Page 94 of Aiden & Lily

Reese didn’t budge even though Jasmine attempted to wheel him away. “I know our opportunity has passed. It’s fine. And I’m glad we were able to stay friends.” He shrugged out from Jasmine’s hold. “I’d never cross the line with you, Lils. Ever.”

She smiled her thanks.

“So what are you going to do?” Jasmine asked. “With Aiden. Please tell me you didn’t break up with him.”

Lily immediately felt sick to her stomach. “Of course not. At least… not yet.”

Jasmine’s expression softened.

“I still love him,” Lily continued. “That didn’t disappear because I found out what he did. But I don’t trust him the way I did yesterday.”

Neither Jasmine nor Reese said anything.

“I know I had this thing about second chances,” Lily went on. “I used to think people didn’t really need them. They wereeither good people or bad people. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. There’s a lot of gray out there.”

She ignored the triumphant look that briefly crossed her sister’s face.

“That doesn’t mean every mistake should be brushed aside,” Lily added. “And it doesn’t mean what Aiden did was small. He kept something important from me, even after I gave him chances to tell me the truth.”

Her head felt tight, and it had started to thrum with her pulse.

“I’m going to let things settle,” she said. “I don’t want to make a decision while I’m this upset. But if we stay together, he’s going to have to rebuild my trust.”

“Makes sense,” Jasmine said. “You’ve gone your whole life believing one thing, only to realize it isn’t as simple as you thought. You’re growing.” She nudged Lily with her elbow. “My baby sister is finally growing up.”

Reese frowned. “You guys are twins.”

Lily rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to her. She’s making stuff up.”

“Am not. I’m totally more mature than you.”

“Denial isn’t just a river, you know,” Lily shot back.

Jasmine gasped. “Rude!”

Lily ignored her outburst and turned toward Reese. “But I should probably tell Aiden I still care about him. I don’t want him misunderstanding the talk we had. The last thing I need is for him to think we’re over and decide there’s no reason to try.”

The way Reese’s entire demeanor shifted, as though he wasn’t prepared to give her bad news, made Lily’s whole body go rigid.

“Where is he, Reese?” she asked quietly, surprised that she kept her voice level.

“He… left.”

Her stomach bottomed out. Pain lanced through her heart and made the ache in her head seem like a tickle.

“He’s gone?”

It was her birthday. How could he leave without saying goodbye? Why wouldn’t he at least come talk to her?

She could feel herself getting more upset. She had given him chance after chance, and he was still running when things became difficult. A warm hand rested on her forearm, and she looked up to find Reese watching her with concern.

“It’s not what you think,” he said. “Aiden didn’t leave because he was scared to talk to you.”

“How would you know?” Her voice cracked. “He just left. Without a word.”

“He thought it would be a good idea to give you some space.”

“I didn’t ask him for space.”