Page 83 of Make You Stay

My heart isn’t safe anywhere in his vicinity, and for once, I’m putting my needs before my wanton desires.

* * *

I’m upstairswhen the lights go out. No surprise, really, considering the storm, but stupid me didn’t bother to start the stove when I walked in, and now, I get to muddle through it in the dark.

Good times.

Using the light of my phone, I ease down the steps, noting a human-shaped shadow by the stove.

Either the ghosts in this house are also chilly, or Aidan is here.

The ghosts are more welcome at this point.

I storm toward him, wishing I had that candlestick from the other day to swing at his handsome head. “What are you doing in my house?”

He turns, raising his hands in surrender. “You wouldn’t respond to my texts or calls. Did you think I was going to leave it like that? No way, Chloe.”

But my temper is running full blast, with every ounce of anger aimed at him. “Breaking and entering is a felony, asshole.”

“Then call the cops. I won’t resist them.”

Releasing a loud groan, I collapse on the couch, noting the ease with which Aidan lights the stove. He’s not getting a word of thanks, though. No chance of that happening. “What do you want?”

“I want to fix this, Chloe. Tell you what happened at the bar.”

“I saw what happened.”

“No, you think you know, and I get it looks bad, but I didn’t kiss Barbara. She surprised me backstage, and as soon as I turned around, she planted one on me.”

“Am I supposed to believe that?”

“I would hope you would because it’s the truth. There are so many things I need to tell you. How screwed up I’ve been since you left, and how screwed upthatmade me because I wasn’t supposed to feel this way. I’ve never felt this way before.”

“Feelwhatway, Aidan? You pushed me away because I didn’t fit your stupid rule book. Now, you’re screwed up about it? Well, fuck you. You don’t get that luxury.”

Aidan grabs my arms, pulling me close. “You have every right to be mad. But know this—I’m not walking away again.”

“What do you want, Aidan?” I ask, my eyes filling with tears IsworeI wouldn’t shed for him again.

He thumbs my cheeks, his expression soft and tender. “You. I want every facet of you, forever.”

No, I can’t do this again. There must be a statute on how many times a man can break your heart. “But I’m not what you want, and I don’t see there is much else to talk about.”

“We have a lifetime of things to discuss, which is good because I plan on spending all my days with you.” He reaches into his jacket, tossing a box of candy in my direction. “Random segue, but I was at the store before the gig and saw they had Junior Mints.”

I shrug, wondering what drugs this man is smoking if he thinks a box of candy makes a difference. “I’m not forgiving you for a box of Junior Mints.”

Aidan chuckles, kneeling by my side. “How about a case of them?”

My only response is a scowl.

He leans in, pressing his forehead against mine, his fingers looped around mine. “I’ve never been so scared in my life, Chloe, as I was before I played that song. I knew I had one chance to get it right. The right words, the correct approach. It had to be perfect, or it wouldn’t work.”

I pull back, gazing into his green depths. “What are you talking about?”

“How to make you stay. How to make you want the things I want. How to prove to you I want the things you want.”

“But you don’t—”

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