Page 31 of Aiden & Lily

She couldn’t fix it for him. She knew that. A person couldn’t pour enough affection into someone to fill every hollow place. But she could listen.

She could see him for who he was.

Christopher heaved out another sigh and forced a smile. “We’re getting on better terms these days. He moved back to town, so there’s that.”

Lily smiled with encouragement. “That’s good.” Then she grimaced. “Would it make me sound like too much of a hypocrite if I said it’s better to forgive and move on than to let it fester?”

He chuckled. “I think forgiving family for something that wasn’t exactly their fault isn’t quite in the same realm as forgiving someone who has wronged you.”

The way he said it sounded so sad.

Did he have experience with that?

Without thinking, she pulled him in for a tight hug. No words needed to be said. She might be opening herself up for trouble by allowing herself to trust him so readily, but perhaps what he said held more weight than either of them had expected.

There was something about him that made her want—more.

More ofthem… together.

9

AIDEN

Aiden’s hands twitched in his lap as he sat across from the two men he really hadn’t been prepared on seeing this afternoon. He blamed it on his brother.

Parker knew there were issues. And he’d insisted on a guys’ outing. He’d wanted to see the cattle dogs that Jason’s wife worked with at her family’s ranch. Said he was interested in adopting one when he found a place of his own.

Aiden was all too aware that this was just a ploy to get everyone together. Inviting Jason had led to inviting his brother Mathew, which had led to including Reese. And now the five of them were seated at a table together.

The restaurant located within the country club was busy for a Saturday afternoon. The moderate hum of conversation might have been comforting if not for the fact that Mathew looked about ready to spit nails.

Did he know?

They’d only just sat down. They hadn’t even gotten their drinks yet. Aiden could feel Parker’s eyes on him, and he wanted to tell him to stop being so obvious.

It seemed as though Mathew had figured something out. He found out and now he knew Aiden was actively chasing the forbidden. Shoot. Mathew was going to out him in front of Reese.

Then what?

Aiden wasn’t going to stop seeing her. He knew that much, and the realization only made his stomach twist harder. Maybe it would be easier if everything was out in the open so he didn’t have to sneak around.

He held his breath, waiting for the inevitable. Bracing himself for the onslaught.

“You… seem tense…” Parker noted. “I know we don’t know each other very well, but…”

The waitress arrived, cutting Parker off. She smiled. “I’ll give you guys a few more minutes.”

Aiden nodded gratefully, then immediately reached for his water. His throat was dry and tight. This was it. Parker had knocked over the first domino.

Jason grunted. He wasn’t exactly the picture of ease, but at least he didn’t seem angry. “He’s just mad because he found out our sister is pregnant.”

Water spewed from Aiden’s mouth, and he rounded on Mathew with wide eyes. “What?”

Mathew scowled at his brother. “Yeah. Apparently, she eloped several weeks ago without telling any of us.”

Jason chuckled dryly. “That’s not even the worst of it.”

“What could be worse than that?” Reese snickered. “I’d say that’s a pretty big deal.”