Page 120 of Dream a Little Dream

The woman peered over, gave a grimace at Roisin, then turned back to her family.

Roisin barely seemed to register the slight, eyes glittering with an undeterred confidence as they drifted back to Aaron and she tapped her chin with her finger. “Perhaps it will grow on me.” She then leaned forward over the table, a wry smile. “Tell me something extraordinary about yourself. Something only I should know.”

“I’m at university.” She already knew that from Drew, though, didn’t she? That’s what he was here to find out. If what Drew had told him was right. That she was orchestrating him carrying on the family business.

Her face lit up, feigning astonishment, her words breathy. “Mybrilliantboy!” She tapped the table. “Didn’t I tell you? Destined for greatness! I always knew.” She leaned closer, like a spider luring its prey. “It’s in you to be somethingextraordinary.” Roisin then twisted in her seat to the table behind her. “Sharmaine, we have a genius here. A certifiedgenius! Brainsandbeauty.”

The younger girl behind shook her head, continuing her conversation with her visitor.

Aaron took a shallow breath, sensing an opportunity to ask what was clawing at his mind. “Is that what you wanted? For me to be exceptional?”

Her eyes sparkled with a chilling gleam. “Oh, you were always going to be magnificent.” Her words were almost hypnotic. “You’ll be exactly who you were meant to be.”

“And if that’s not whoyouwant me to be? Would you be disappointed?”

She tilted her head, smile fading, voice laced with quiet intensity. “How could I ever be disappointed? You aremymasterpiece. Only I understand you. Only I know the depths you can reach. I made you. Only I could have made you who you are.”

“And if I don’t fulfil the family legacy?”

“The family legacy?” Roisin laughed. “Antiques?”

She wouldn’t admit it. Not even to him. “Did you do all those things they said you did? The reason you’re in here?”

Roisin blinked. Like a robot. “Of course not, darling.”

“But Drew—”

“Oh, yes, I heard some dastardly things abouthim.” Roisin shuddered, wrapping her cardigan around herself. “He did always give me the creeps. Pathological liar, too.” She dipped forward, her voice low. “Could never tell your father, of course, but he had such an infatuation with me.”

“He used to come to our house.”

“Wasn’t itawful?” She tutted. “Frank insisted. All the time.” She sighed. “We now know why.” She waved a hand. “But let’s not talk about such unpleasant things. I want to know aboutyou. Tell me, with that pretty face, is my boy inlove!”

Aaron had to laugh. How she could skate over murder and mayhem as if it was nothing to ask him such a trivial question.

Although, it wasn’t trivial. It was the very thing plaguing his mind for the few months since everything had happened. Since he’d left Kenny’s doorstep and thrown himself into Taylor’s open arms. Since Kenny had put a professional boundary around them by palming him off with a therapist ofhischoosing, having their sessions in an office off campus. Kenny drove him to and from there each week and so the only time they’d been alone was in his car. It had beentorture. Because Kenny, true to his word, had slipped, cruelly and effortlessly, into a platonic relationship with him. They’d only had the one near miss so far, when Aaron had tried to change the song on the stereo and Kenny had meant to slap his hand away, instead holding it for a second too long. Aaron had smirked. Entwined his fingers with Kenny’s. And Kennylethim. Eyes on the road, he’d held his hand the rest of the way.

Thank whomever for automatic cars.

Kenny had also supported him in the case against Drew. Aaron had been a witness for the prosecution, giving evidence behind a screen, enabling him to keep being Aaron. So he could remain on his course. Staywithhim. And that also confused the fuck out of Aaron about how Kennyfelt. He was getting mixed messages. Because Kenny was keeping his distance. Hadn’t kissed him. Touched him. Despite Aaron knowing hewantedhim. And he had a holiday planned in a couple of weeks, leaving Aaron to fend for himself. Aaron tried not to think about that. Because it hurt too much to think Kenny was trying to get away from him. Which made him wonder about the wholelovething. Did love hurt?

In his experience, yes. Yes, it did.

Was he in love with Kenny?

“I’m seeing someone,” Aaron said. “Early days.”

Was six months early days? Was having spent Christmas with Taylor’s family early days? Was letting Taylor call him his boyfriend early days? It was for Aaron. Even if Mel also called Taylor Aaron’s boyfriend. But he still hadn’t given everything to Taylor and knew, deep down, he probably never would. But for now, it kept him from standing outside Kenny’s house.

From creeping closer to him in the car…

Okay, that one was a lie.

They were all lies.

Once a stalker, always a stalker.

“You know no one will ever love you how much you need to be loved,” Roisin said, smile fading and a hint of threat. “No onecan.”

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