Page 112 of Instigator

“Hmm?”

“I think I could tell you anything. Even before we knew each other, I’ve always been able to talk to you. With you.”

My breath catches. “Wish…”

“But if we want our relationship to be healthy, I can’t rely on you to help manage my feelings. I have to do that on my own.” His blue eyes soften, fondness crinkling the edges. “I know you’re here for me. And I respect that this is something you can’t do for me. I have to do this.”

“You do,” I murmur, squeezing his hand. “And I’ll stand beside you every step of the way, encouraging you, supporting you. Cheering you on.”

“You’ve always done that,” he says. He swallows, his throat bobbing with the motion. “You’ve been there for me through so much over the years. And yeah, we kept a lot of things to ourselves, but you’ve been there. Letting me work through my thoughts. Giving me space. I don’t think I’ve ever said how much it meant to me.”

Aidan takes my hand, bringing it to his lips to kiss my knuckles. “I’m incredibly fond of you, Ceci. You’ve meant so much to me for so long, and this new step… I’m so fucking glad it was you.”

“Me too.”

When he draws me closer, I straddle him on the bed, winding my arms around his neck. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, rubbing the pad of his thumb down the bridge of my nose.

“I’m crazy about you, Annie,” he whispers, before he kisses me.

My eyelids flutter closed, and I pour everything I have into the kiss. Wordlessly, I tell him exactly how I feel about him. How he makes me stronger. Braver. More supported. Desired. Appreciated.

All I’ve ever wanted was for someone to see me for who I am. Beneath the mask, beneath the bravado. And Aidan sees through my bullshit to who I am at my core. He always has, even when we were Wish and Annie, hiding who we were.

He likes me the way I am, and I wanted that. But I didn’t know how much I needed it too. How much of a relief it is to find it in him.

I’m not letting this man go. Not without a fight.

forty-two

. . .

Aidan

My tie constricts my windpipe until I can hardly breathe. I tug at the knot, trying to get some relief, but it doesn’t make a difference. I still feel like I’m about to choke from the strip of silk.

“Are you sure about this?” I mutter to Hailey.

We’re in the vestibule of the courthouse. Ryan and his parents are a few feet away, his mother fussing over his tie and smoothing his jacket.

My sister is wearing a white dress with fancy lace and delicate beading. I don’t know all the details, only that Ceci arranged for a local bridal boutique to bring some samples by the apartment, Hailey picked out a dress, and I handed over my credit card. Forty-eight hours later, she’s wearing a wedding dress and looking beautiful.

She didn’t want a veil. Her long blond hair is pulled up into a fancy style, and she’s wearing a delicate pink headband. Or is it a tiara? I’m uncertain. Some sort of headdress.

All I know is she looks every bit the beautiful bride she is, and I couldn’t be happier. For her, and for my best friend.

She rolls her eyes. “Am I sure I want to get married?”

“I’ve got the car, we can book it out of here in ten seconds flat.”

I’m only halfway joking. I know she’s not about to cut and run, but on the off chance she needs to get away, I’ll happily drive her anywhere she needs to go.

“Does your impending freak-out have to do with my getting married, or the idea that you won’t be?”

I gulp in air. “The first one.”

“Really? Why?”

“Because it’s you and me.” I turn to her, taking her hand in mine. “It’s always been you and me. Ever since Mom and Dad…”