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“So you admit it was an awkward experience,” he teases.
More than you can ever know,I think bitterly.
“I mean, I’ve never had a meaningful conversation with my boss while he was half-naked, so I think I handled it okay, all things considered.”
“Yeah... I’m not sure what led me to believe my shirt was the best option for cleaning up my beer.”
“Therewereperfectly good hand towels in the drawer.”
“I was very tired, okay?”
It’s a moment that feels too easy, one that makes me almost forget all the other shit going on in my head that makes me anxious if I dwell on it too long. Does he have to be so fucking nice? It makes it a hell of a lot harder to do the smart thing and pack all my feelings away.
I decide it’s best to change the subject. “So... Disneyland?”
“Yeah,” Aiden sighs. “I can already hear my boss bitching.”
“But just think of how happy she’ll be,” I point out.
“You’re right,” he says. “She’s going to lose her mind.”
“Have you ever been?”
He makes a face. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh boy. This is going to be extra fun.”
“How badly am I going to regret this?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be there to handle all the hard stuff.”
“The hard stuff?”
“Oh, you know... taking pictures with the princesses, Sleeping Beauty Castle—you realize she’s going to want to be dressed up, right? How do you feel about roller coasters?”
Aiden looks like he might be feeling queasy. “What are the chances she’ll want to spend a good chunk of the day at theStar Warsattraction?”
“I wouldn’t hold my breath,” I laugh. “I think you’re in for a lot of princess-adjacent fun. Maybe we can catch a parade!” The look on Aiden’s face only makes me laugh harder. “This is going to be so much fun.”
“I’m glad you’re looking forward to it,” he mumbles.
I reach over to pat his hand. “I’ll make sure you don’t get lost, don’t worry.”
It had been an innocent gesture, placing my hand over his, but when my laughter dies down, I notice it’s still resting there, and Aiden’s staring at where my hand is touching his in a way that makes me lose my train of thought. I don’t know how long we stay like that before I remember myself, clearing my throat before pulling it away as quickly as I can without seeming weird.
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” he says too quickly. “I’m glad you’re coming.”
“Yeah?”
He nods, not looking at me. “For Sophie, I mean. I’m sure she’ll enjoy herself a lot more with you there.”
“Oh. Well...”For Sophie.Why does that sting? It’s the only reason I’m here, after all. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”
Aiden clears his throat. “I called Iris.”
“You did?”
