from? Everything was going great between them. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No.” Her voice cracked, and he’d give anything to be able to reach through the phone and comfort her right now. “You’ve been amazing. But I think it’d be best for you to go back, especially now that everything’s settled with your dad.”
But I want to be with you. “This is ridiculous. What about your family? What about Emily? I thought you needed the money for her school?”
She cleared her throat, her words thick. “I’ll figure out something. It’s what I’ve been doing the past eight years.”
He wasn’t an idiot. He could read between the lines. What she meant was I don’t need you, Aaron. Fine. She wanted to do it on her own? He wasn’t going to force her into anything.
“So, this is it, then? You’re calling to tell me you don’t want to get married anymore.”
“Yes. Go back to D.C. Start your job. I’m sorry it had to be done over the phone, but I think it’s better this way.” A car door slammed on Jill’s end of the call. “I have to go now. I just got to work. Thank you, Aaron. For everything.”
And with that, the line went dead. What the actual fuck? He should be happy that this wasn’t holding him back anymore. Nothing was keeping him from going to D.C. and starting early.
This was complete and utter bullshit, but he had to respect her. This was her life, her family, her decision. He just wished he could have been a part of making it.
Hell, fuck it. She did him a favor. He’d get on a damn plane right now and leave. When he got back to D.C., he’d start apartment hunting, find his own place, do things the right way. He packed up his suitcase and checked for flights to D.C. Might as well get an early start, buy a new suit, and get this over with. If he was going to overhaul his life, then might as well do it now.
He got up and started to pace the room. He dragged a hand through his hair, pulling at the roots until he felt some other kind of pain besides the one in his chest.
He let out a snarl and continued to pace. “What the hell am I doing?” Even though he didn’t do anything, he had the distinct feeling he screwed things up, big time. He wanted to protect her, to make sure she was well off. And Jill didn’t want him, enough so that she was willing to fuck over her inheritance. There was nothing left for him in Charleston.
No more dicking around. It was time to go to D.C. and get the job and leave everything else behind. Jill obviously didn’t need him, and she was probably better off without him. That was what he kept telling himself the entire way to the airport.
…
Two hours later, Aaron was boarding a plane with a one-way ticket. He sat down next to a woman and had to do a double take because he could have sworn it was Jill. His imagination must’ve been going into overdrive, because the woman who he’d pined for like a lovesick teenager couldn’t even bother to see him in person to call off a wedding, so she wasn’t likely to willingly sit next to him on a plane. He took his headphones out of his pocket, put them into his phone, and blasted his music loud enough to make his ears bleed, and yet he couldn’t get Jill off his mind.
Sam was waiting for him at the airport when he landed.
Aaron hefted his duffel over his shoulder. Pathetic to think that all his possessions fit in one bag. He thought back to Jill’s house, how it was filled to the brim with masterpieces Emily created, pictures, amazing food. These past few weeks that he’d spent over at her house felt more like home than anything had in a long time.
Sam clapped him on the back when he made it out of baggage claim. “Hey, nice to see you’re still in one piece.”
“Turbulence was hell,” was all he could say. The white-knuckle flight was the least of his worries.
“So, what ever happened with Jill?” Sam frowned. “I take it things didn’t go very well if you’re here early.”
“A story for another day, brother. I’m exhausted.” He felt weary straight to his bones. It’d be better to just never bring up Jill again.
Luckily Sam wasn’t the type of guy to press. That’s why they got along so well.
“What time is my meeting tomorrow?” Not only had his buddy picked him up from the airport days earlier than expected, he’d managed to get him an assignment to provide security for a senator’s family right away.
“Eight. You’re up for starting tomorrow? We’ll have you briefed in the morning, and you can start after that.”
“Perfect.” An excellent distraction. He’d welcome learning new protocol, conducting threat assessments, anything to keep his mind off her.
Aaron slid into the passenger side of Sam’s Escalade and pressed his head against the seat. It was the right thing to leave. Two potential buyers contacted his father today. All his dad had to do was pick one and sign on the dotted line. He’d taken care of the business that originally brought him to Charleston, though it didn’t erase the fact he was the biggest asshole in the state for leaving Jill two days before her birthday. Two days before she’d lose out on the inheritance she needed. Dammit, he was such a dick.
She wanted you gone. That conversation still bothered him. It had come out of nowhere. What would make her push him away when she needed him the most?
He woke up the next morning with what felt like the worst hangover of his life, except he hadn’t drunk a drop of alcohol. He’d blame it on dehydration from the flight, even if it was only an hour and a half.
He’d managed to get dressed, and Sam loaned him his car to drive in for the meet-and-greet with his new boss. He sat in the waiting room until the secretary buzzed him in to Mr. Avery’s office.
Colton Avery sat behind a large metal desk when Aaron walked through his office door. He stood abruptly and stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Collins.”
“Likewise.” He shook Colton’s hand, and when he motioned for Aaron to sit, he took the chair across from his.
The office had a sterile feeling, everything in a certain place, not a speck of dust.
“Has Sam explained about the job?”
He clasped his hands in his lap and took a deep breath. This is what you wanted. A fresh start. “Not in detail.”
“We’ll have you covering Senator Simmons’s family. It will mostly be escorting them to functions, making sure no one compromises them in any way. He likes to keep a low-profile image.”
Aaron had said from the moment he got out of the military that he wanted to do private security, and here was his chance, looking at him square in the eye. And yet, the more Colton talked, the less appealing this job sounded. He’d be in D.C. He’d be away from his parents, who weren’t getting any younger. He’d be away from a certain brunette that drove him up the wall and yet he couldn’t get her off his mind.
“Do you have a wife? Kids?”
He wasn’t sure how long that question had been sitting in the air. He tried to focus back on Colton, but every time he did, flashes of Jill’s face would surface and then he’d want to punch himself in the fucking face. How could he just leave without a fight? What the hell was wrong with him?
“No. But I’m crazy about someone.” Hell, had he really said that aloud in front of his new boss? Maybe he really was sick in the head. Maybe he caught influenza on the plane. Yeah, he could blame it on that.
Colton steepled his hands on the surface of his desk. “Where does she live?”
“Charleston, sir. Things didn’t work out, though,” he added when Colton’s brows furrowed. Because she didn’t want him. And that hurt worse than anything that could earn him a purple heart.
He took a long look at Aaron and gave a knowing look. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“You and me both.” Aaron adjusted the button on his dress shirt and frowned. Dammit, the same shirt he’d worn on his date with Jill. He’d been so tired this morning, he didn’t even realize what shirt he grabbed. He had it coming, though. He deserved to walk around fucking miserable, with anything and everything reminding him of her. He was going to go mad before the end of the week.
Colton gave a few more details about what his security detail would entail.
“So, what do you think? Everything sound fair to you? Ready to start?”
A couple of weeks ago, he’d ask to begin right then and there. Now, he wasn’t so sure. “I think that I’ll need some time to think about it.”
Colton nodded like he had been expecting that answer. Maybe Aaron was more obvious with his internal mind-fuck-fest than he thought. “The job remains yours if you want it. Let me know what you decide.”
Aaron stood up and shook Colton’s hand.
Is this what he really wanted to do? Babysit the social elite? That job didn’t sound a bit appealing anymore. He’d rather do something useful with his day. Help people in a meaningful way. Maybe this was penance for the one person he couldn’t help.
Thirty minutes later he was back in Sam’s apartment. He wandered the room, gazing out the large bay window that overlooked the capital. He didn’t mind the traffic. He didn’t mind the loud noises. Hell, he could put up with both if he needed to, but the city was missing one key component: Jill.
His damn knees nearly buckled just thinking about her. He’d been an idiot. How could he have left without going over there? Fighting for her. Showing her that he loved her? He pounded his fist against the window. Fuck this.
He couldn’t be in this city. This thought process wasn’t rational. The job meant a steady income and a new life. But he didn’t give a fuck. He’d take Jill over money any day. And then he realized the date. Tomorrow—he had until tomorrow to make her change her mind. Hopefully it wasn’t too late.
…
Jill was at her mother’s house, a celebratory birthday dinner. Except this time, she didn’t have Aaron to deflect. Or Gage for that matter. Her brother never made it home because he was called in last-minute for an extra shift. This was the makings for the best thirtieth birthday party ever. The plus side—more cake for her.
Whatever. She didn’t need anyone to help her with her problems. She’d pushed Aaron away—and if he could be happy in D.C., that was all that mattered. It still hurt like hell, but it was better to sever ties now and have the possibility to love again than to be completely broken two months from now. At least, that was what she had to tell herself to roll out of bed the past couple of days. Now she could focus more on Emily, which was exactly where her priorities needed to be.
Jill was busy staring a hole through her shrimp creole when the doorbell rang.
Nobody moved to answer. The bell rang again a few moments later.
“Are you going to get that, Jill?”
She looked up from her soup. Her mother had been extra snippy with her ever since she found out Aaron had left town. “It’s your house.”
Her mother gave her a pointed look.
Oh brother. She sighed. Fine. Maybe walking around for a couple of minutes would help get her mind off Aaron. She shouldn’t even be giving him a second thought. Her ex-fake-fiancé who she was really in love with would not ruin her birthday. Especially on shrimp creole night. Because the least she could do was enjoy some spicy goodness and singe one of the body parts that still held the taste of Aaron.
Jill opened the door and was met with a wall of broad shoulders and a trim waist. Nope. Not happening. He’d get one finger on her, and she’d turn to a puddle of molasses on the floor, and there’d go her resolve. She still felt a little guilty breaking it off over the phone, but there was no way she could have done it face-to-face.
“What are you doing here?” She put her hands on her hips, trying her best to look affronted by him randomly showing up at her mother’s house.
He raked a hand through his hair and started to pace back and forth on the front porch. “I didn’t take the job.”
“What? That’s all you’ve been talking about since you’ve been back.” She didn’t really see how that pertained to her, or why he felt the need to come over here and tell her…but a tiny part of her liked that he wanted to share this with her. But all it did was prolong the inevitable—he’d find another job soon. Especially with his skill set. She didn’t even know why she was still in the doorway. Even when she knew better, her body wanted to be near his, which made her hurt even more.
He stopped pacing and stood directly in front of her. His hands shot out to go to their familiar place at her hips, but he stopped last-minute and shoved them in his pockets. Jill must have been wearing her don’t touch me vibe proudly tonight. “I’ve had a couple of days to think. I’m pissed.”
That was…not what she was expecting to hear from him. “You’re pissed? Why? I thought you’d be happy you didn’t have to marry me and you could go on with your career.” It was why she’d called things off in the first place—so they could both have the chance to be happy.
“It’s complete bullshit, Jill. I thought we were doing great. I wanted to help you. And you’re pushing me away. And fuck, I’m an idiot because I let you.”
Oh God. Please don’t do this. “It’s for the best.” You’ll destroy me.
“Jill.”Her name was a plea. There was a desperation in his voice that made her heart clench, the same way it did when he played with Emily, and when he held her hand, rocking them both quietly on the porch swing, watching the stars. And when his hands did…other stuff.
“I don’t think I can live that lie for two months.” She bit her lip, trying to find some way to get him off her porch before she folded onto the ground and had a good ugly-cry for a few minutes. “My heart can’t take it.”
“Listen—” He let out a heavy sigh. “I have been protecting my heart for a long time. It’s not easy for me to lower my guard. But here it goes.” He stretched his neck from side to side, rubbing the back of it with his hand. “I’ve loved you since the first day I saw you. The very first day.”
Jill rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious. You were wearing a yellow sundress, and you were sitting out on the boardwalk with Mia and Kate.” He continued without giving Jill a second to speak. “When I saw you, it literally took my breath away.”
“You were asthmatic as a kid.”
“Dammit, Jill, let me be a fucking cliché for a minute. You smiled at me and my whole world shattered. Actually, I think you were smiling at my friend Duke, but I’ll let that slide. When I realized you were my next-door neighbor, I knew I’d hit the jackpot. And then you asked me to set you up with Duke. And then John. And Casey.”
“How is this helping?”
“It crushed me. Every single time. But I did it for you, Jill, because all I ever wanted was for you to be happy. I’d do anything to put a smile on your face, even if that meant you kissing my best friend.”
She arched a brow. “Does that mean you’re going to set me up with your best friend?”
“Hell, no. You are mine.”
That word. Mine. It hit her on a visceral level, throbbed in her veins. “This is all just such a mess. I don’t know what I want anymore.” But as her heart thundered in her chest, she knew exactly what she wanted—him.
He got down on one knee and looked up at her with those damn blue eyes that made her breath catch every time. “Marry me, Jill.”
“What? Are you serious? I thought we decided that it’d be best to go our separate ways.”
“I’m serious. I don’t think I’ll love anyone as much as I love you. Being in D.C. made me realize I can do anything I want, but I can’t do it without you. You make me want to get up in the morning. You make me smile with your corny jokes. You drive me up the wall with your stubbornness.”
She crossed her arms. “You really do suck at these proposals. I’m pretty sure there’s a handbook out there that says you shouldn’t insult someone you’re asking to marry you.”
“Let me make my point,” he growled.
“Fine.”
“I will never find anyone who even compares to you. The reason I haven’t settled down in all these years is because I was looking in all the wrong places. I know it’s soon, and impulsive, but I promise you, I will be the best goddamn husband you could ever ask for. I even know how to load a dishwasher properly and manage to not burn grilled cheese.”
“That’s a solid start.”
He squeezed her hand. “And I want you to get Grammy’s inheritance so you can continue to send your Doogie Howser kid to private school.”
She frowned. “It’s a little late for that. The will said I had until today.”
“Then let’s do it.” He took her hands in his own, and she fought the urge to let her eyes flutter shut. “Right now.”
“Right now?” This was crazy talk. The man had to be insane, because at this hour, no one would be open without an appointment.
“Yes. Get your mom, and I’ll go next door and grab my parents. I know a chapel down the road that does marriages late into the evening. But just tell me one thing. Do you love me?”
She mashed her lips together. Dammit, she did. And even though this was the craziest plan in existence, she could see it working, could see them working. Because Aaron was it for her, too. “Yes, Aaron. I do.”
“Then let’s do this. Make me the happiest man in the world, and marry me. There’ll be bumps along the way, but we’ve made a good team. We can figure it out together.” He produced a straw wrapper from his pocket and twisted it into a ring.
Jill couldn’t help but laugh.
“I promise to get you any ring you’d like after tonight, but this is the best I could do on such short notice. Marry me, Jill.”
Her face hurt from smiling so hard. This man turned her into a damn fool. And he was back, really back, and in front of her with a paper ring and a promise. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Yes.”
Emily stood beside Jill as she clasped hands with Aaron in the tiny chapel on the corner of Elm. They stood in front of a fireplace with candles in the hearth. Twinkly lights outlined the mantel, and it honestly couldn’t have been more perfect. This was crazy. And yet it felt right.
She looked to where her mom and Aaron’s parent were sitting a few feet away, and a warmth filled her. They’d be all right. Everything would work out. Maybe Grammy’s plan hadn’t been so terrible after all.
“Do you take Aaron to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
She looked up at him, squeezing his hands. His smile was her undoing. She never thought she’d say those words. But staring into Aaron’s eyes, she knew that she’d made the right choice. There wasn’t anyone else she’d want to spend the rest of her life with. It’d take some adjusting to the family dynamic, and they’d have to make sure Emily was 100 percent okay with Aaron before he moved in, but if he kept up the tea parties and cookie baking, they’d be settled into a unit in no time.
As he slid a ring onto her finger, happiness welled up in her. Her partner. She looked into his eyes, and then she said the two words that felt so right when it came to Aaron. “I do.”
…
One year later…
“Emily, hurry up—we’re going to be late.”
A fireball of energy bounded down the stairs with a ladybug backpack flapping behind. “I’m ready, Daddy.”
It still melted his heart, to hear Emily call him that. A year and a half ago, he didn’t think it’d be possible, doing the whole domesticated life, making waffles, going to dance performances, and yet here he was, enjoying every fucking minute of it.
He gave his daughter a quick kiss on the forehead and handed her a Mickey Mouse waffle as they bolted toward the door. He’d drop her off at Brighton Prep, and then be on his way to work. Sam had moved into the area, and they’d started their own private security firm. It was only three men strong at the moment, but they had a handful of people they were interviewing this week.
“Where do you think you’re going without saying good-bye?” Jill said from the powder room down the hall. She was fastening the emerald earrings he’d given her for their anniversary, getting ready for her job at the radiology center. With Aaron working, and the inheritance, she was able to quit her office job at the accounting firm.
“I’d never dream of leaving without saying good-bye.” He took her face in his hands and swept her mouth into a kiss. Would he ever get sick of her lips? Hell, no.
“Love you.”
“I plan to show you just how much I love you tonight,” he growled into her ear. It was their one-year wedding anniversary, and he planned to show his wife just how thankful he was for her.
“You guys are gross.” Emily pretended to gag and then shoved more waffle in her mouth.
“What’s gross? Oh, you mean this?” He scooped Emily up in his arms, and he and Jill bombarded her with kisses on each cheek. Emily giggled, hugging them both around the necks.
This right here, Aaron decided, was paradise.
Did you love this Brazen? Check out more of our steamy titles !
Don’t miss another book by Jennifer Blackwood! Sign up for the Brazen newsletter .