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Stefan loosened one of his arms from around my shoulders and offered his hand to him. "Aidan. I have heard about you."
"You must be Josie's boyfriend." Aidan shot me a meaningful look, then pointedly looked back at Stefan, grudgingly shaking his outstretched hand. "I didn't know you'd be joining us tonight..."
"Josephine and I were out when she had the pleasure of receiving your call. I did not want to miss the opportunity to meet her editor," Stefan said smoothly, his voice sounding more accented than usual. If Aidan knew Stefan better, he’d know that what Stefan really meant is that he didn’t want to pass up the chance to rub our relationship in his face.
Aidan's mouth opened and closed twice. "I'm more than her editor, you know. I'm also an old friend."
Stefan's lips curled back in a scornful smile that exposed every one of his gleaming white teeth. "It appears we are all more than we seem."
"Stefan, can you get us a drink?" I interrupted. Stefan ripped his shark-like stare away from Aidan and gave me a questioning look. "A Screwdriver would be great."
Stefan inclined his head and stalked towards the bar. His imposing figure cut through the crowd, men and women alike stopping to gape at him as he passed them. I couldn't blame them. He was impossibly beautiful with his Nordic good looks and impressive form. His tight sweater accentuated the dense musculature of his chest and arms, his tight jeans stretched the long length of his legs. I might have sighed aloud longingly as I admired him leaning across the bar to place our order.
Aidan watched his departure along with me. He spun around in his chair to look at me accusingly. "So that's your type? Thor? Did he leave his hammer at home?"
Frowning, I adjusted my ponytail and shifted in my seat. "Mature much, Aidan? Jealously doesn’t become you.”
"You think I’m jealous of Thor? Uh, no. I'm only jealous that you're with him," he admitted softly. "What's happened to you? You look...different. I mean, you look beautiful. You just look different. I mean, different in a good way."
For being a book editor, he struggled with carrying on basic conversation. That hadn’t changed either. I shrugged and clasped my hands together on the tabletop. "It's been two years, Aidan. People change."
Aidan adjusted his glasses and ran his fingers nervously through his hair. “I know. When you left, I was angry for a long time. I don’t think you ever really gave us a chance, Josie. I think we could be really good together if you’d just try.”
Thankfully, I glanced up to see Stefan heading towards the table with two drinks in his hands. He placed one down in front of me and sat down in the chair beside me. His sharp, critical eyes swept over Aidan. His mind was moving at warp speed, assessing how to best face his much weaker adversary.
"Vackra, remind me to ask Lukas if it is a new fashion statement for a man to wear scarves,” Stefan asked a little too loudly, motioning to Aidan’s brightly patterned scarf. “If so, I should consider adding them to my wardrobe. I am sure they come in handy for other activities. Is that right, Aidan?”
Aidan's face flushed four different colors of red and I wanted to bang my head against the table. Instead, I picked up my drink and swallowed half of contents in two gulps.
"Would it be more manly if I wore one of your horned helmets instead?” Aidan shot back angrily.
Stefan leaned forward across the table. His apparent disdain for Aidan was barely concealed. "Our people did not have horns on our helms. Du är en självbelåten liten jävel."
Stefan sat back in his chair and stiffly folded his arms across his broad chest. His blue eyes turned glacial as he stared fixedly at Aidan, simply waiting for him to make his next incorrect move.
True to form, Aidan fell into his trap.
"Would you care to translate since you think you're so smart, Thor? I'm not sure what Josie sees in you unless she’s suddenly developed an attraction to blond meatheads. She must enjoy being the brain between the two of you," Aidan sneered. He drained his beer and pushed his glass away. “Do you drag her around by her hair and grunt?”
“Aidan!” I admonished.
"No, let me finish. Allow me to translate for you. I said you are a smug little fucker. As for what Josie sees in me, you would need to ask her. I am sure I make up for all of your shortcomings," Stefan said condescendingly, glancing over Aidan’s much smaller frame. He lowered his head to press a kiss against my temple. "I will wait for you outside. My good-nature is waning and my temper cannot handle your friend. Take your time and finish your drink. I will be waiting for you."
He pushed away from the table and swaggered through the bar, disappearing out of the bar door in a flash of blond and black. Sighing heavily, I pushed my glass around in small circles on the table, leaving wet rings behind.
"Here’s the thing, Aidan. I only met you tonight to be nice. I’d like to keep you as a friend, but I’m not sure exactly how that’s going to work since you just insulted my boyfriend, who happens to have more intelligence than you obviously possess. I thought I’d explained that I'm with Stefan now. You and I went on a few awkward dates and had horrible sex one time. Did you think I would be willing to give up Stefan for that? Really?" I drained my drink and stood up to leave. Aidan's hand on mine stopped me. Hadn’t he embarrassed himself enough for one night?
"Josie...hold on."
"No. Aidan, I'm calling Belinda tomorrow. I want a new editor," I said, plucking my hand from his. Standing up from the table, I rushed across the bar to the exit. I'd made it to the door when I was halted by Aidan's arms. They wrapped around me and before I could protest, his lips covered mine. I frantically pushed against him as he attempted to tighten his hold on me. Giving him a final shove, I was able to disentangle myself from him. Unluckily for him, he had the unfortunate pleasure of colliding into the solid wall of Stefan's broad chest.
Staggering backwards, I scrubbed my hand across my lips as if I could wipe away the offending memory of his lips on mine away. It didn't work.
Even more upsetting was the fact that he had caught me completely unaware. The 'gift' I'd complained about, lamented over and blamed for all of my problems was gone. But I didn't have time to mourn its loss right now. Stefan had grabbed Aidan by the shirt, lifting him off the floor by at least three inches. Before I could fully comprehend what had happened, Stefan had him out of the bar and up the steps to the street above.
Clamoring after them, I scurried to catch up. Stefan had Aidan pressed against the bricks, his face twisted in a murderous grimace.
"Did you ask for him to kiss you?" Stefan directed the question to me but his eyes never left Aidan.
