Page 68 of Aiden & Lily

“Of course! I’ve always believed people should live the life that makes the most sense for them. If being with Lily makes you happy, then Mathew will have to adjust.” Jasmine’s expression softened. “Love is worth fighting for, as long as both people are fighting for the same thing.”

Lily exchanged a look with Aiden. Staring into his eyes made her believe this could be it for her. They could truly have a future together, and nothing could have made her happier.

Aiden turned his attention to his brother. “I guess you’re next, huh?”

Parker frowned. “Next for what? Making your friends mad?” He chuckled at his own joke, but no one else joined in. His smile dropped. “Come on. That was at least a little funny.”

“No,” Aiden drawled. “You’re next to find someone. You moved here for the job, but you decided to stay.”

“Not for a woman,” Parker scoffed. He glanced at Lily, then Jasmine. “No offense.”

Jasmine waved a hand through the air. “None taken.”

Parker started to fidget, and Lily narrowed her eyes.

“But you are staying for something,” she said. “Right?”

He shifted again, his ears turning pink. Gripping the back of his neck, he looked away. “I’ve been talking to my lawyer about something. It turns out it would be better if I had a stable home.”

Jasmine snorted. “A stable home? Are you thinking about adopting a dog?”

“Or something,” Parker muttered.

Lily watched him, her curiosity building, but she knew better than to press. She’d kept enough secrets of her own to understand that some things couldn’t be shared before a person was ready. When Parker wanted them to know, he would tell them.

“I think you should get a shih tzu,” Jasmine announced before popping a grape into her mouth.

All three of them turned to stare at her.

“What?” she asked. “Don’t you think Parker would look adorable walking through town with one of those fluffy little dogs? He could even put a pink bow in her hair.”

Parker shook his head. “Not happening, Jasmine. I’d rather get a cat.”

Jasmine placed a hand over her chest. “I don’t think there’s a cat alive that would tolerate you for more than a day.”

“Hey, that’s not true.” Parker tossed a chip in her direction. It bounced off her shoulder and landed on the blanket.

Jasmine plucked it from the fabric and made a show of crunching it between her teeth. “Thanks for the chip.”

He shook his head, but his smile remained. For a moment, the two of them simply looked at each other, Parker’s expression quieter than his teasing had been.

Not for the first time, Lily glanced around their small group and imagined a future where afternoons like this were normal—a picnic in the summer shade, children running through the grass, and the people she loved gathered close.

Maybe there would even be a dog running around.

Or, if Parker had any say in it, a cat.

19

AIDEN

The sun was just about to come up. Normally, Aiden would be getting off a graveyard shift at the hospital, but he had another day off. In a few hours, he’d be heading out to the build site to work with Parker.

Funny how he didn’t mind spending time with his brother as much these days. Parker had become more than just his brother. He’d become a confidant and a friend—something Aiden hadn’t expected after the way things had gone between them when they were younger.

Lily rested her cheek against his shoulder as they swayed on the porch swing, coffees in hand. She hummed softly to herself, the tune unfamiliar.

The quiet of the morning was nice, but spending it with her was even better.