Page 74 of Troubles

“Hey. Did ye have a good flight?”

His gaze bounces from my face to the ceiling, the wall behind me, finally landing on mine.

Pressing my lips together, I nod and lean in to grab my bag.

Aidan stoops, grabbing it before I can get to it, settling it on his shoulder.

All I want is to step into him, his arms wrapped around me—enveloped in him. Instead, I follow silently out to a small blue SUV.

We stand staring at each other over the top of the car, neither of us saying a word.

Things have changed. Every single time we’ve gone out together, Aidan has always—always—opened my door for me. Until now. I blink back the tears threatening to fall; I shouldn’t have come.

“Think you’re up to drivin’ after your flight?” His voice is soft and a little hesitant. Maybe I’m not the only one feeling off balance right now.

“What? No, I…”

Of course. I’m on the wrong side of the car. My lip between my teeth, I walk around to where Aidan has the door open for me and climb in. I watch him stride around the car, appreciating the way he moves, missing everything about him.

“I brought you a coffee.” He nods at the cup holder as the aroma makes its way through my foggy brain. “You probably want to nap, but it really is best to just try and get on the local time.” Hotels and long-term parking fly by as I sip. It’s perfect—of course it is.

“Thank you. This is great.” I don’t know what to say, the awkwardness is creeping in. I should have planned this better, I’m here for three days and I didn’t think to get a hotel room. Never considered how this would go beyond getting on a plane and seeing Aidan. Talking to him.

I lean my head against the window as we wind through the city, eventually pulling onto a tree-lined street more than an hour after leaving the terminal. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you lived so far from the airport. I could’ve taken a cab or something.”

With my bag in his hand, Aidan guides me through a bright red front door and whispers, “I just wanted to have a quiet moment with you before the pandemonium.”

I almost miss his words as he tucks my bag inside the door and a toddler comes tearing around the corner, hands in the air squealing. Aidan scoops him up and tosses him in the air, blowing raspberries into his tummy.

“Jaysus wept, was yer flight delayed getting in? What took ye so long? Come in, love, come in. Och, Aidan, don’t wind ’im up like that. We’ve got ’im all day.”

Aidan’s mom swoops in and wraps me in a warm strong hug. “I’m so glad to meet you, love. Come in and have a seat. Can I get ye something to eat? Did Aidan show ye through the city in the morning traffic, then?”

She’s a flurry of efficiency, taking my jacket, setting my purse on the table by the door.

I try to keep up with her, I do. But I miss half of what she says, unable to focus.

“Um, I-I’m fine, thank you. Mrs. Kearney.”

Swaying slightly, I reach for the closest solid surface to steady myself, and find my hand on Aidan’s arm.

She smiles as she takes me in. Is it significant that I reach for Aidan when I’m unsteady?

“Love, it’s Ann. Come on, then.” She’s lovely, of course she is.

“D’ye need a moment? To freshen up after your flight?” My breath catches in my chest at Aidan knowing I need to catch my breath.

I turn to him and nod, grateful for him.

“I’ll show you up. Henry, go with Granny for a treat, yeah?”

He sets the sweet boy down and grabs my bag, leading me upstairs to a bright sunny bedroom at the back of the house. The pale creamy walls are covered with pictures of Aidan and his siblings. And as much as I want to fall into the soft ivory bedding, I step closer to one of the more recent photos, studying the faces.

“Are you a twin?” I glance over my shoulder knowing that Aidan is still with me.

He’s leaning against the doorjamb, arms folded across his chest, looking past me to the framed photograph.

“That’s Michael. He was fifteen months older than me.”

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