Page 48 of Three Months Yesterday

I want to kiss her again, to pull her into the cottage and maybe act out the scene I was imagining earlier, but the sound of tires on gravel pulls our attention, and I have no choice but to let Madison slip away as her brother’s vehicle comes into focus.

Of course it’s the grounded, responsible brother pulling up, and not the free-spirited, unpredictable one.

Madison spins back to me, a pinch in her brows. “Sorry. I have no idea why he’s here.”

Reaching out, I tuck that wayward piece of hair behind her ear and let my touch linger for a moment. “Stop apologizing, Madison. You have nothing to be sorry for. We can talk later.”

“Okay,” she murmurs, glancing over her shoulder quickly before turning back to me and rising to her toes for a quick peck.

She’s jogging down the steps and is by her brother’s side before I even realize what’s happened.

It’s such a simple gesture, yet doing it in front of her brother feels big. Or maybe that’s something she does all the time. The reality is we don’t know each other—at least not on a personal level.

I know what her work ethic is like. I know how she is with her family. I’m starting to learn about her likes and her dislikes, but I know nothing about her past. About what her relationships look like or even if she’s ever been in one.

And just like that, something in my brain clicks. Even if it’s only in the smallest of ways, Madison has become part of my life, a life that’s been wildly unpredictable, especially lately.

This life of mine has led me to some terrible places, and while I know Madison is the furthest thing from terrible, what if that’s exactly what I end up being in her life?

Aiden gives his sister a hug and watches her turn to offer me one more wave before she heads for her truck, officially getting her day and week started. When his eyes move to mine I don’t have to see them behind his sunglasses to know his gaze is assessing. Everything about his body language—the crossed arms and wide stance—tells me he’s taking in all he’s seen since we came into view.

“I got a call from your head of security,” Aiden finally says as he walks up the porch stairs.

“I figured you would.”

Knowing this is likely going to be a lengthy conversation, I pivot for the cottage and hold the door open in silent invitation.

One thing I like about Aiden is he doesn’t need words. He follows me without question and takes a seat at the island as I move to start a pot of coffee.

Ian and I didn’t specifically talk about sharing anything with Aiden, but I made sure he was aware the local sheriff knew about my stalker. I figured it would only be a bonus that there was someone in town trained to handle precarious situations.

Maybe that was the reason Ian delivered the instruments last week. Better to get an idea of exactly who Aiden was in person than over the phone.

When the coffee finishes, I glance over my shoulder in silent question. At Aiden’s nod, I grab an extra mug from the cupboard and pour the coffee.

“I don’t have any cream, but I do have some milk and sugar.”

“Black is fine.”

That doesn’t surprise me.

Turning, I slide the mug across the island and give Aiden all of my attention, not wanting to miss whatever this visit is about.

“What did Ian tell you?”

Aiden spins the mug around on the counter, his attention focused on his hands. The longer the silence stretches the more my stomach churns.

Why the fuck can’t he answer that question?

“I don’t know how deeply Ryan thought about suggesting you stay in Stonebridge, but you either landed in the safest place you could be, or the most dangerous.”

Aiden finally meets my gaze, and while I have no doubt he’s good at keeping the things he wants hidden wrapped up tight, something like unease slips past his defenses.

But it’s gone so quickly, I think I might have imagined it.

“The jury’s still out on that one.” He shrugs and lifts the mug to his lips.

“I don’t…” My words trail off, having no idea how to respond to that.