Page 97 of Miss Typed

Teagan had been waiting expectantly ever since I’d mouthed it was Aiden on the other end. “Everything okay?”

“I’m not sure. He sounded tired. Tired and sad. Maybe it’s not what he expected over there? Or something happened.”

I’d missed him more than I’d ever thought possible. Over the last few weeks, there hadn’t been a day I wasn’t wondering how he was doing. If he was safe. If he was missing me, too. Teagan had tried to glean some information from Reid, but Aiden had been telling the truth when he’d said he wasn’t much for keeping in touch.

That’s why this phone call had been so unexpected. And so important. Although I’d wanted to hear about him, I’d prattled on about my day after realizing he’d needed it. I was worried about what he might be going through.

“He must miss you.” Teagan handed me my glass of wine. We’d been celebrating the news of her niece being in remission.

“He said as much. But he won’t tell me to wait for him.”

She frowned. “Nor should he if he can’t commit to you. It wouldn’t be fair.”

“No, it wouldn’t.” I couldn’t wait for a man who didn’t think himself worthy of it and who couldn’t promise me anything. But God, how I wanted to.

“You’re not waiting, are you, Chloe Bear?” Her gaze studied me. There was no judgment, just concern I might get hurt.

“No, but I’m not ready to move on with someone new, either.” For one thing, I was relocating across the world in a week. For another, a rebound relationship wouldn’t be fair to anyone. I wasn’t over Aiden by a long shot.

Teagan sighed. “At least you’re still making plans for your future. Not pining away and being miserable.”

“Are you talking about your boss?” She’d started working for Reid weeks ago, and I’d never seen her quite so unsettled.

“Yep.” She popped the p on the end. “He makes Eeyore seem like the life of the party.”

I thought Reid’s mood might be understandable given he’d lost his fiancée and was no longer talking to his brother. His best friend was gone, too. I could definitely understand why he’d be down.

“I’m giving him another week, then I’m done.”

“Done with what?”

“Done with his moping. I mean you’re sad, I know you are, but you’re not unbearable to be around.”

“Thanks?”

“What will you do about Aiden?”

“I love him. The feeling doesn’t just go away. So while I’m waiting to get over him, I’m also making plans to move on with my life. Of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish he’d come back having resolved his demons and wanting a relationship. Then again, it may not be with me.”

Imagining that was tough, but I’d been dealing with all sorts of tough things lately. Like drawing boundaries regarding my mom and family. It felt good to finally stand up for myself. To put myself first and know I deserved it.

“Enough about boys. Let’s get on the Internet and find places to play tourist before you leave.” She moved to grab her laptop.

“What about you? Will you extend again?” She was already past a year here. With her niece now in remission from her leukemia, perhaps Teagan, too, could go home.

“Don’t know yet. At least I can quit the club. That’ll be a relief.”

Something told me she might be staying for Reid even if he wasn’t ready to move on.

* * *

The next few weeks went by in a flash. Luckily, the move had been easy. LA was as I remembered it. Busy. Full of palm trees. And so much cooler in temperature than Dubai. I didn’t miss the humidity there at all.

Kendall and her husband, Liam, could not have been better hosts over the last two weeks, and I definitely could have gotten used to being able to walk to the beach. But despite my love for their adorable baby boy, I needed to find my own place. Fortunately, Kendall heard of a possible apartment, a mile from her house.

I thought of Aiden as I climbed the stairs of the apartment building in Manhattan Beach to meet my potential new roommate. I wondered how he was doing in Iraq. I hadn’t heard from him again. This was disappointing but expected. After all these weeks, I wasn’t over him, but I was resigned to moving on without him.

I found the correct apartment number and hoped this meeting went well. Of course, I had high expectations since my last two roommates were still my best friends.