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Robert lifted his dark sunglasses from his face, looking Aiden straight in the eye. “I thought you knew me better than that, son. I don’t take bribes and I don’t cave to threats. Seems to me like this Newton guy is trying to do a bit of both. I’ve seen his kind before – a little guy thinking he’s king of the castle. But, he’s all bluster and no substance. He wants to make an enemy of me? Bring it on.” He slid his sunglasses back down. “But I am interested in what he had to say about his daughter.”
Aiden tried to ignore the dryness in his mouth. “You are?” His voice came out raspy.
“Yeah, is it true you’ve brainwashed her? Because if I knew you had those skills I would have put you to work years before.”
Aiden laughed. “I can tell you’ve never met Brooke Newton. Nobody could make her do something she doesn’t want to do.”
The corner of Robert’s mouth lifted up. “It sounds as though she might be the one brainwashing you. Want me to call her dad for you?”
Aiden smiled. “I think I can handle her myself.”
“Those are famous last words, son. I said the same thing the day I met my Mary. Turned out she was the one handling me.” His boss grinned. “And I loved it.”
“Yeah, well there’s nothing going on between me and Brooke. I like spending time with her and my nephew. That’s all.”
“Sure it is.”
Aiden tried to bite down the smile pushing at his facial muscles. Robert Carter knew him too well. Because that wasn’t all, not by a long shot.
As far as he was concerned, the best was yet to come.
* * *
“Did I show you where the mugs are?” Brooke asked, trying to fix the thin gold hoop in her ear as she walked into the kitchen. Cora was there, helping Nick with the assignment he’d forgotten to do.
“You look pretty, Mom,” Nick said, looking up at her. His eyes widened as he took her in. “You never wear your hair down. It’s nice.”
“Gorgeous, as always. That’s a lovely dress.” Cora’s face was beaming.
Brooke looked down at the pale blue sundress she’d put on. Aide
n hadn’t given her any idea of where they were going. She had no idea whether she should dress up or be casual. At least she could dress this down with a pair of flats and a sweater if she needed to. “Thank you kindly.” She gave a mock curtsey. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”
“I really do,” Cora said, nodding at her. “And if I can’t find something, I’m sure this young man will show me. Now go and have a good evening.”
But Brooke lingered for a moment longer. The nerves in her stomach were flying around like butterflies on amphetamine. Maybe because it was the first time Nick had been left with a sitter since they’d moved in here. Or was it the thought of this date with Aiden?
She opened her mouth, taking in a lungful of air, but it did nothing to dampen her nerves. It had been years since she’d been on a first date – even longer since it had progressed into a second. Being the single mother of a small child made relationships difficult.
“Call me if you need anything.” She pressed her lips to Nick’s head, kissing him in spite of his protests. “And you do what Cora tells you to, okay? Bedtime by nine.”
“We’ll be fine. Now go,” Cora told her.
“I won’t be late.”
“Be as late as you like. I’ve got nowhere to be. And it’s double time after midnight.” Cora grinned. “Seriously, we’re all set. Have a lovely time.”
“Where are you going again, Mom?”
Brooke opened her mouth to tell him the truth but closed it. She didn’t want to give him hope, or to worry him, either. “Out with a friend.”
“Have fun.”
“I will.” She blew him a kiss and grabbed her purse, sliding her feet into her flat sandals. As soon as she reached for the door, her heart started to pound. Agreeing to dinner with Aiden had seemed so simple when he’d asked, but now that she was faced with the reality of it, nerves had taken over. Maybe this date wasn’t such a good idea after all.
She’d asked Aiden to pick her up outside, and he’d agreed readily, not asking her why. Maybe he understood more than she thought.
By the time she’d made it out of the apartment building, his dark grey Audi was idling by the sidewalk. As soon as he spotted her he climbed out, a smile lighting up his face. And those damn butterflies started multiplying, making her whole body shiver.
