Page 37 of Make You Stay

Aidan scrubs his face, a slight flush on his cheeks. “You have something to add?”

Enid points to herself, shaking her head. “Who, me? I would never interfere.”

“Right.”

Laughter flows around the table, and I’m hopeful we might change topics before Natalie asks anything else.

Natalie has other ideas. “Why aren’t you two dating?” she presses, her green eyes so like her father.

“She doesn’t date men with young children,” Aidan blurts outs, earning a glare from me.

Oh, that’s the reason? Right, because your rule has nothing to do with it.

“You love kids, Chloe.” His eldest daughter is intent on getting to the bottom of things.

Might as well jump into the deep end of the pool—no lifejacket necessary.

“I do, but I dated a man for several years and helped raise his kids. Then he reconciled with his ex and took them from me. I had no say in the matter.” I opt to hit Aidan with a zinger of my own. “Aidan only dates single mothers, and besides, we don’t like each other like that.”

A few guffaws rise from the table as the heat climbs up my face.

“Yes, you do. It’s obvious. Really obvious,” Natalie states, shoving some chili into her mouth.

“Are you quite done embarrassing us?” Aidan asks, sitting back in his chair. He’s not angry, though, as evidenced by the smile he keeps biting back.

“No, I have tons more. I like you two together. You like her, and she likes you. What’s the problem?”

And just like that, a sixteen-year-old lays our issues bare. For her, the conversation is done. She’s spoken her peace, and all is right with the world.

But I feel like I showed up naked on the first day of school.

Thankfully, Jeff steps in, steering the conversation to neutral waters. I feel Aidan’s gaze on me for the remainder of the meal, but I don’t dare meet it.

Then he’ll see that his family is correct, and I’ve fallen completely head over heels for him.

* * *

It’suncanny how quickly a kitchen is cleaned when there’s ample help. The flurry of activity also keeps my mind occupied, considering I don’t know what will come of my relationship with Aidan now that our feelings have been made public—by everyonebutus.

I know what I’d like to happen, but honestly, sex will only muddle everything further. Even amazing, mind-blowing sex, which I’m certain is the kind Aidan delivers.

After a ton of hugs, I’m left alone in my kitchen. Releasing a small laugh, I pull the vodka from the freezer. I need something to calm my nerves, and the wine isn’t cutting it.

“Got a shot for me, too?”

Whirling around, I come face to face with Aidan, not more than three feet away. “Sure.”

With trembling hands, I grasp the bottle, but Aidan has a different idea. He strides over, grabbing the bottle away.

“You don’t want a shot?”

“I want you.” He pulls me flush against him as he claims my mouth. When he tongues the seam of my lips, I fall into his kiss, my hands winding around his neck, desperate to get closer.

Aidan hoists me onto the counter, wrapping my legs around his waist as our mouths wage an intimate war. He tastes so good. I forgot kissing could feel this way, and when his hand knits in my hair, pulling me closer, I know he feels the same emotions.

The world falls away, leaving nothing but the two of us in this moment, our movements more desperate with each passing second. My hands grasp the front of his shirt, and his hands have since traveled down my back, cupping my ass and pressing me against his erection.

“Sorry, I forgot my bag.” Emily’s voice screeches into the moment, and we tear apart. “Were you two kissing?”

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