Page 56 of Almost True
I exhaled a small laugh, relief coursing through me. “Thank God,” I said, and hugged her to me. She held me close for a minute before stepping back.
“Okay, but now that we’ve decided that, I need you to stay away from me.”
Alarm shot through me. “Oh?”
She bit her lip as her eyes slipped over me like a sheet pulling down, down. “Yes. Because I cannot be trusted near you in that suit.”
CHAPTERTHIRTY
Maddie
The next two weeks were something out of a dream. Aidan was working like a maniac, but he was so attentive and engaging, it didn’t feel lonely. Every moment was filled with anticipation and fun. We’d managed one quick date the next weekend, but his babysitter had called just as we were finishing dinner and said she was sick. Other than that evening out in town, we’d had coffee at Rise and Shine and managed two other outings with Luca.
I wasn’t exactly qualified to evaluate such things, but the younger Wallace was definitely gifted. The obvious element of being moved up a grade and taking advanced math obviously proved that, but I saw glimpses of a truly shrewd mind. Between his love of reading and his grilling me on different aspects of my business like he was a new applicant to our internship program, he was an average eleven-year-old with moods and the desire for attention. He also gave his dad a run for his money, which was adorable and dangerous.
Adorable, because I loved seeing Aidan respond to him. Dangerous because… he was such a good dad. The man was patient and kind, and even when I could tell he was exhausted, he still put his child first. I couldn’t be mad when he wasn’t available because he was busy helping Luca with this or that because I loved that he was like that. My dad hadn’t helped me with anything. Truly, I couldn’t think of a single thing my father had ever done to aid my development one way or another.
But finally,finally, three weeks after Night in Bloom and just days from what I was fast learning was a favorite local holiday, I had Aidan to myself. I’d woken with a headache and felt a little off, but nothing was going to keep me from enjoying this day together. The calendar was slipping by and what used to be months was now only weeks. Weeks left to enjoy the man I’d been dreaming about for actual years.
Weeks until I had to wake up.
I wouldn’t think aboutthat.
“Have you done this one?” Aidan asked as we pulled up to a familiar trailhead.
“I think I’ve done the Pine Ridge trail, but just the shorter loop. Which one were you thinking?” I asked, breathing in the scent of wildflowers and pines as I exited his truck.
“I think we’ll do the Sego Lily Bypass Trail, if you’re up for it? It’s got a great little waterfall and some nice views.” He pulled his cap down low on his head and swung his backpack over one shoulder.
“Sure. I’m up for anything.” I meant it, even if I didn’t quitefeelit. A headache hovered stage left of my brain, and I hadn’t been able to eat much this morning, but I was queen of pushing through. I didn’t get sick, and all this fresh air would set me to rights.
I followed him to the trail and he turned to look at me. “Nice boots.”
“Thanks. My effort at embracing my time here.”
Anthony had ordered me top-of-the-line hiking boots when I mentioned wanting to hike. Dahlia and Sarah had started going on hikes with a local group and had dragged me with them once. That was all it took to hook me, and I was convinced one of Anthony’s favorite things was buying niche equipment that was extremely useful, like a champagne pressurized stopper or the perfect mini speaker for workouts or, as was the most recent case, hiking boots.
Aidan must’ve liked this answer, because he reached up and ran his thumb over my cheek. An odd, sweet gesture that I liked way too much. I wished he’d lean down and kiss me since we hadn’t had anything more than a quick peck in greeting or farewell since Night in Bloom.
“All right. Let’s go,” he said, those dark eyes staring into mine under the brim of his hat.
“Let’s do it,” I agreed and grinned at the way he just stayed there, gazing at me for a moment. His hand slipped down my neck with a soft, fleeting caress, and then he turned.
“Anytime you want to go first, let me know, but I’ll get us going since the trail diverges a few times in the first half mile.”
And with that, we were off. I kept pace with him fairly effectively the first mile. We’d gained crazy elevation and my legs burned like I’d done squats and lunges as a full-time job before starting the hike, which didn’t make any sense. I tried to focus on the scenery and even let myself indulge in appreciating Aidan’s long legs and yes, sue me, his butt. But half an hour in, I was desperate for the break when it came.
I slumped onto a nearby rock and dumped my small pack down next to me.
“It’s warming up quickly. Not sure we’ll want to do the full trail if it keeps getting hotter like this,” he said, stance wide and then head tipped back to take a long drink from his water bottle.
I fumbled with my bag, pulling my own water from its spot and taking a sip. My stomach rolled and a wave of heat made my skin prickle. I’d worn summer-weight running tights since Leo, one of the women who led the summer hikes, suggested pants were preferable to shorts despite the heat. On top, I’d worn a linen button-up and a white tank and sports bra underneath. I’d figured the loose, light top would keep me warm if it got chilly—hilarious—and keep the sun and bugs off my skin.
But just now? That shirt felt like a punishment for some crime I’d committed in a past life. I ripped it off so fast I nearly tore the sleeve, then blotted my forehead where tiny speckles of sweat had sprung up in the last few minutes. I didn’t mind getting sweaty or working out, but this was unusual for me.
“You okay over there?” Aidan said, crossing to me with concern notching his brow.
“Yeah, just overheated. I’ll be good in a minute.” I smiled, hoping it’d convince him. As much as part of me wanted to call it and just go back, I also wanted to do this hike and have lunch with him after. I wanted this day with him since odds were I wouldn’t get another big chunk of time until we went out for his birthday later this week. And the reality of my like for Aidan meant I wanted every minute I could get.
