Page 64 of Come Back To Me

“Yeah, I told her about Kenzi’s accident. She understands.”

“That you’re still in love with my sister.” It came out as an affirmation, rather than a question, and when I didn’t confirm or deny Aiden’s observation he added, “You ran out of here the moment she called for help when I could have gone, while your kind-of-girlfriend was entertaining your guests. Dead giveaway if ever I saw one.”

“It sounds so much worse when you say it that way,” I murmured, dropping my empty bottle beside my chair.

“We do crazy things when it comes to love.”

My brows arched. “Are you saying you’re in love with Staci?”

“So fucking whipped, man. I’m going to marry her.”

My mouth fell open at his admission, and he laughed when he caught my expression.

“Why are you surprised?”

“I’m not. Staci is amazing.”

Aiden looked back at the house. “She is. Fuck knows what she sees in a guy like me.”

He was a good guy, that’s what she saw. “Hurt her, and I’ll have to kill you.”

“Same to you, man. Hurt my sister and I’ll kill you.”

“Your sister and I aren’t together.”

“Are you sure about that, King? Because from where I’m sitting, I can’t imagine a better man for my sister.”

“Thanks.” I tilted my beer towards him. “But, we’re still not together and I’m not sure we ever will be. If she doesn’t get her memory back…”

“Why does it matter?” I frowned, and Aiden continued, “You still love her, right?”

The words “Of course” fell from my lips without conscious thought.

“Then,” shrugged Aiden. “I see no reason for you to give up.”

“You’re not making sense, Aiden.” He wasn’t. I couldn’t figure out what he was getting at, short of speaking gibberish.

“Look, she may never get her memory back, and that sucks, but what if instead of trying to move on, you tried to get her back?”

“Okay,” I laughed, even if I didn’t find this conversation remotely amusing, “Being with Staci has made you a sap.”

“I’m serious Vaughan. What if the key to getting her back is starting from scratch? I mean, you do want her back don’t you?” I didn’t say anything, which Aiden took as his cue to continue. “Good, that’s settled. You have my permission to date my sister.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Question is, what are you going to do about it?”

I opened my mouth, and then snapped it shut when words failed me. Was he suggesting what I thought he was? If so, why hadn’t I thought about it before?

Right. Because of Alex.

Who was no longer in the picture.

A minute later, it clicked.

I was fighting to move on from what Kenzi and I had, instead of fighting for what we could have. For what can still be.