Page 16 of Wild Mistake
Forever and always,
Aiden
SARAH
PRESENT DAY
Aiden Walker is backin town.For good.
What in the actual fuck?
I try not to stare as he leaves the diner and walks toward his dad’s old truck, but it’s impossible. As if he weren’t handsome enough, his backside in those jeans makes me remember things I shouldn’t.
Nights out by the lake.
Lazy Sundays in the back of his truck.
Stolen moments when he was on leave.
I shake off the memories. Lord help me. It’s been too long since I’ve been fucked properly. I’m still watching him leave as a car pulls in next to his. He pauses, waiting for the driver to get out before moving to his door.
I recognize her immediately. She comes in every day after the lunch rush and orders the same thing: a diet soda and a half sandwich with a side salad. She spends the entire time with her nose in a book and leaves a generous tip, but other than that I haven’t gotten to know her at all. Now I’m wishing I had.
Aiden says something to her, but I can’t read his lips.
The smile she gives him in return is blinding.
A flash of jealously rips through my chest. The visceral reaction catches me off guard. Aiden isn’t mine. I gave him up years ago. I have no business going green with envy because he stops to talk to another woman.
A beautiful, put together, charming woman. A woman who looks like she spends an hour on her elliptical before starting the day. Basically, everything I’m not.
A better person would turn away. I can’t help but watch them.
If he knows her, I surmise he doesn’t know her well. He doesn’t greet her with a hug, or stand too close.
They go back and forth, talking and trading smiles that sour my stomach.Fuck.He used to flirt with me like that.
The thought fills me with a bundle of conflicting feelings.
Aiden is free to flirt with whomever he wants. I’m not his keeper. Besides, I’m not looking to start a relationship. Especially with him.
After a few more exchanges, she tips her head back and laughs at something he says.
He finally moves toward his driver’s side door.
I turn away from the window before I’m caught staring. I go back to clear the table Aiden was sitting in, my good mood spoiled. I hate that most. That without intention I gave him the power to influence my day.
Folding the dollar bills he left, I shove them into the front pocket of my apron. I don’t have to count them; Aiden would never short me or anyone. I’ll close it out at the register later.
As the door jingles at the entry of a customer, I paste on a fake smile and turn to greet the woman from the parking lot.
She’s still smiling from her encounter with Aiden. “Good afternoon.”
I’m sure it is.“The usual?” I ask.
“Yes, please,” she says, glancing around the mostly empty diner. “Mind if I take the table by the window?” She asks this every time. I always thought it was endearing, until today when everything about this woman irrationally annoys me.
“No, I think someone else wants that table.”
