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“I guess there’s a lot we’ve forgotten,” he said, glancing down at her legs. She was wearing shorts – she nearly always did in the summer, especially in the evenings. Her skin glowed in the light of the setting sun.
He looked up at her, and she liked what she saw. His stare sent shivers down her spine. As though he was seeing inside her, to the truths she hid in there.
“There’s a lot I remember, too.”
He shifted on the sofa, until there were only inches between them. Beneath the denim, she could see his muscles flex. He’d always been the strong one. Working manual jobs as a kid to make sure his family had enough money. Playing sports until he collapsed to get the scholarship he so desperately needed. And that summer, when it had felt like they were the only two people in the world, she’d shown him how much she appreciated his body. The same way she’d fallen for his heart.
“Do you ever wonder what it would have been like if I hadn’t left?” He scanned her face, as though her expression had all the ans
wers.
“Only in the abstract,” she whispered. His closeness was making her feel breathless. She could smell him mixed in with the fragrance of the ocean. It was intoxicating. Her blood pulsed to the rhythm of the waves, as though the two were connected. “If I thought about it too much, I’d have to think Nick away. And he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
He didn’t look upset at her answer. Instead he looked interested. “And you’ve never regretted your decision?”
“Not for a minute. Being a mom is the greatest privilege I’ve had. He’s my life. I’m so thankful to have him.”
Aiden stared at her for a moment, his eyes dropping to look at her lips. For a second she wondered if he wanted to kiss her, but then she wanted to laugh at herself. Of course he didn’t. Look at the two of them – he was the success, she was the one trying to get through the day. They had nothing in common, not any more.
Except Nick. They had Nick.
“I think it’s time we tell him you’re his uncle,” she said. “I don’t want him finding out from anyone else, and he has the right to know.” She looked up at him, trying to gauge his reaction. “That is if you’re okay with it?”
Aiden’s eyes glowed. “I’d be more than happy with that. As long as you think he’ll be fine. I don’t want to do anything to upset him.”
“He’ll be ecstatic. He’s never had an uncle, and I know he’s always jealous of his friends with big families. It’s hard on him sometimes at school events. He has my parents, and of course they’ve been as supportive as they can. But on sports day and Father’s Day he always misses out.”
Aiden looked down. “I hate the thought of him not having someone there for him. The next time there’s an event like that you tell me and I’ll be there.”
Unexpected tears stung at her eyes. She blinked them back, embarrassed. “You don’t have to do that.” Her voice was thick, low. She lifted a hand to cover her mouth, scared she was going to say something stupid.
Gently, he pulled her hand away, folding it in his own. “I want to. I want to be there for Nick. I want to be there for you.” He squeezed her hand, and threaded his fingers through hers. “Since Mom died, I’ve been… I don’t know… missing something. Being part of a family, taking care of people. Knowing where I belong. And now you’re telling me there’s this connection, this boy who shares my blood along with yours. And I want to be part of his life. I want to take care of him. I want to make sure he doesn’t miss out on anything.”
A sob escaped her lips. She tried to pull her hand from his, but his grip was too tight. “I’m sorry,” she said, biting her bottom lip. “I’m being stupid.”
“There’s nothing stupid about you.”
She took a deep breath, trying to ignore the way her chest felt so tight. “I’m not used to this, you know? I’ve tried so hard to make up for him not having a dad. Tried so hard to be the best mom I can be. But it’s so difficult sometimes, being a single parent. I second guess everything I do. I worry and fret and there’s nobody to talk to about it. Mom and Dad have never been the sharing types. And Ember and Ally don’t really understand, even though they care about us both.” As she talked about it, he realized how lonely it could be.
“You’re an amazing single mom,” he said, his voice gentle. “I’m the product of a single mom, too, remember? I saw what she went through trying to bring us up, keep a roof over our heads. I’ve got nothing but respect for you.”
The way he was looking at her made her skin tingle. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to do something she’d regret. Pulling her hand from his, she ran her hand through her hair. “Let’s tell him tomorrow.”
“Okay.” The warmth in his eyes confused her. He was a friend, but she found herself wanting so much more. And when he smiled at her, and those dimples appeared on his unshaven cheeks, she had to ball her hands into fists to stop from touching him.
Because this man with his strong muscles and a kind heart was almost impossible to resist.
15
Brooke left the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Building, heading down to the parking lot where she’d left her old Nissan. She blinked as she emerged onto the front steps, the brightness of the sun causing momentary blindness. Slowly, her vision reappeared, her eyes focusing on the steps in front of her.
Her mom stepped forward, making Brooke jump. Her face was a mask of determination. “We need to talk,” she said, folding her arms across her designer jacket. Brooke knew that look all too well.
It was too late to dart back inside, through the safety of the security doors. Too late to pretend she hadn’t seen her, and veer to the left to avoid another awkward conversation.
“Not now, Mom. I’ll be late to pick up Nick.”
“We can talk in the car. Frederick is over there.” Her mom pointed at the black town car, so out of place among the old compacts and newer sporty numbers, depending on which social strata the local college students found themselves in. “I’ve been calling you for days, and you won’t pick up. So I called Ember and she wouldn’t tell me where you’re staying.” Lilian lowered her voice. “You’re not staying with him, are you?”
