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"You're a lunatic and you're seeing things." I roll my eyes, but Aiden’s words set me on edge. I don’t know what Harry wants either. He’s with her. I’m pretending to be with Aiden. This is a mess.
"Oh am I? Well, that would explain why I saw you looking like you wanted to crawl in his lap while he made that speech."
"It was a good speech; I was just enjoying it. I don't even know him."
"You’re tugging your collar. You always fidget when you’re lying,” Aiden deadpans.
I drop my fingers from their nervous fiddling at the edge of my turtle neck.
“So, spill," he demands.
But I don't say anything. I can’t deny any of it. I also I can’t admit it either. I’m ashamed of the way I’ve behaved. And I’m wrecked that somehow the universe found a way for our paths to cross again and I’m still fucking it up.
"Hey, Lil I was just joking." Aiden's arm goes around my shoulder. His voice has gone from ribald to soothing. "Listen, let's go sit inside. It's freezing and your coat isn't really thick enough." He turns me to go back inside and I let him guide me no longer able to muster the will to resist. I don’t know how I'll survive the rest of this week. He’s leaving early in the morning the day after the wedding. I wish he could stay. I’m in desperate need of a friend.
We step back inside and the sounds of merry making make me stop dead. Aiden stumbles when he tries to take another step anchored to my unmoving body.
I shake my head. "Aiden, I can't. I just can't. Please, let's just sit out here."
"Lilly. What's going on? How do you know him? Did he do something to you?" Aiden turns me to face him, putting both hands on my shoulders.
"No,” I say vehemently. My eyes are wide with protest, my voice is rough and low. “It's nothing. I'm just tired," I croak out, trying to find my voice. If he only knew that I am the villain in this story. The only crime Harry ever committed was to ask me to be honest with him and to make me feel good.
"Lilly, look at me." He takes my chin into his hand and forces me to look up at him.
I gaze into the sky-blue eyes of the only real friend I have in the entire world and Iwant to tell him everything.
"Aiden, I have to tell you--"
"Sorry to interrupt this tender moment. Your mother said you two need a ride back to the house." The voice that sets everything inside me alight, booms at us from just inside the door. My heart skips a beat. I drop my hand from Aiden's shoulder and step away from him at the same time. Aiden’s eyes narrow and his head swings in Harry's direction.
"Give us a second," he says quietly to Harry.
I put a steadying hand on his shoulder and his eyes come to me. I shake my head gently, silently asking him to please stand down. Fine, he mouths. I turn to face Harry and steel myself against the breathlessness and racing heart I get every time I lay eyes on him.
He's standing there, coat is slung casually over his shoulders, and holding onto his arm is Camille. The sweet smile on her face is accompanied by a malicious
stare.
If what Aiden said about Harry staring is true, then maybe she saw it too.
I turn to face the person I truly care about. I finally want to end this farce, stop pretending that we don't know each other. I want to beg him to forgive me. And to promise to tell him everything.
But when I meet his eyes, my words wither like grape leaves under a punishingly hot sun. Harry's not bothering to hide his contempt with a smile. He's glowering at us,his scorn unmitigated as he looks at Aiden's hand still resting on my shoulder.
"Do you need a ride or not?" he sounds exasperated, as if he's asked us fifty times already. I bristle and shake Aiden's hands off my shoulders.
"Yes, we need a ride. But, I'll ask someone inside." When I start to walk past him, he touches my arm.
“I said I’d take you,” he bites out.
"Excuse me,” I say icily. My eyes fixed on his hand on my arm.
He drops it right away as if he didn't realize he'd grabbed me.
"I'm sorry," he says shortly. He eyes Aiden before glancing at Camille.
I feel a sharp sting of guilt. I take a breath and apologize.
