Page 54 of Finding Happily Ever After
Something flickered on Jeremy’s face, but his friendly grin didn’t falter. “And are you thinking of dating again?” Aiden didn’t miss the edge to his words. “With everything you have going on with Amelia and getting settled in a new town and all?”
“I think I can manage it all.” Nick’s smile was friendly. If he noticed a change in Jeremy, he wasn’t showing it. “In fact, I’m considering new investments I can get involved with. Maybe a business.” His eyes moved down the street to the Knot, which was still Aiden’s destination.
A cold beer was sounding more and more like a plan.
“You’re going to buy the Knot? A bar?” Jeremy’s mouth fell open. “Is that really the best—”
Nick laughed. “No. I’m not going to buy a bar. That’s crazy. But I was thinking a cold beer on the patio might be a nice treat this afternoon.” He looked at the men. “Anyone interested?”
“It’s like you read my mind.”
But Jeremy shook his head. “Another time. I need to get these back to the station.”
He moved to leave but before he got too far, Nick asked another question. “How’s your sister? Is she…I mean…”
Jeremy froze and turned around slowly. This time there was no mistaking the caution in the fire chief’s eyes. “She’s as good as can be expected,” he said. “It’s going to take time for her to be one hundred percent, you know?”
Nick nodded while Aiden looked between the two of them. He’d heard rumors of Charlotte, Jeremy’s sister, fleeing a controlling relationship out East before coming back home to Glacier Falls, but he didn’t know much more than that.
“Of course,” Nick said. “I get it. Tell her I said hi, okay?”
Jeremy swallowed hard, but nodded. “Have a good day, guys.”
Aiden doubted very much that he could, but he returned the sentiment before walking the short distance toward the Knot with Nick. But when they got to the pub, Aiden froze. His eyes went directly to the sunny patio, where a few patrons had already claimed tables. Among them was Natalie.
A million feelings, none of which Aiden wanted to deal with in public in front of everyone, flooded his senses. Instinctively, he took a step backward.
“You know what?” He shook his head and backed away. “I don’t think a beer is a good idea.”
Confusion lined Nick’s face as he examined Aiden. But when his gaze followed to where Aiden’s eyes were locked, on Natalie, who’d also seen him and was staring back with a matching look on her face, his expression morphed into one of understanding. “I see.”
“You don’t.”
“I do.”
Aiden turned to him, only reluctantly taking his eyes off Natalie, who was watching him. He’d seen hurt in her eyes, too. And the way that simple look sent sensations through his body threatened to overwhelm him. If he didn’t get control, Aiden was afraid he might do something he’d regret. Or maybe he should just let those feelings take over and see what happened. Anything was better than this hell he was currently in.
“You have no idea—”
“Look, man. We just met, so I’m not going to pretend to know you or what’s going on here. But I’m not stupid and I’m definitely not blind, and neither is anyone else here. It’s a small town and I may still be new, but I know enough to know that in Glacier Falls, your business iseveryone’sbusiness. That woman in there.” He gestured with his shoulder. “Is feeling whatever it is you’re feeling. I’m not going to ask what happened. It’s none of my business. And I’m not going to pretend that I know what it’s like to be in love like that, because I don’t. But I’ve seen it happen more than once, and I’ve also seen perfectly intelligent men and women almost throw it all away because they can’t get over some stupid bullshit thing. Story as old as time.” He crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows to make his point.
It was made.
Sure, Nick had oversimplified it, and he didn’t know a thing about Aiden or his past with women who lied to him and used him, and how he felt about complete honesty in a relationship and moreover…howhe’dscrewed up, too. Still…he had a point.
Aiden took a breath and turned to look once again at Natalie. She was gorgeous. The way the sun hit her face lit her up. But it also clearly showed him her eyes. The hurt and hope reflected there hit him in the gut and made him almost physically ill.
He loved her.
It hit him like a physical blow.He loved her.And that’s why it hurt so damn much. He hadn’t felt this way about anyone before. Not even Brenna when he married her.
And that’s what stopped him.
He’d loved before. Not nearly as hard as he was loving now, and that had ended badly.Sobadly. He’d only just barely recovered. And what he felt for Natalie wassomuch stronger. But Natalie had lied, too. She’d kept things from him…but so had he…why? They’d both screwed up. So why did he react the way he had? Why had he flown off the handle like that? He was better than that. They could have talked it through, and started fresh, with everything out in the open, but he’d been so quick to shut down.
Why?
He knew the answer.
