Page 14 of The Expiration Date

She looks up at me. I luckily get a closer look at her striking eyes and notice they have flecks of gold in them. She mostly wears her blue-light glasses, which obstruct me from seeing the true color of her eyes. They always looked dark brown to me before. “Nothing is wrong. You look beautiful.”

Her cheeks turn even more pink. She seems flattered, which makes me smile. She clears her throat and says, “Thank you…” Then her eyes scan my entire body and I swear her cheeks turn a darker shade of pink. “You look very handsome yourself. You finally shaved, mountain man.” She reaches up and touches the thin layer of scruff on my face. “Man, I was really looking forward to walking next to Grizzly Adams on this red carpet.”

My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I don’t remember the last time I felt this way. Completely mesmerized by someone, even when they are making fun of me. “Sorry to disappoint, Swann.”

“In all seriousness, Aidan, you look great. The scruff look suits you. Cue the swooning from fangirls and fanboys alike.” She glances past my shoulder to the limo outside the lobby doors. “Well, shall we?”

“Hold on. I feel like something is missing.” I say.

She immediately gets that cute worried look on her face and starts patting down her torso. I pull out the blue box from the pocket inside my jacket. When I open it, the diamonds reflect off her eyes, and her mouth falls open.

“Aidan. You loaned out a pair of earrings for tonight? You didn’t have to do that.”

“I didn’t get them on a loan. I bought them…for you. I figured these would go perfectly with what you’re wearing.” Haley meets my eyes. Her eyes are round with disbelief and I think I see some tears build up, but she blinks them away really fast.

“You seriously didn’t have to…”

I take the earrings out of the box and place them in her hand. “I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to. Seriously, Hales, there’s no amount of flowers or jewelry or anything that I could give you that would repay you for doing this for me. Do you like them?”

“I love them, Aidan. Thank you.” Gently, she puts on the earrings. Just as I thought – they look perfect on her.

I reach out my arm for her to take, and she slowly slides her hand around my elbow, sending a complete shock wave through my body. At that moment, I know this whole arrangement is going to work. Haley was born to be seen. Born to be admired. She deserves the world to know her name.

8

My knee bobs up and down the entire limo ride. I don’t think I am cut out for this. I was comfortable being behind the scenes. Never in the photos the paparazzi takes of Aidan. I always just blended in with the background, and I was okay with that.

“Hey,” Aidan says softly, putting his hand on my knee that won’t stop moving. I look at him. His soft blue eyes are concerned. “You don’t have to do this…I can tell my driver to turn around and we can figure out another arrangement. I know it’s a lot. I kind of threw you into this because I needed a quick solution, but if you have any doubts, let me know, please.”

His hand is still on my leg and my lips part. I have never before felt this kind of reaction from anyone’s touch.

“I’m fine. Let’s do this.” I move my leg out from underneath his massive hand. Internally, I am actively shouting at my small stomach-flips to go away…indefinitely. They are no longer welcome!

“I’ll be right by your side. There may be times where I have to let go of your hand because they want to do quick interviews, or they may want photos of me by myself, but I promise that I won’t leave you behind.”

As I nod, the limo comes to a stop. I take a deep breath and say, “I trust you.”

Aidan gives me a side smirk, revealing the sexiest dimples and smile-lines around his eyes. I’ve never been close enough to his face to notice his perfect imperfections. He has the perfect amount of stubble on his jawline. This is a much better look than his full-out mountain man beard he was rocking since he broke up with Natasha. He used to be clean-shaven. I think this version is better.

“Hales?”

“Huh?”

“You ready?” He holds out his hand. I take a deep breath and put my hand in his.

“Here we go.”

“Oh and remember,” he adds.

I look into his blue eyes and suddenly lose my breath all over again.

“We are madly in love.” He winks and flashes one last smile before pulling the door handle.

The second we climb out of that limo, cameras are flashing, causing me to see white spots all over. I probably look like a deer caught in the headlights.

“Aidan!”

“Aidan, over here!”

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