W

e’d had a few beers and some dinner when Camden finally got the call that girls’ night was winding down. It wasn’t late, being a weeknight, but both Camden and Justin seemed happy to be getting back to their wives. I followed them back, hoping I could convince Rose to ride home with me.

When the three of us walked into Camden’s house, we were met with the distinct sounds of women laughing. It was hard to hear without smiling. I didn’t know what they were laughing at, but Riley and Hadley were my friends and I liked seeing them happy. And Rose laughing, well, that was quickly topping my list of most favorite sounds ever.

The three women were standing in the kitchen and when they heard us enter, all eyes swung our way. Immediately, Riley and Hadley lit up, smiling widely at their husbands, who made direct paths straight to them. Rose and I stared at each other, a kitchen between us, while our friends greeted their spouses like they hadn’t seen them in a week.

“Have fun?” Camden asked, his arm slipping around Riley’s shoulders and pulling her to his side.

“Of course,” she replied dreamily, pressing in close to him.

“We always have fun,” Hadley added. “But I have an early day tomorrow, so I think I’m going to bail.”

“Where’s Stephanie? Does she need a ride home?” Justin asked.

“She’s in the coffee business and she has an even earlier start to her day than me, so she left about an hour ago.” Hadley pressed up and gave Justin a kiss, then turned to me. “One of these days we need to talk about the Bridgewood project.”

I let out a loud bark of a laugh.

“Let me get through Belmont first before you start railroading me with all your ideas for properties that haven’t even got a foundation yet.”

“You love it when I railroad you.”

“Hey now,” Justin said with a laugh. “Leave the poor man alone. He promised to let you have access to all his houses, don’t make him regret it.”

“Fine.” She sighed. “Riley, girlfriend, thanks for the wine.” She tipped an imaginary hat at her friend and Justin reached out, shaking Camden’s hand as they said their goodbyes. I gave him a wave and Hadley a wink as they passed by. “Rose, I’m so glad you came,” Hadley said, giving her a brief hug. “You have to hang out with us more often.”

Rose looked surprised by the affection, taking a small moment to react before she gently patted Hadley on the back.

“I had a really good time. Thanks for including me.”

Hadley said something under her breath in Rose’s ear and then pulled back, looking her right in the eye. “He’s a good guy,” she said, but not quietly enough that I couldn’t hear her.

Rose nodded, her eyes flashing to me, her cheeks pinking a little more than they already were.

Hadley hugged her again and then turned to her husband.

“Take me home, man of mine.”

Justin tugged her hand and led her toward the front door. Once they left the house was markedly quieter.

“Can I get you anything, Aiden?” Riley asked with a polite smile. “I’ve got beer. Or wine. Water?”

“No, I think I’m about to head home too.” I turned my gaze to Rose. “Can I offer you a ride?”

“That’s all right,” she answered, sounding a little shy for the first time since I’d met her. “I was just going to get an Uber.”

“Do you single-handedly keep them in business?”

“They provide a valuable service.” Her chin tipped up with her words and I could almost see her walls going up with every word. So stubborn.

“Rose, come on. Let me drive you home.” I was not above begging.

“It seems silly to take an Uber when you’re both going to the same place,” Riley added, trying to hide a smile.

“Fine, you can drive me home. But I’m only agreeing because it’s logistically convenient.”

“Of course,” I replied, balancing on the line between wanting to spank her and kiss her. Or both. That actually sounded better. I was on a mission to prove to Rose that logic couldn’t always rule her. Or rather, if she only stuck to logic she’d miss out on the best parts of life. Those ruled by love or lust, or even joy.

We said our goodbyes and I walked Rose to my truck, helping her get situated, then climbed in my own side.

“Have fun?” I asked after we’d driven away.

“I did. More than I thought I would.” She turned to look at me and caught me staring. “Did you have a good time?” A smile crept across her face.

“There’s always a good time to be had with Justin and Camden.”

“Hmmmm.”

The noise she made was both one of agreement and contemplation. I knew she wasn’t done with her thought, though, so I remained quiet.

“You know what I’m starting to realize?”

“What?” I’d never wanted to hear the answer to a question more desperately.

“I think I have some issues.” Her voice was pensive and soft, but her words jolted me like she’d yelled them.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, why aren’t I normal? Why was this the first night I’d spent with anyone except a client or an employee in months? Years, even, aside from you. Why did I leave all the people I considered friends back in Arizona and come to a city where I knew no one and had no connections?”

Again, I remained quiet because I had the impression she wasn’t really asking me anything, but rather, thinking out loud. And thinking through some very dense and heavy thoughts.

“I told myself I was making a smart career move, and I was—I’ve done amazing things with Rose City Event Planning—but I’d convinced myself the move was for business reasons. Now I’m wondering if I was just trying to run away from maintaining personal relationships. Why do I keep people at arm’s length?”

She turned to me with the question.

“I’m not sure.”

“It’s not like I come from some traumatic childhood. I wasn’t abused, and I don’t have shitty parents. I had a normal life.”

“It’s okay to not be a super social person,” I replied, trying to comfort her. I believed that. Heck, I wasn’t Mr. Social myself. I only had the friends I did because Hadley got her paws on me and wouldn’t let me go.

“I agree. And I would also agree that ten years ago, I wasn’t a super social person. I planned parties so I didn’t have to go to parties. I was too busy making plans for other people. I never planned anything for me. I’ve been distracting myself from living my life.”

Panic was creeping into her voice. Out of the corner of my eye I could see her hands balling up into tight fists.

“Hey,” I said in the smoothest tone I could muster. “Everything’s going to be okay.” I reached out and wrapped my hand around her leg, my fingers gripping the fleshiest part of her thigh, and I tugged gently, urging her to move closer. To my delight and relief, she didn’t resist.

She allowed me to pull her to my side of the truck and leaned her cheek against my bicep, her hands coming to rest on top of mine, covering her thigh.

“What’s wrong with me?”

Her small, sad, pained voice cut right through me and I wanted nothing more than to comfort her, to show her there wasn’t anything wrong with her, not in the slightest.

“Nothing,” I soothed in a hushed tone, giving her leg a gentle squeeze. “Everyone has something they don’t excel at. And socializing isn’t a terrible thing to suck at. And for what it’s worth, I think you’re perfectly sociable, once you get comfortable. We have a great time together.”

She laughed slightly, but it was followed by a sniffle and I knew she was trying not to cry.

“Sweetheart, why are you getting upset? Because you had a good time? That’s no reason to cry. Now that you’re aware of the problem, change it. I’ll help you.”

“Why would you help me?”

She wasn’t fishing for compliments. Rose didn’t have a manipulative bone in her body. She genuinely didn’t think she was worthy of my time or attention. That she didn’t warrant my help or focus.

“I thought I’d been pretty clear, Rose, but if I have to spell it out for you, I will.” We pulled up to a red light, the MAX light rail train whizzing by in front of us. I turned to face her, using my now free hand to cup her chin and bring her gaze to mine. “I’m here because I want to be. I spend time with you because I want to get to know you. I’m attracted to you more than I’ve ever been to anyone, and I’m not going anywhere. Today, tomorrow, next month—I want to be around. I want you. And I want to see where this goes.”

I watched as indecision danced in her eyes. She was clearly having a discussion with herself, trying to figure out whether she should believe me. Or, rather, whether she was going to allow herself to be wanted, whether she could believe that of herself.

“Okay,” she finally agreed on a sigh. I hoped the sigh was a sign of her starting to let go of the crazy notions crashing around in her head.

I brushed my lips against hers for just a moment, kissing her lightly, happiness blossoming in my chest when she kissed me back.

Soon the train passed, the light turned green, and we made our way back to our building. We didn’t say anything more, but she continued to hold my hand and rest her temple against my arm.

It was almost the best ten minutes we’d ever spent together.

The comfortable quiet continued as we rode the elevator up to our floor. The elevator dinged as the doors opened and we made our way down the hall. She slowed as we approached her door, but I didn’t let her hand go. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye for the night.

“Do you want to come to my place for a bit? Have another drink?” The question was hard to ask, and the answer I was waiting for was even scarier.

I realized I was running my thumb along the back of her hand. Even that small touch was enough to make my heart race in my chest.

“Um, all right,” she said quietly, tucking the key back in her purse that she’d already pulled out.

I led her farther down the hall, turning when we came to the T, heading right.

“My condo isn’t much. Like I said, I’m just staying here temporarily until the project I’m working on is done. So, it’s not homey. Just functional.”

I smiled at her, hoping she didn’t think my condo was barren and unfriendly, even though I knew it probably was. Her place was most likely much nicer, but I didn’t want to invite myself in and didn’t want to say goodnight either.