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“Nothing?”
I gave her a gentle nudge. “Nothing. I’ll go back to work with my head on straight because that’s the best for everyone.”
“So boring,” she whispered.
I didn’t respond, but it did make me smile. It wasn’t until I was walking out of the kitchen that she stopped me in my tracks.
“Beth would want you to be happy, you know.”
Slowly, I turned. “I am happy.”
She shook her head. “You’re settled. There’s a difference, big brother. And I hope you don’t ignore the possibility for one because you’re so fixed on the other.”
Her words echoed in my head as I moved a drowsy Anya into the truck and drove us home. I got her into her bed and then sank onto the family room couch with a sigh. The words continued to ring, over and over, like a bell I couldn’t shut off.
Even if she was right, it didn’t matter.
Whether I imagined kissing Isabel or not, whether my hands itched to slip over her skin, or how at that moment, my mouth watered at the thought of burying myself to the hilt until we both lost our minds, it wasn’t the point.
No matter what my sister said, this phase of my life was about finding an even, steady foundation. It wasn’t about heat and hormones, about attraction that hid behind the guise of interest.
I’d already married the woman I loved.
Already buried her.
Nothing short of a miracle would make me want to do that again.
Chapter Thirteen
Isabel
Aiden: Anya is sick, so I’ll be home today, possibly tomorrow. Could you shoot me the numbers of the two clients I had on my schedule today? Thanks, Ward.
The sigh that escaped my mouth as I read his text came without permission. So much for turning a new leave and extending a long-overdue olive branch. The large black coffee sat on the edge of the front desk, his name scrawled on the side. I took a sip of my own and stared at the cup. The order was a guess because I’d never actually seen him drink coffee.
Before I responded to his text, I picked up the cup, walked over to the drinking fountain, and slowly poured it out. The dark liquid swirling around the drain had me smiling a little at the irony that I now found myself dumping coffee that I’d meant for him.
I tossed the empty cup into the small trash can against the wall and went back to the front desk. I picked up my phone and tapped out the phone numbers for his clients because even though I could call them and offer to cover, I’d quickly learned that the people who wanted to train with Aiden only wanted to train with Aiden.
Not that I could blame them.
Me: Here you go. You don’t have anyone on the schedule tomorrow, so take whatever time you need.
Aiden: I appreciate it. If you don’t mind, there’s a piece of paper on my desk next to the computer. I forgot to add that client onto the calendar for the end of this week.
Me: No problem.
The three dots on the screen bounced, then disappeared. One day at a time. No matter how impatient I could be, no solid relationship—regardless of the type—was built out of thin air.
Me: We’ll take care of everything here. Tell Anya I hope she feels better.
Aiden: I will.
Aiden: Thank you again.
Me: Just doing my job.
Aiden: Glad to hear it, Ward. Even if my back still hurts.
