It’s just… it’s bound to be a shock. I’ve been careful to keep any desirable intentions for Bee to myself. I don’t even know where she and I stand. Since she fled back to her corner last night, I haven’t seen her. There’s every reason to believe she’s going to sweep last night under the rug and we’ll have to go back to a purely roommate relationship. If that’s even possible.
This is usually a dilemma I’d talk to my best friend about, but it’s a bit difficult when said best friend might disown me when he finds out.
I stop mid-run, hands on my knees, trying to get my breathing under control. Aiden doubles back when he realizes. “You okay?”
“I kissed Bee.”
He blinks. “You…”
Yeah, probably could have gone about this better.
The thing is, Aiden’s a happy guy. It’s strange to not catch him smiling. So the worried furrow of his brow is sounding the alarm in my chest.
Fuck.
“What now? Are you dating?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is that what you want? Because last time I checked, you’d given up casual for the whole picket fence deal. And I don’t know what Bee’s told you, but she’s been pretty adamant that living here is only temporary for her.”
My lungs burn, from more than the run.
He claps a hand on my shoulder. “I gotta say, I didn’t think we’d be having this conversation for at least another month.”
It’s my turn to short out.
Aiden laughs at my confusion. “Please, she’s had acrush on you for years. I assumed it would come to a head eventually. Honestly? I expected you’d let her down gently. You aren’t a callous person. Just…” His grip tightens. “Tread carefully, okay? I love my sister, but I don’t want her breaking your heart.”
I’m still trying to take a full breath. It’s difficult. “You’re not angry?”
“Why? Do you plan on hurting her?”
“Of course not.” I’d kick my own ass in that situation.
“I trust you, and you know I’ll kick your ass if you do, but I’m more worried about you. If things work out, great. I’ll even plan the wedding myself. But man, this house doesn’t mean half as much to her as it does to you. I just want you to keep your eyes open.”
I kick off at a jog, needing a minute to wrap my head around this new development. It shouldn’t surprise me. Neither Bee nor Aiden stick to any kind of script, but that’s what I get for expecting the worst.
Another awesome Wolfe trait I haven’t quite kicked.
Aiden catches up to me, and I make the effort to slow down. “You’re sure this isn’t weird for you?”
The easy smile he gives me reassures me more than his shrug. “Nah. As long as you keep all the details to yourself, I’m happy for you.”
“Slow down. I don’t even know if she’d be interested in something serious.” I cut him off when he goes to argue. “However she felt about me in the past, we live together now. Fuck, we own a house together. That complicates things. And besides, I’m not after a flight anymore, you know that. I’m thirty-six, man. I want to settle down. That’s why getting this place was such a bigdeal. And if Bee doesn’t want that, then it’s a nonstarter.”
“Have you talked about it?”
“Not yet.”
“Need me to suss it out?”
“Definitely not. I can handle it.” If anything would make things awkward, it would be Aiden attempting to be a middleman to whatever the hell is happening between Bee and me.
Aiden catches my grimace and snorts. “Sure you can.”
We turn the last corner. I contemplate turning around and finishing another lap, stretching out the minutes before getting home, but I’d only end up being late for my crappy job.