Page 64 of The Vow We Made
The moment is lost. I try and break away, at least to give us a respectable amount of space, but Aiden’s hold of me is firm. They’re mid-conversation until they enter the room and notice our close proximity, but Aiden makes no move to put distance between us. I know he has utter respect for my parents but he also wants to make a statement and uses his body language to do it. His only objective is to make them understand he means business and although Dad gave him the cold shoulder earlier, I see his face soften when he registers what is going on.
Steph barges forward, trying desperately to cover the smirk now spread across her face. “Tea Vickie darling? Aiden? Or would you like something to cool you down.” She bats her eyelashes repeatedly in our direction but out of my parent’s sight and I have to hold it together while keeping the conversation serious. Steph is loving this.
“Tea would be lovely, thank you.”
“For me too,” Aiden returns and matches her smirk. There’s a silent communication between these two. Nothing too obvious but it’s there. I think they’ve been scheming, but I don’t really care. Whatever plan they’ve put together, it’s certainly working for me.
* * *
Mum and Dad stay for an hour, and although we settle into easy conversation, Mum seems unsure of Aiden. He talks animatedly to both my parents but nothing was going to win Mum over easily. My dad was different. By the time they left, he was more comfortable and even accepted Aiden’s handshake. It’s definitely a step in the right direction, but poor Aiden is not out of the woods yet. My parents are old school and it will take more than pleasant conversation and a friendly visit to convince them completely.
After seeing my parents out and spending a good ten minutes gossiping with them in the hallway, Steph pokes her head around the door. “Food’s ready,” she sings.
As if on cue my stomach rumbles. “I’m starving.” I’m about to push myself up from my seat when she interrupts. “Don’t get up, I’ll bring it in. Aiden, can you help me a second?”
“Will you be alright?” he asks.
“I’m not planning on swinging from the light fittings in the next five minutes, so I’m sure I’ll be fine.” I smile up at him as he leaves the room and points at me with fake warning.
“Don’t move.”
While I’m alone, I wonder what Steph and my parents were talking about. They’re very close as Mum was more of a nanny to Steph, during her younger years. They’re bound to analyse every stage of the visit, but luckily, I have Steph on my side. She must be, otherwise Aiden wouldn’t have got through the front door.
Aiden enters the room again with a tray in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. I shuffle around to adjust my seating position.
“Hold on, I’ll help you.” He settles the tray on the table before coming over to my side. Taking a cushion from the armchair, he puts it on top of the coffee table in front of me, then carefully places my plastered foot to rest. “Okay? Comfortable?”
“Yes, thank you.” I smile as Steph steps back into the room with another tray in hand.
“Here you go Aiden, here’s yours. I’ve got to run.”
“You’re not staying?” I question.
“Hot date, but Aiden will take care of you.”
I feel so guilty she’s not joining us. “But you’ve gone to all this trouble.” I hope she’s telling the truth and isn’t leaving because she feels like a third wheel.
“It was no trouble and Aiden helped. He’s actually a very good cook.” I think she’s joking because Aiden’s shocked expression is a picture. Before he can open his mouth and put her right, Steph calls back, “I’m going to be late at this rate.”
She’s gone before we know it and from halfway down the hall she shouts, “Have a lovely time and don’t wait up.” The sudden slam of the door confirms her exit.
“She wasn’t hanging about,” Aiden remarks.
“Hmm, I wonder who the lucky man is.” I wiggle my eyebrows, but I wouldn’t suggest that lucky man was Will. Aiden may not be aware of what’s going on between them.
“I’m sure we’ll get to hear all the gory details, whether we like it or not,” Aiden says, settling the tray on my lap and handing me a glass before picking up his own.
Our glasses chime together and we both take a sip. I wonder if he knows more than I give him credit for.
After dinner, Aiden wastes no time refilling our glasses, returning to his seat and placing his arm over the back of the sofa, almost around my shoulders. “So now you’ve had some time to think about where you and I are going, do you have an answer for me?”
“You’re eager Doctor James, I’ll give you that.”
“Stop avoiding it.”
“Aiden.”
“Victoria.” His fingertips brush the side of my neck, gently running up and down. My stomach flutters, my face heats and I can’t think of a single reason why I shouldn’t give him another chance, but my dilemma doesn’t really lie with accepting Aiden’s proposal or not. I’ve already decided I want this to work, but I’m mulling over if now is the right time to tell him about Andy or not. I turn away, biting the inside of my cheek. He picks up on the turmoil going on within me and asks, “Don’t hold back, tell me what you’re thinking.”
I shake my head and smile. “No, it’s nothing bad. It’s more to do—” I stop mid-sentence and Aiden strokes the back of his hand across my cheek. “What is it Vick?”
He’s never shortened my name before, but hearing him say it that way makes me smile. “It’s nothing that can’t wait.” I breathe in and say, “So yes, Aiden. Let’s pick up where we left off and see where this takes us.”
He wraps his arms firmly around my shoulders, holding me close. “Thank God. I thought I’d lost you for a while there.”
“Do I remember you once telling me how it’s good to keep a man on his toes?”
“That must have been someone else,” he smirks as he draws back. Then with a more serious tone to his voice, he adds, “Vick, I’m sure we both have things we want to say, but to make it clear about where I see us going, we have all the time in the world and I intend to be here whenever you need me from now on.”
I curl back against him, hoping he holds that thought. I need him to feel this way when I tell him about my cheating, lying husband and all the emotional baggage that comes with it.
