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“I heard about the stalker. Is everything okay now?”
“Yeah, it’s all sorted out. Hopefully everything gets back to normal soon.”
“Definitely,” he said. “I’ve followed your career. It seems like you and the band are doing great.”
“Really? You followed my career?”
“Of course I did. I’ve only ever wanted the best for you, so I’m happy that the music career worked out. You’ve always loved playing.”
He’d only ever wanted the best for her?
She stared at him for a moment and fought the temptation to argue about that — why break her heart back then if he wanted the best for her? Didn’t he realize he’d always been best for her?
She took another sip of her Bloody Mary while she gathered her thoughts and decided her hangover was too fresh right now to argue with him. She’d let it slide.
“What about you?” she asked. “How have you been?”
“Fine,” he answered simply.
She studied him while she took another sip, saying nothing.
He caught her gaze. “Look, I know this is awkward. Our lives are completely different now, and it’s been an actual decade. But... Do you think we could be friends?”
Her eyes widened. “Friends?”
“Yeah. We used to be best friends. I miss that. I miss you. I want to be your friend again. I want whatever time with you I can get.”
What an odd way to phrase that statement.
Her stomach knotted tight and her heart rose to her throat. “Aiden... We were never only friends. You asked me out the first day we met. We always used to be boyfriend and girlfriend who were best friends. There’s a difference,” she said.
Regret crossed his features. “I know. And I’m sorry about that. I really am. If it’s okay with you, I... I miss hearing how your day went and how you laugh when you talk about whatever crazy thing happened. I know I don’t have the right to ask you out. I’m not asking for that.” He shook his head. “I’m asking if you can forgive me enough that I can be your friend.”
Even though their breakup still haunted her, she’d never held it against him that he wanted to try life on his own. She’d actually returned to town with hopes of putting their break-up to rest. Forgiveness wasn’t even a factor.
“I forgave you a long time ago,” she said, softly.
A small smile touched his lips. “So can we be friends?”
Her head pounded, and she squinted at him. Only friends, with Aiden Whittaker. Could they? She wanted more. But maybe friends was a start.
“We can try,” she finally said.
A smile broke across his face. “That’s all I can ask.”
He pulled out his phone and began typing something.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“In full friendly disclosure, I stole your phone number last night. I know I wrote it down for you, but I’m texting you mine to be fair.” He put his phone back in his pocket right as hers dinged.
She pulled it out to look. His message simply read: Hello, friend. :)
She smiled and shook her head at him.
“Why am I not surprised?”
“I don’t know. You should absolutely be surprised. Normally, I’m an upstanding guy.” He gave her a cheeky grin. “How long are you in town?”
