Page 58 of Make You Stay

Aidan skims his fingers along my jaw, sending me a smile. “I knew you’d be okay with it. Most women? They’d flip when they realized their date had turned into a work party. But not you.”

Am I disappointed? Terribly, but he’s helping his friend. Besides, most of my dates resemble the one I went on with Zeke—halfway decent food at a bar or chain restaurant, where nine times out of ten, I picked up the tab for us both.

This is different, and despite my hope for a romantic evening, we’re together. Even if it’s the wrong kind of screwing and hammering.

“I love that you’re helping your friend. Can we stop at a fast-food place? I’m a little hungry, and I don’t want to get a headache. I’ll buy us something for while we work.”

“No can do. There’s nothing around here.”

Staring at my lap, I suck in a deep breath, wishing I’d brought a package of crackers with me. “I’m sure there’s water at your friend’s house, and that should fill me up until we’re finished.”

He snaps his fingers, a smile breaking across his face. “Actually, that’s a fantastic idea. I’ll bet he has a few cans of food we can heat—beans or canned chili or something.”

“Great.” It sounds terrible, but I won’t let Aidan know that fact.

Now at least I know why he told me to dress for comfort.

He turns up the radio, singing along to a John Mellencamp song, and I focus my gaze out the window, my insecurities backing up on me.

Maybe I heard Aidan wrong when he asked me out. Perhaps he never intended for it to be adatedate.

That’s likely it. I heard him wrong. Deep breath, Chloe. Suck it up and help him out. That’s what friends do.

But despite my internal mantra, I’m on the verge of tears, which is silly, really. It’s just dinner, not a funeral.

Forcing a smile, I pivot in my seat, determined to get this night back on track. “Maybe we can find a bar after we fix the storm door? I’ll buy you a beer and burger.”

“Like I said, there’s not much up here. A can of beans will do me just fine. I actually ate before we left, so I’m not hungry, but I brought a six-pack of beer.”

Aidan ate before we left? Didn’t he invite me to dinner? Why wouldn’t he tell me we would be nowhere in the vicinity of food?

That hunting idea is looking better and better. Bambi, I may be gunning for you before the night is over.

We pull down a long, dark road, and I hunker down in my seat. I’m used to the bright lights of Manhattan, but here in the mountains, it’s pitch black.

Pitch black and surrounded by woods with all manner of creatures. Creatures with claws and teeth. Animals that may be willing to fight me for my can of beans.

“Are you scared?” Aidan shoots me a grin.

“I’m a big city girl in the middle of the woods. A bit out of my element.”

“I’ll protect you. It’s right down here at the end of the road.”

The truck crests the hill, and my eyes widen as we pull into the driveway of a gorgeous log cabin. The landscaping is fantastic, playing off the trees and tiered gardens, and even from here, I see at least two decks that undoubtedly have incredible views.

“Wow, this is beautiful.”

“Nice, right?”

“Are the lights always on?” I ask, noticing the warm glow from the interior.

“Timer. He knew I was coming, so he turned them on.”

“The wonders of the internet,” I murmur, hopping out of the truck.

Aidan grabs our bags as he leads me to the front door. “It might be chilly inside, but I’ll get a fire started.”

“Can’t be any worse than Betsey’s house that first morning,” I grin, stepping into the foyer.

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