Yeah. That’s what I thought. I walked around the front of the truck, looking up the road toward Katie’s house. What the hell was I doing? Had I learned nothing?
I got in and started the engine. I’d loved Alice. I’d thought we were going to grow old together, surrounded by our kids and grandkids. I’d thought she felt the same. She’d said as much and I, like a fool, believed her.
No. I was shutting this shit down with Katie. Doing the same thing but expecting a different result was the definition of crazy, wasn’t it? Alice had burned the trust and love right out of me. Hollow people didn’t belong in relationships.
Kate
I woke to the first hints of pink light filtering through the filmy sheers on the windows. Stretching, I felt a twinge of soreness, spurring memories of the night before. Aiden and I couldn’t get enough of each other. As soon as we settled down to sleep, one of us would kiss or stroke the other, playfulness turning quickly to mindless passion, lust turning to something much deeper. I got very little rest, but it was the most profoundly erotic night of my life.
I shifted, cautiously looking over my shoulder for Aiden. He wasn’t there. Chaucer was snoring on the floor by the door, which meant Aiden wasn’t downstairs making coffee either or Chaucer would be with him, trying to mooch food. I spied the nightstand and bureau. No notes. It was early Sunday morning. Where had he gone?
I slid my hand over to the other side of the bed. It was cold. Aiden had left a while ago. Grabbing my phone, I dialed his cell first. When I received no answer, I texted.
Me: Morning! We never discussed terms of endearment. Are you good with Scooter Pie because I’ve always wanted a fella I could call Scooter Pie. Listen, Scooter Pie, you should have told me you needed to work today. I almost feel bad for keeping you up all night. Almost. How about if I bring you muffins this morning? What’s your favorite kind?
When he didn’t get back to me right away, I decided to take a quick shower and then start baking. If he was too busy to respond, he’d get what he got.
An hour later, I packed up a basket of chocolate chip and pecan muffins and headed into town. The little parking lot at the police station was mostly empty, but Aiden’s truck was there. When I walked in, there was a new person at the front desk, an older woman.
“Hi, I’m Kate. I’m here to see Aiden. Is he available?”
She nodded, picking up the phone. “Let me check, dear. You can have a seat if you’d like.”
When she hung up, she said, “I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting.”
“I don’t want to bother him. Could you just give him these?” I placed the basket on her desk. “They’re still warm, so he should eat one soon.” I waved over my shoulder on my way out. “Have a good one.”
I left my car in the lot, wandering down Main Street, window-shopping and feeling very lucky in my new life. I grinned, thinking about Aiden’s butt. He had an amazing butt, and I could totally grab it anytime I felt like it. Mostly. You know, not while he was on duty or anything.
I was considering the possibilities of other girlfriend perks when I realized I was standing in front of Mo’s shop. She had a gorgeous watercolor wraparound dress displayed in the window. I wondered if it would look good on me, if Aiden would like it.
I saw movement inside the darkened store. The silhouette of a woman waved. I waved back, hoping it was Mo and not a thief. That’d be awkward. It occurred to me, as I watched Mo walk toward the door, that I liked Aiden’s family, too, and they liked me. The joy I was feeling turned warm and fuzzy. A real family that loved each other and wanted to spend time together. I missed that so much.
Mo was just opening the door when I heard my name shouted. I turned to find Aiden jogging toward me. He’d said he wanted to be my fella, and he seemed to mean it.
I moved toward him. He stopped, but I kept going, walking into him, hugging him tightly. “Did you run all this way to thank me for the muffins?” I tilted my head back, my chin resting on his chest. “Did you like them?”
He looked aside, gripped my arms and pushed me away. His expression closed off.
“Are you allergic to pecans?” My head began to pound. “Am I not supposed to hug you when you’re on duty? My hands were nowhere near your butt. Honest.”
“I need to talk to you.”
My stomach dropped. “Okay.” I turned. Mo stood in the door, looking as confused as I felt.
“Go away,” he said to his sister.
Mo ducked back in the shop and closed the door.
He dragged his hands through his hair. “I can’t do this.”
“Can’t—which this? Eat muffins? Talk to me while you’re at work? Hug me? What can’t you do?”
He appeared shocked at my words. Shaking his head, he regrouped. “Us. The friends with bennies is a failure, and I’m not boyfriend material. I don’t do love anymore. I can’t; you know that.”
“A failure?” I was a failure. Again. I’d fallen for a man who couldn’t or wouldn’t love me back. Again.
“Yes.”
