Page 126 of Townshipped
“Let’s talk again. Maybe next week?”
I’m asking Aiden, and maybe I should have waited until after the kids weren’t present in case he doesn’t want to make a habit of this. The idea of not FaceTiming them after we had this call seems unthinkable.
“Next week is great,” Aiden says.
He rubs the back of his neck. Then he says, “Or sooner. If you want.”
Then he turns to Paisley and Ty. “You two go wash up so we can check on the goats. I’m going to say goodbye to Em.”
“I want to say goodbye to Em,” Ty whines.
“Okay. You do that and then you wash up,” Aiden says.
“Bye, Em!” Ty hollers at the screen.
He takes his palm and gives it a sloppy kiss and then throws that invisible smooch right toward me.
I pretend to catch the kiss and put it on my cheek which sends Ty into a fit of giggles. Paisley smiles shyly.
“Bye, Paisley. I really like your beautiful drawing.”
“Thanks, Em,” she says, hopping off the stool as she says, “Bye.”
Aiden walks away from the kitchen and I can see the background of the house behind him: the kitchen windows and then the hallway leading toward his office and my guest room. He enters his office and shuts the door.
“That was a treat,” I tell him.
“For us too,” he says with a warm smile. “It’s really good to see your face.”
“This old thing?” I joke, pointing to my face.
“Mm-hmm,” he says.
The look he gives me is identical to the expressions that would cross his face right before we kissed. He’s all serious and sexy and focused. I have to keep things light or I’ll be liable to book a red-eye to see him tonight when I haven’t even been invited.
In my fantasy, I’d show up and he’d run down the driveway, pick me up and twirl me and then he’d pull me in and we’d kiss while I raked my hands through his hair and he brushed circles across my back.
Of course, he’d beg me to stay in Bordeaux, and I’d pretend to consider the plea in his voice for a decent minute or more, just so I didn’t seem as eager as I am. Then I’d relent and he’d kiss me again, pulling me into his solid embrace while I ran my hands over his biceps and held on to him, vowing to never leave again.
I clear my throat. Life isn’t a fantasy.
I don’t know what we’re doing. All I know is I’ll take even a few texts, calls, and a weekly FaceTime if that’s all Aiden has to offer for now.
“I just wanted to say goodbye without the kids around,” he says, leaving so much unsaid.
“Kind of like when we’d eat ice cream after bedtime?” I ask, sticking my toe over the line, knowing Gabriela will be proud of me for pushing things a little.
“Exactly like that,” he says, his eyes full of roguishness.
We stare at one another and I try to tamp down the flutter in my belly.
Chemistry. Check.
I didn’t imagine that after all. Our chemistry would pop beakers and overheat Bunsen burners. We’ve got chemistry.
For me, though, what I feel for Aiden is so much more than chemistry. Does he feel it too?
“You don’t have to wait a week to call me,” I tell him, reiterating his nervous invitation.
