Page 51 of Townshipped
“Granger’s perfect,” I say softly.
Somehow, as we’ve been talking, we ended up toe to toe, staring into one another’s eyes. Aiden’s hand cups my elbow and his thumb rubs back and forth in comforting strokes behind my arm. His face looks worn and weary. Maybe it’s not only out of concern for me, but there’s no denying my presence adds to his obligations.
I put my hand on his forearm. “It’s all going to work out.”
His voice is low and gravelly when he answers me. “Thanks, Em.”
He pulls me into a hug as if he does this all the time. I’m reminded of our middle- of-the-night kiss—how it felt to be held, wanted, and possessed by him. He’s been more restrained since last night, even when I send him subtle flirtations.
I understand, even though I don’t like it. So much is unknown about me. I can’t even make him any promises. I would if I could—I’d promise him anything, everything.
“Okay,” Laura says from her spot near the car.
I snap away from Aiden. We were only hugging, but it feels like we were caught doing so much more.
“Okay,” I say.
“Okay,” Aiden says.
“Okie dokie,” Laura says.
We all laugh.
I walk over to the passenger side of Laura’s car and Aiden stands in the driveway as we pull away. When I glance at the side mirror, I can still see him watching us as Laura turns onto the road.
“Such a guardian, that one,” Laura says.
“He’s a good man,” I defend.
“Oh, he is. One of the best.”
* * *
We pullup in front of a charming house on a tree-lined street a lot like the one where Aiden’s parents live. Laura walks up the walkway and I follow. She knocks once and a young woman I haven’t met yet answers the door. She’s adorable with her flawless makeup, wavy blond hair, and cute outfit.
“You came! Guys, they’re here!”
Laura introduces me to Shannon. So, this is Shannon—the one Laura was teasing Duke about. I picture the two of them together, even though Duke has a woman he’s seeing. Everyone seems to think that’s not where his heart belongs.
A bulldog stands slowly and lets out an odd noise as he walks over and sniffs my shoes and then my leg. His sniffing sounds more like snorting. He’s not stopping either. His snorts increase and he even slobbers a little as he continues to explore my pants with his snuffling nose.
“That’s Groucho,” Shannon explains.
“He probably smells the stray,” Laura says, and then she turns toward Shannon. “Aiden took in a stray.”
“Of course, he did,” Shannon answers. “That man can’t resist a stray.”
I’m a stray.
Lexi comes out from the kitchen with another young woman I never met who has her light brown hair pulled up into a ponytail. She’s dressed casually. Her jeans and graphic T-shirt are a stark contrast to Shannon’s fashionable skirt over leggings and wrap top.
“I’m Jayme,” she says. “It’s so good to finally meet you. Shannon and I were debating coming out to see you when Lexi and Laura came with the guys, but we didn’t want to overwhelm you. We know how Bordeaux can be with new people—sort of like vultures over carrion.”
“Vocabulary,” Shannon says as if she’s chiding a preschooler for picking her nose.
“I’m pretty sure most adults know what carrion is,” Jayme answers her.
“Jayme’s a writer,” Shannon explains. “Her vocabulary is her downfall.”
