Page 28 of Finding Happily Ever After
“Rules?”
He shrugged a little, suddenly bashful. “I know it’s very old-fashioned, but I have rules about dating and…well, sex.”
Natalie perked up.
“I don’t have sex on the first date.” He looked both apologetic and disappointed. “I just think...”
“You don’t need to explain. I completely agree.”
“You do?”
“Don’t look so surprised.” She laughed.
“Oh no.” He held up his hands. “That’s not what I meant at all. I was just—”
“Really.” Natalie stood. “It’s fine. I really do agree with you.”
“I’m so glad.” His shoulders sagged with relief. “Because I really like you, Natalie, and, I know it’s still early, but maybe things with us could actually…”
He didn’t need to finish the sentence. She nodded. “Maybe they can.” She gathered up her coat and purse.
“Let me walk you home.”
“No. It’s fine. I think maybe the space is a good idea.”
“I can’t disagree.” Aiden put his hand on her arm and squeezed gently, as if he were reluctant to let go, as he leaned in to give her a sweet kiss on the cheek. “I really had a great night, Natalie. Can we do it again soon?”
“I’d really like that.”
As Natalie turned to the door to leave, she caught a glimpse of the mostly untouchedlife-changingcoffee on the table and smiled to herself. She had a very strong feeling that it wasn’t going to be the coffee that was life changing but the man who had made it.
ChapterNine
It had been almosta week since Aiden had almost broken his self-imposed dating rule. A rule that, ever since he upheld it, he’d been regretting. Everything had felt so right with Natalie. The date had gone perfectly. They were connecting. And the kiss.Damn, that kiss.If that kiss, and the one after it and the one after that, was any indication of the chemistry that they had together, they were going to absolutely explode when they finally came together.
Whenever that would be.
Aiden was starting to feel like a second date might never happen.
He needed to keep reminding himself that it had only been a week and he needed to be patient. Still, it was frustrating that despite multiple attempts, their schedules just hadn’t matched up. Maybe it was true that absence made the heart grow fonder, but he was starting to really miss her. Which meant he was going to have to start getting creative about spending time with her. Because even if they couldn’t squeeze in an actual date, he really didn’t want to go another whole week without seeing her face.
And he could do creative. Especially if it meant sneaking in a quick kiss.
He was also acutely aware that he needed to tell her about Brenna. An honest relationship meant honesty on both sides, and he wanted to be forthcoming with it. Especially before things got more serious, and hedidwant them to get more serious.
But the idea of telling Natalie about his ex didn’t thrill him, and he couldn’t seem to find a way to bring it up casually. To be fair, he hadn’t really had a chance to drop that kind of bomb. And the more he thought about it, the less he wanted to ruin a perfectly good date by talking about his ex, but still. He would.
Soon.
He finished marking the last of the papers he’d assigned to his senior students and pushed them to the side of his desk before packing up and leaving the school behind, excited by his newly formed plan.
After a quick stop to Sweetie Pies, Aiden walked into a very quiet fire station. “Hello?” With the bakery box in hand, he walked through the parked trucks to the back staircase that led to the lounge.
“Hey there.” A man jumped up when Aiden approached. “What can I help you with?”
“I’m looking for Natalie.” Aiden looked around the lounge, but aside from a few other guys, he didn’t see Natalie. “Is she around? I thought she was working today.”
“She is,” the man answered. “But she’s actually out on an inspection right now.”
