I glanced over at the pile of shiny wrappers. “Probably a week.”
He laughed. “That’s my girl.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Aiden
I woke in the gray light of predawn. Katie lay curled up next to me, her hair fanned out on the pillow. Just looking at her made my heart ache. Her hand rested by her cheek, fingers twitching as though reaching for something in a dream. I considered how I was going to wake her up this time. When she let out a soft, barely audible mewling sound, I hardened in reaction, slowly pulling the sheet down to expose a hip in need of kisses.
I couldn’t get enough of her, couldn’t touch enough, couldn’t taste enough. I could do this. I could. For Katie, I could try again. For her, I’d do anything.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand. Before it woke Katie, I grabbed it and glanced at the screen.
Alice.
My stomach dropped. What the hell did she want? I slid out of bed and picked up my clothes in the dark. I couldn’t think about Alice in Katie’s fairy bower.
Balancing on one foot and then the other, I dressed quickly in the hall and then went downstairs and out the front door, stopping on the porch steps. I pulled my phone back out of my pocket and opened the text.
Alice: Aiden, I’ve missed you so much! I think I just got scared. I was so consumed with making you happy, I felt like I was losing myself. I know. That probably sounds dumb, but the closer we got to the wedding, the more distant and alone I felt. I think I just went a little crazy. I’m so sorry! I never stopped loving you. I think about you every day and kick myself for hurting you and running away. Please, I want to come home. Are you still my home?
Blowing out a harsh breath, I shook my head, jogging to the truck. I needed to get out of here to clear my head. I was driving down the road where Katie had stopped in the middle of the night when she first returned—I could almost smell the grape soda—when my phone began to ring. Alice.
If I didn’t answer, she’d just keep calling. Once Alice dug in, she was relentless. I pulled over to the cliff side of the road and tapped the phone screen.
“Aiden?” Her voice was deep and breathy, the way it was early in the morning when she was warm and soft and I’d pull her close.
“Why are you calling me?” I pushed out of the car. I needed the icy wind blowing off the ocean. Unfortunately, it didn’t cool the humiliation coursing through me. I was finally shaking her ghost off, and here she was, back to haunt me.
“You read my text,” she said, sounding hurt. “You know why. I love you and want to come home. I can’t do this without you.”
Watching the sky lighten in the pre-dawn, I asked, “Can’t do what exactly?”
“Any of it. I miss your arms when you hug me, your lips when?—”
“Stop. I’m not an idiot. Did he dump you? Is that what this is?” And I’d thought returning the ring had been a new low.
“Who?” Her voice went up like it always did when she lied. “There’s no one else. I’d never do that to you. I just got scared—a case of cold feet—but I’m better now. I know exactly what I want, and it was what I had with you. Please, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll?—”
“Stop talking.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Do you honestly think this is going to work? You cheated and then ran off with him.” She sputtered but I ignored her and continued. “Do you know how many men pulled me aside after you left to tell me you’d hit on them? Apparently being left at the altar with all the bills for a wedding that never happened wasn’t enough. Nope. I had to hear about how you were always running your hands over other men, leaning too close, but how they respected me too much to act on it.”
“That’s a lie. I’d never do that. You know how much I’ve always loved you. They’re just jealous.” Her voice had taken on the wheedling tone she used when she wanted something.
I laughed, but there was no humor. “Of what? Do you think anyone is jealous of having a lying, cheating partner? Pity. That’s what they felt. Pity for the idiot left holding the bills while you took off with a rich guy.”
“How could you say that to me?” she whined. “Why are you being so mean? I devoted myself to?—”
“Enough,” I shouted. “I’m a fucking cop. You really didn’t think I’d find out who you were cheating with, who you dumped me for? You probably should have done some of your own research, huh? He’s rich, sure, but he also has a wife. Did you think he was going to leave her for you?” I scoffed. “They never do.”
“Aiden—”
“I’m done now,” I said, my head lifted to the wind. “With this conversation. With you. Don’t come back. Bar Harbor is a small town, and everyone knows exactly who you are now.”
She was quiet for a moment, no doubt calling an audible and changing the game plan. “I want my ring! It’s mine and I deserve it for putting up with your pathetic ass for so long. You’re right. I was looking for better,” she sneered. “I didn’t want to tie myself to someone so mid.”
I choked out a laugh that sounded mean even to my own ears. “The ring has been returned. I’m going to block you in a minute, but before I do, know that if you ever try to come at me again, I’ll be suing you for half of all the money I had to lay out to pay for that wedding that never was. You owe me tens of thousands of dollars.”
Click.
