Page 26 of Make You Stay

“Chloe, you got a second?” Aidan pushes open the door, his eyes widening at my tear-stained face. “Oh, sweets, are you okay? Why didn’t you come to get me?”

“I don’t like crying in front of people,” I manage, wiping my eyes and leaky nose. Great, this day keeps getting better and better.

“It’s actually healthy to cry, not keep it bottled up.”

“I know, but I prefer to be an emotional mess on the inside. Smear lass mascara that way.”

Aidan settles next to me on the bed, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “I had you pegged all wrong. I thought you had abandoned your mother for some fancy life in New York City.”

“I got that from the warm welcome you offered when I arrived.” Despite the sadness, I chuckle. Something about Aidan’s presence brings me peace of mind. “What did you need me for?”

“It’s not important. It will keep.” Aidan reaches forward, plucking a lash off my cheek. “Make a wish.”

“I haven’t done that in years.”

“I do it with my girls, and I have it on good authority that you’re never too old to stop making wishes. If anyone deserves a wish to come true, it’s you, sweets.”

Our gazes meet as a tremulous smile breaks across my face, and with a gentle blow, I send the lash floating off to new adventures.

“What did you wish for?” His gaze is damn near paralyzing, his hand pressed firmly against my back.

The truth? I wished for him, even though I know no eyelash anywhere can garner that wish true. I want to lie and come up with some glib answer, but his intense stare won’t allow me that luxury.

“Chloe, what did you wish for?” His hand slides along my jaw, his gaze dropping to my mouth as my eyelids drift closed.

I feel his breath against my skin, beckoning of promises. Promises I’ve only dared dream about.

His lips drift against mine, his hand wrapping around my nape as I lean into the moment. Searching. Longing.

“Dad, where are you?”

We break apart—before we even started—with the realization of whatalmosthappened, crossing Aidan’s face and, I’m sure, matching my own shocked expression.

We almost kissed. If his daughter had been ten seconds later, we would have kissed. If left to our own devices, we might never have stopped.

“What’s up, Natalie?” Aidan calls out.

“Are you upstairs?” Lovely, now it looks like we were having personal playtime.

“I’m talking to Chloe.” Shaking his head, he glides his fingers along my arm, a rueful smile on his face. “I better go see what she needs.”

Turns out Natalie needs her father to find a slip of paper for her class the next day, and it’s buried somewhere in their house. After an hour, I realize he isn’t coming back, which is probably for the best.

No, it’s definitely for the best, no matter what my heart screams.

I grab my phone and send him a quick text.

Chloe:I’m turning in early, but I wanted to wish you a good time tonight. I hope you and Barbara have fun.

Do I mean what I write? Not at all, but this is what nice friends do, even if they’re feeling overwhelming emotions for the man about to embark on a romantic evening with another woman.

I pour myself a glass of wine and prepare a charcuterie tray for one before plopping down on the couch for a night of reruns. But a quick glance out the window shows Mother Nature’s artwork painting the sky in shades of red and orange, and I can’t resist the urge to step outside for a closer look.

You don’t get too many fantastic sunsets in Manhattan. The buildings block the view.

“I thought you were going to bed.”

Turning my head, I offer Aidan a low whistle. The man cleans up well. His button-down shirt is practically bursting across his pecs with the sleeves rolled up to showcase his fantastic forearms, while his dress jeans accentuate his amazing ass… and package. Not that I’m looking—much. “Look at you. You look wonderful.”

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