Page 56 of Aiden & Lily

“Yeah, maybe.” Parker’s gaze drifted toward the crowd. “But right now, I have a lot on my plate. And I don’t think it would do me any favors if I started having feelings for someone who’s just like me when it comes to trusting people. We’re too alike. It would never work.”

The certainty in his voice sounded rehearsed.

Aiden considered his words. Parker had made several good points. As much as Aiden wanted to see his brother happy with someone, Parker clearly wasn’t ready for that kind of life-changing event.

He blew out a breath and nodded. “Yeah, I get it.” He shifted so he could take in the outdoor party. “Lily and Jasmine seem to have outdone themselves, yeah?”

Aiden needed a change in subject. If they continued discussing relationships, he might find himself drowning. Already, he was struggling to keep his head above water when it came to the guilt over keeping his relationship from Mathew.

“Yeah, it looks great.”

Pink and blue balloons floated from centerpieces at every table. There were at least a dozen tables, if not more, covered with white tablecloths and baby-themed confetti. Two refreshment tables stood off to one side. One with sweets and another with small hoagies and savory snacks. Music played from a speaker somewhere, and presents were gathering on yet another long table.

People grouped off with others they knew, and Aiden couldn’t help but seek out the one person he wanted to spend time with.

Parker nudged him. “You know, it’s probably a good thing you said I had a thing for Jasmine.”

“How do you figure?”

“Well, that means if the girls are together and we hang out with them, no one will bat an eye.”

Aiden straightened, and for the first time since he’d arrived, he grinned. “You’re right. Mathew will think we’re chatting with them because of your crush and not my…”

“But that doesn’t mean I approve of you keeping this from him,” Parker interrupted, throwing a pot of cold water over Aiden’s excitement. “I still think it would be best for you to say something. I don’t want to see you get hurt if this blows up in your face.”

The grin slipped from Aiden’s face. He knew Parker was right.

That was the worst part.

“Well aware, brother. I know exactly how you feel on the matter. No need to remind me.”

At that very moment, Lily and Jasmine slipped through the crowd. Lily’s eyes landed on him, and the world felt righted once more. He exhaled and took a step forward, only for his brother’s hand to shoot out and grip his bicep.

“Easy, tiger. Let them come to us. We don’t need anyone getting the wrong impression.”

Aiden glared at Parker, and his brother chuckled. “How about we pick through some of these cookies and brownies? Then we can all go sit at a table and chat.”

“Did someone say brownies?” Jasmine asked as they reached the group.

“Hey,” Lily murmured quietly. “I wasn’t sure you were going to come.”

“Oh, Penny and me? We go way back.”

Aiden glanced past her toward the crowd in search of Mathew. When he didn’t see him, he leaned a little closer to Lily.

“Twenty minutes,” he murmured. “Meet me on the south side of the barn.”

Her eyes widened, and warmth flashed in their cerulean depths.

Aiden pulled back and grabbed a plate. “Parker here gave us a genius cover story. Wanna tell them what you confessed to Mathew?”

Parker chuckled. Then, in the most nonchalant way, he looked over the group before letting his eyes land on Jasmine.

“Shh. Don’t tell Jazz, but I have a major crush on her.”

She snickered. “You didn’t.”

“Aiden here didn’t give me much of a choice. He’s the one who nearly…”