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“Do what?”
I nod toward the basket on his arm. It’s filled with everything on my list that I know I didn’t put in there, plus some extra goodies.
He shrugs. “I know you, Lizzie. I know all of your favorites.”
I blink and study the grocery items. He grabbed the things I like. I grabbed the things he enjoys. We’re like an old, married couple. I take a breath and look at Aiden.
“It’s always like this,” he says.
“I’ve never noticed.” Or maybe I have and just didn’t want to acknowledge it because it would make me want things I knew I couldn’t have.
Except now, I can have them.
At least, I think I can, and I don’t know how to feel about that.
Scared.
Reluctant.
Giddy.
Definitely giddy.
Cautious.
“Stop thinking so hard, and let’s check out.” Aiden nudges me toward the front of the store.
“Right.”
We check out. He pays for all the things and refuses to let me pay him back.
“I can’t let you pay for my stuff.”
“Why not? I’m going to come over and eat most of it anyway.”
I laugh. He has a point. “At least, let me make you dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs.”
“That’s my favorite.”
“I know.”
Aiden’s smile is potent. His eyes drop to my lips. He stares at me for a few beats and then lifts his head and shakes it. “I—I can’t. Not tonight.”
“Oh. Okay.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I do,” he rushes to say. “But I have work to do. I need to finish a mock-up of the video game to get to Ryan. I should’ve had it done by now, but I’ve been preoccupied.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself.”
Aiden frowns and studies me. “Are you upset?”
“No, not at all. I just thought—”
I just thought you would say “yes.” And I didn’t realize how badly I wanted you to agree until you didn’t.
I take a breath, blow it out, and pick up my grocery bags.
“You just thought what?” he says, taking the bags from me.
