Page 17 of Unbroken

Before she could do anything more, he was swept away by the crowd, and she lost sight of him.

Today had been bittersweet.

Though they’d put the man behind bars, this was officially the end of her relationship with Aiden. Not that there had been anything to begin with anyway. But now she had no reason to see him anymore.

Over the past year, he’d never given her any indication that he wanted anything more. He’d been there for moral support; that was all.

She’d hoped that he would want to continue their relationship from before. She thought he’d been attracted to her once. But that felt like a lifetime ago, and whatever feelings had been blossoming between them had died with her abduction.

He’d stopped by to check on her from time to time, but she now realized he’d done so out of obligation… not desire.

He would move on with his life, keep working.

And she would…

She wasn’t sure what she would do next.

She had put off finishing college, and she still got anxious going out at night or in large crowds. But life kept going and the world kept turning, and she had two choices.

Either stay stuck in place or move on.

She knew she needed to put all of this behind her and focus on the future, but that was easier said than done.

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

Aiden stepped into his apartment, locked the door behind him, and pulled out his phone as he headed for the bedroom. He placed an order with the local pizza place down the block, then decided to hop in the shower while he waited for it to be delivered.

As he stepped beneath the warm spray, he hung his head and waited for the tension to seep from his muscles. He’d been on edge for the past few days, but he wasn’t quite sure why.

That was a lie, of course. He knew exactly what was bothering him.

Three days ago, he’d sat in that courtroom and watched Maya testify against the man who’d kidnapped her. He hadn’t gotten to touch her. Or talk to her.

She was out of his life now for good.

She had no reason to see him ever again.

The thought was depressing.

He cursed himself again for not going to her and telling her how he felt. But how could he? She’d been through hell, and he couldn’t, in good conscience, heap anything more on her plate. She was safe now, which was all that mattered.

If that meant she was relegated to his dreams, then so be it.

Her face filled his thoughts every waking moment. He knew it was crazy, but he couldn’t control it. Those bright blue eyes flashed through his mind, sending a stab of regret slicing through his heart and desire spiraling through him.

Over the past year, he’d seen her from time to time as she prepared for the trial, and he swore they’d formed a sort of connection. She was like no woman he’d ever known, and he’d wanted time and again to tell her how much he admired her, how much he wanted her.

But it was wrong.

It would have been unprofessional to get involved with her, and now…

Now all he had were the memories kept locked away in his heart.

He had just stepped out of the shower when a knock came from the front door.

That was quicker than he expected.