Page 71 of Make You Stay

Do you know the hardest thing in the world is pretending to smile when your soul is shattered? Funny thing, though—the more you pretend, the more genuine the happiness becomes.

That’s the thing with love. It’s there through it all, holding us fast when without it, we would fall apart.

Still, I fear the quiet moments when the dark thoughts creep in, and there isn’t enough noise to drown out their screams. My family will have many dark moments, but I must pray we’ll have enough love to soldier on.

“I think that went well. Granted, I’ve never had to tell my family that I was going to croak before, but overall, stellar performance.” Enid falls into place next to me, shooting me a grin.

“You and your macabre sense of humor. Not funny, Enid.”

“You know, I may be dying, but I’m not dying today.”

Grasping her hand, I press a kiss to her fingers. “I love you. You know that, right?”

“I love you, too. Do I get to make requests now, Make a Wish style?”

“What do you want? I’ll make it happen.”

She slows, pulling me to a stop. “Make things right with Chloe. I miss my friend. I miss the smile you wore whenever she was near you. You love her, and she loves you. Get married and have a couple of kids because you two will have gorgeous children.”

Despite it all, I chuckle, even managing a nod. “They’d be adorable, but can you imagine the stubbornness? Chloe is the most stubborn woman I know, and our kids would be beyond in that department.”

Enid’s smile widens, and I realize I just described the children I swore I didn’t want. “They’d be stubborn, wickedly smart, and funny, just like both of you. Pieces of your love that will live on long after you’re gone. None of us know when this ride will end, Aidan. Do you really want to go through this world without Chloe, simply because of your rules?”

Blinking back tears for the millionth time today, I shake my head.

But what if it’s too late? What if she never returns or, worse, returns with a baby in her belly? A baby that isn’t mine.

It’s too much to fathom with the myriad of emotions bouncing around my heart and head.

All I can do right now is try to hold my family together and pray for a miracle.

Chapter 16

Chloe

The taxi drops me in front of Betsey’s house at nine in the morning, and I hand the driver some cash before exiting the vehicle. Burrowing my face into the scarf, I suck in a deep breath, feeling wholly uncertain about being here again.

I steal a glance next door, thankful no one is stirring yet. I’m not ready to see them. Hell, I mayneverbe ready to see Aidan.

I wonder if he’s cozy with Barbara now. It has been three weeks. Our relationship is old news at this point.

With a sigh, I trudge up the walk, noting the steps are freshly cleared. My heart catches at the knowledge that Aidan has been keeping the walkways clean in my absence, but I shake off the emotion.

I can’t allow myself to feel anything but contempt for the man who tore my heart apart.

Now, if I can just winterize the house and set up the listing with the local realtor, I can be on my way back north, never to see Aidan again.

One day, I’m sure I’ll be okay with that decision.

* * *

I jerkawake on the couch, realizing that my lack of sleep these past few weeks has finally caught up. I only meant to rest my eyes. My eyes had other ideas. The house is also downright frigid, likely because I didn’t bother to light the stove when I walked in, but that isn’t what woke me.

From the back end of the house, I hear rustling, and my breath catches.

My biggest fear when I returned to Manhattan was that someone had burglarized my apartment in my absence. It happens—a lot. They watch your home, and they know when you’re gone, especially when it’s more than a week.

Especially when you live alone.

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