Page 92 of Aiden & Lily

Was that why Lily liked him so much? Because the way he treated her came so easily? He didn’t have to try when he was with her.

“That’s because she’s everything to me,” he whispered.

Reese’s smile widened a little. “Then keep showing her that. And maybe, once I’ve had some time to cool down, I’ll put in a good word for you.”

Aiden glanced back toward the side of the house and winced. “I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

“Why not?” Reese demanded.

He shrugged. “I think I need to give her a little space. I don’t want to ruin what’s left of her party.” Aiden thumbed toward histruck. “I’m going to get going. If she asks, you can tell her I went home and we can talk later.”

“You sure?” Reese pressed. “I can cause a distraction?—”

“I’m sure,” Aiden said decisively. He fidgeted a little under Reese’s scrutiny. “It’s fine. I’m sure she’ll find me when she’s ready.”

Reese offered a wry smile. “I’m sure you’re right.”

26

LILY

“Will you stop following me around? I’m fine.”

Jasmine snorted. “If you were fine, you wouldn’t be biting my head off right now.”

Lily whirled to face her twin. “If you weren’t stalking me at my own birthday party, I wouldn’t have to bite your head off right now.”

Affronted, Jasmine poked Lily in the sternum. “Our birthday party. I was there the day we were born too, if you recall. And I’m pretty sure I came out first, even though Mom and Dad say otherwise.”

Lily’s mouth dropped open. “What?”

Jasmine was trying to bite back a smile, but Lily wasn’t going to get distracted by that. She could feel the amusement from her sister pouring off her in waves. Jasmine lifted her chin and folded her arms. “Clearly, I’m more mature than you. So I had to have come out first.”

The laughter that burst from Lily’s throat was more disbelief than anything else. “That’s… that’s a low blow.”

Her twin shrugged. “I tell it how I see it. Now, are you going to tell me what happened with you and Aiden… and Reese? Or am I going to have to track him down myself? Oh, look. He’s right over there.”

Jasmine turned in that direction, but Lily’s hand shot out and caught her wrist.

“Don’t you dare,” she hissed.

Normally, Lily wouldn’t mind sharing the more intimate details of her feelings with someone she trusted. Jasmine was her closest confidant. She was the one Lily went to for advice and to feel sane again when things got a little crazy.

Like they had today.

But something was holding her back. The way she felt about Aiden seemed too personal. She didn’t want Jasmine pushing her opinions on the matter. Somehow, Lily knew that if Jasmine chose this moment to remind her she shouldn’t be handing out second chances like candy on Halloween, part of her would be inclined to agree.

And yet that didn’t feel completely right either.

Aiden needed someone to understand where his fear came from. But understanding it didn’t make what he had done acceptable, and it didn’t mean Lily had to decide anything before she was ready.

That was why she hadn’t made any decisions yet.

She couldn’t.

“Something is bothering you,” Jasmine pointed out for what felt like the hundredth time. “And I don’t like it. Today is our birthday, and it should be filled with love and excitement. No Debbie Downers. So you can either tell me what’s going on, or I can go on a sleuthing adventure on my own.”

“Someone say my name?”