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He shakes his head but slowly sits as he glares at his imbecile of a father. Callie grabs Niall, ushering him away from the table. I’m not sure where they go, but the atmosphere relaxes as soon as he leaves. That man makes me uncomfortable, and I hate feeling like I’m not good enough. I’ve had enough of that shit to last me a lifetime.
Aiden turns to me, his eyes conveying so much. “I’m sorry. My father, well, he’s—”
“It’s fine. Honestly, don’t worry,” I interrupt, feeling disheartened, but I don’t want to let Aiden know, so I change the subject. “What’s with Matthew smirking like that?”
Aiden nods his head assuring me he saw it too. “He’s one of those guys who’s a natural slimy son of a bitch. Since he joined the firm, he’s been out to get me. Or should I say, climb the corporate ladder above me.” He exhales. “He’s ridiculously competitive and never likes to lose… at anything. He is Father’s go-to guy, and he thrives on the fact that my relationship with Father is more than strained. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear Matthew was out to get me most of the time.”
“Yeah, I can see it. Be careful of him,” I warn because Matthew rubs me the wrong way too.
Aiden nods in agreement as Nana steps over and sits in Brielle’s seat, probably to distract me from feeling the emotions of this draining evening.
“Darling, you look wonderful tonight…” Nana pauses and exhales like she’s frustrated, “… I’m sorry about my ignorant son. He’s become arrogant and downright mean over the years, much to my disappointment. Unfortunately, Niall is more and more like his father every day. Insults and intimidation seem to be his only way of communication.” She tilts her head with a shrug. “It’s not how I would’ve liked him to turn out, but he is his father’s son. So please, take everything he says with a grain of salt, okay, dear?” She pats my leg kindly.
Even though it doesn’t make up for his abuse, I nod and smile to appease Nana. “Sure. Thanks for letting me know.”
She smiles and exhales like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders. I’m glad I’ve made her feel better. “When are you and Aiden coming back for a visit and some more of my cooking?”
I smile as I remember the incredible breakfast she served us. “Hopefully soon. I’m impressed you run a little café on your own.”
She smiles a heartfelt smile, which warms my heart. “It’s something I love to do, and I don’t have Patty here anymore. God bless his soul. I have a lot of free time, and I love to cook, so I decided to open my own little café.”
I raise my eyebrows. “I’m sorry to hear about your husband.”
She tilts her head, patting my arm. “Oh, never mind, honey. He’s been gone coming up on eight years now. Life goes on, you know? It has to.”
“You’re certainly a brave woman,” I declare just as Brielle comes back and hugs her grandmother from behind. Nana stands, smiles and nods, and then moves back to her seat, leaving Brielle to sit.
She leans in toward me. “Sorry if I embarrassed you out there before. I got excited to see Aiden and you kissing. It’s been so long since he’s had a girlfriend… I think he gets caught up in work. Father’s such a slave driver.” She laughs at her own joke.
“You work there as well, right?” I ask, trying to keep the conversation going. I would like to impress at least one member of Aiden’s family here tonight.
“Yeah, I’m Father’s personal assistant. I’d actually like a position in finance, but Father always says, ‘Finance isn’t a place for females.’” She deepens her voice to mimic her father’s, causing me to let out a small giggle. “I’m happy Aiden found you. Hopefully, you guys get married, and I’ll be your bridesmaid, and you’ll live happily ever after,” she spouts.
I laugh a little anxiously. What the fuck!
“I’m kidding,” she corrects. “But really… stick with him. He’s a great guy, and you’re so cute together.”
I like her, I mean, truly like her. She’s sweet and not tainted like their old man. Hearing someone call her name, her attention is suddenly taken away, so I turn back to face Aiden. “She’s quite happy about us,” I tell him quietly.
“Us?” he asks with the cutest smirk I’ve ever seen as he raises one eyebrow.
I pause at his question, suddenly feeling like maybe I used the wrong word and overstepped the mark. “What I meant to say is… she’s happy that I’m here with you tonight. Not that there’s an us or isn’t an us. She’s happy that we’re here together. Not that we’re together or anything… it’s like—”
“Do you want there to be an us?” he interrupts my ranting. The look on his face is one of complete seriousness. I desperately want to say ‘yes.’
My heart races so damn fast as I try to calm my breathing, so I don’t hyperventilate in a room full of his family and co-workers. “Do you want there to be an us?” I respond barely in a whisper.
He inclines closer, and my heart rate spikes as he smiles wide. He’s leaning so close, his expensive aftershave floods my senses. It’s intoxicating and making this tension all the more exhilarating. My stomach rolls in excitement as he stares into my eyes. Aiden grips onto my hand as we stare at each other, the tension and anxiety I feel waiting for him to answer has me almost out of breath.
His lips almost meet mine.
My breaths are short and shallow.
His lips part infinitesimally as he whispers, “Yes.”
I let out a huge breath, a slow smile crosses my face as giddiness tingles all the way through my body. Then my excitement shifts to apprehension.
Is he asking me to be exclusive? Is this all moving too fast?
