Page 77 of Done with You

“That was the only time?”

Aiden nodded. “We’ve argued a lot since arriving here, though.”

“Yeah, that display at dinner the other night when you cooked was fucking weird. Rayma and I talked about it in bed later and couldn’t figure out what was going on. Rayma thought it was sexual tension, but I said no way.”

Aiden snorted. Oh, there was definitely sexual tension. Along with a myriad of other complicated things.

“Neither of us guessed it was this messy, though,” Jordan went on. “Thought maybe things were just awkward since Rayma said she could set you guys up and you both knew she was attempting it.”

“No, it goes a lot deeper than that.”

“Clearly.”

“So, have you seen another therapist?”

Aiden shook his head. “I got expedited to the top of another list and I start seeing a different therapist shortly after the new year.”

“I’m sure Oona had a hand in making that happen.”

Yeah, Aiden was sure of it, too.

“She’s just …”

Jordan’s brows hiked.

“She’s like two different people.”

“You said that earlier.”

“The Luna Love I met the night at the bar was fun and playful, bold, and intriguing. She was the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. But Oona Young is closed-off and pretentious, rigid, and all business. It was like getting whiplash when I walked into her office and saw her.”

“You think Rayma is the same at home as she is at work? That she’s as outspoken, filter-free, and,” he brought his voice down to a whisper, “bat shit crazy in the best kind of way, with her social work clients as she is here in the comfort of her own home?”

Aiden shook his head.

“No. Of course not. We all adopt different forms of ourselves depending on our environment and the situation. Just like, I’m going to be more candid with you than I would be with say Krista. She might be family, but she’s still a superior officer and I have to maintain that level of respect and distance. I’m also not going to be as playful with you as I am my fiancée. Don’t expect me to pinch your nipple or slap your ass anytime soon.”

Aiden rolled his eyes.

But Jordan remained serious. “Oona is also a performer, so much so that she adopts a different name and probably a different personality. Did you tell her you were Police Officer, Aiden, when you met?”

“No. I told her I was Caden and a first responder. She told me she was Luna and in healthcare.”

“Lies veiled in truth. And I’m sure you were a little different than your authentic self because the freedom of anonymity allowed you to step outside your comfort zone.”

Aiden hadn’t really thought about it like that, but he had to agree. He hadn’t been so different from who he really was, but maybe a little. Maybe enough.

“Oona just stayed in character a little longer once the curtain closed. You can’t fault her for that. It might be a safe place for her to be. She may know that she’s rigid as Oona, but playful as Luna, and that you responded positively to Luna, so she gave you what you responded to.”

Aiden’s head was going to explode.

He’d really fucked up.

“I don’t know her that well, but I think Oona is great. Rayma has nothing but amazing things to say about her, and seems to idolize her. And that’s saying a lot. So, if she gets the Rayma stamp of approval, then she has mine, as well.”

“How do I fix this?” Aiden asked.

“Start by apologizing, then see what else you can do?” Jordan shrugged. “The Young sisters might be fierce, but their hearts are enormous. If Rayma can forgive me for ghosting her for three years, then maybe Oona can forgive you for lashing out.”

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