Page 27 of Make You Stay

“I decided against a tie. Thought it was too much.”

Giving him a thumbs up, I bite back the dread in the pit of my stomach. “Perfect as is. Are you headed out?”

“I am. Wanted to get Barbara some flowers. Do guys still do that? It’s been a while.”

Tears fill my eyes, but I blink them back. “See? I knew you’d treat a woman right. She’ll love getting flowers. Perhaps a bouquet of lilies or something colorful.” Great, now I’m giving him advice on wooing the woman who’s desperate to jump him.

“You like flowers, Chloe?”

“Sure.” What can I say? I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve gotten any? That four of those five bouquets came from my dad, and the other one I purchased for myself when the guy I was dating forgot my birthday?

Best to keep this conversation short and simple.

“Have fun. I’m headed to bed now, but I had to look at the sunset.” I return my gaze to the sky, in awe of the beauty of this area. “She is so beautiful, without even trying.”

“Yes, she is.”

When I glance back at Aidan, he isn’t partaking in the sunset. His gaze is focused on me, and I fight back an overwhelming urge to tell him to forget Barbara and spend the evening here. Sans clothing.

Instead, I shoot him a last smile and duck inside my house, sneaking a peek out my window to watch him drive away into another woman’s arms.

Chapter 7

Aidan

Iskipped out on getting laid last night. Oh, Barbara was more than willing, and I’m sure the fancy restaurant and flowers only sweetened the deal. The woman even offered to suck me off in my truck, and although my dick threatened anarchy, I refused her advances.

It wouldn’t have been right. Barbara was a bit tipsy, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Chloe.

Couldn’t stop thinking about how close I came to tasting her lips or the disappointment in her face when Natalie interrupted our moment.

I have to face facts. I want Chloe. Bad. But it’s different now. I’ve wanted to strip her down and kiss every inch of her body since that first diner lunch, but somewhere along the way, my feelings have deepened.

Besides spending time with my girls, Chloe is the only thing I look forward to every day. I felt like I was cheating on her during my dinner with Barbara, which isn’t fair to either woman.

So, I bought Barbara a top-of-the-line steak dinner, enjoyed some casual conversation and even a twirl around the dance floor at the local bar, and then dropped her safely at home.

It was the right thing to do, even if my dick and I aren’t on speaking terms at the moment.

Staring at my reflection, I run a hand over my jaw. Barbara was more than disappointed about me changing up my look, which seems almost laughable, considering Chloe’s reaction.

God, Chloe is adorable when she blushes, and I wonder what kind of thoughts she was thinking about me to bring on such a flush.

I’d be happy to show her firsthand.

If only it were that simple.

Why can’t it be?

The thought hits me hard and fast, as if my reflection is challenging my rules, calling me out for being too stringent.

My reflection and I agree on one thing—this attraction to Chloe is reaching a breaking point. Something is going to give, and soon.

I stroll next door an hour later, letting myself in with the spare key Betsey gave me a few years back. Chloe doesn’t seem to mind that I’ve kept it. Deep down, I think it makes her feel safe. “Morning.”

“Hi, there.” Chloe sits perched at the breakfast bar, clad in her usual leggings and sweatshirt. On any other woman, it’s the antithesis of sexy. But not Chloe. The shirt is frayed at the collar, baring one shoulder that just begs to be kissed. Her upswept hair reveals the smooth expanse of her neck, and now I’m nursing another hard-on.

“You okay this morning?” I ask, shifting my pants and trying to think benign thoughts.

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