“It was easier not to talk to her atall.”
Kyle lowered his head into his hands. “Oh,I’m sure she loved that for almost five years. I don’t know whathappened between you two, but you were once close, so ignoring herwasnotthe best way to ensure a warm welcome back into herlife. Do you think she’s your mate?”
Julian’s jaw clenched as he looked to thewindow again.
Kyle’s breath hissed out. “Fuck, Julian, whatdid you do?”
“I put her first and gave her the freedom sheasked for!” Julian snapped. “And she’sneverto know she’smy mate unlessItell her. Do you understand me?”
Kyle held up his hands. “I won’t say aword.”
“Toanyoneelse.”
“Your secret is safe with me. I won’t eventalk to Cassidy about it, but after her reaction earlier, I’mguessing she already suspects what Aida is to you.”
“I’m sure she does, but this is betweenus.”
“And it will stay that way, but you have towin her over. You’ll die or go insane without her.”
Julian stared at the window as the city wokeup. The growing hum of tires, beeping horns, and voices of othersdrifted through the glass.
“You didn’t come back to get her to be withyou,” Kyle said. “You came back to say goodbye.”
For all of his carefree, playboy ways, Kylewas far more astute than most gave him credit for being.
“If she’s happy in her life, then I am goingto leave her to it,” Julian said.
“And what, go off to die like a sick olddog?”
“I’ll do whatever has to be done to make herhappy and to keep from killing.”
“What are you, Joan of Arc?”
Julian gave him the finger. “If she’s in lovewith someone—”
“She’s not in love with anyone else,” Kyleinterrupted.
“What about Owen?”
Kyle draped his arm over the back of thesofa. “She’s not dating him, or at least they’re not currentlydating. They went out a few times a couple of months ago, but itdidn’t last long.”
“I saw them kissing last night.”
Kyle snorted, but he didn’t look at allamused. Instead, strain etched his face, and concern filled hiseyes. “That doesn’t look good for you then. I guess they could havestarted dating again. We live together, and I see her most days,but we don’t exactly have heart-to-hearts about our lovelives.”
“Have you ever met him?”
“A couple of times before they started datingand once during that time. They used to work together, and theshowing tonight is of his work.”
“What’s he like?”
“He’s a pompous asshole, so you might have ashot if you’re not a complete moron.”
“Glad to know you have so much faith in me,”Julian muttered.
Kyle threw himself down on the sofa. “You’rethe one who left and didn’t talk to her again. Girls don’t normallylike that.”
Julian couldn’t argue with him. “I meant whatI said; no one is to know about this.”
