Now here I am, grinning like an idiot, watching her laugh with her friends, throwing her head back with a beautiful smile that makes my heart squeeze. I love seeing her happy. I love being the reason for her happiness.
It took us forever to get here, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
“You’re welcome, by the way,” Aiden says, draping his arm around Leila’s shoulders as she joins us, sliding beside him.
“For what?” I ask.
He lifts his head, gesturing toward Gabi. “For that.”
“What are you talking about?” Grayson interrupts, his brows furrowing in confusion.
“I’m the reason they got together,” Aiden says with a shrug.
“You did absolutely nothing,” Grayson scoffs, shaking his head.
Aiden’s brows pull together. “That’s not true,” he argues. “If it wasn’t for me—”
“They still would have ended up together,” Leila interrupts, rolling her eyes. “They were always meant to be. You didn’t change that.”
I chuckle at Aiden’s frown. Gabi and I have been a long time coming. It was a game of truth or dare and years of tension between us that finally brought us together. But seeing Aiden’s expression, I feel a twinge of guilt, so I nod anyway. “Thanks,” I tell him.
His lips quirk. “Thank god someone appreciates me like I deserve.”
“And I don’t?” Leila chimes in, teasing her boyfriend.
He smiles instantly. “No, you do,” he confirms. “It would just be nice to hear someone appreciates me for my matchmaking skills.”
“Matchmaking skills?” Grayson asks with a snort.
“Want me to remind you how you got Rosie again?” Aiden says, arching his brow.
Grayson’s smile slips, and he lifts his hand, flipping Aiden off.
I chuckle, watching their interactions. I’ll have to ask Gabi what happened between Grayson and Rosie.
I remember feeling nervous when I first met Gabi’s friends. Meeting new people has never been my strong suit. I’ve always preferred to sit back and just listen.
But these guys… They’ve become more than just Gabi’s friends. They’re my friends now, too.
“I do so much for this group,” Aiden sighs dramatically. “And no one recognizes it.”
“Your head’s too big anyway,” Leila teases back.
Aiden’s hand curls around Leila’s waist as he grins up at her. But Leila looks past him, making Aiden turn his head, and his smile fades when he sees a girl standing nearby.
“Hey,” she says with a flirty smile, biting her bottom lip.
Aiden swallows, his brow furrowing. “Um, hi?”
She moves closer, trailing a hand along his arm. “You’re Aiden Pierce, right?”
Leila’s eyebrows shoot up, and she glances at us in disbelief. “Is she… Is she serious?” she asks, her jaw dropping.
“Yeah,” Aiden replies, tightening his hold on Leila’s waist.
“Hmm…” The girl smiles, running her hand along his arm. “You know, I’ve watched your games, and—”
“Excuse me,” Leila interrupts sharply, narrowing her eyes at the girl. The girl finally shifts her gaze to Leila standing beside Aiden. “Do you not see me right here, with his hand on my waist?” Leila asks, arching a brow.
