Page 13 of Pulled Away

Indicating, I turn into Main Street and look for a parking spot while mulling over her words. I don’t think I’ve ever had a type. I’ve had things I’ve looked for in a girl, but I’ve never been one to target specific things, like only going for blonds or brunettes. It’s the complete picture that does it for me, and Aspen is that. The complete picture. The woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

Once I’ve parked, I turn to Hadley. “So what ‘type’ do you picture me with?”

“I don’t know.” She bites her lip. “You’ve always been so career-driven. I guess I thought you’d go for someone the same.”

My brow creases. “Aspen is driven.”

She slants me a look I can’t decipher. “She wants to run an animal rescue, Ryan. It’s not exactly a high-powered job.”

“So you’re saying just because she won’t have a high-powered career, she’s not driven and she’s not right for me?”

“No. I’m saying that those things are money pits. She’ll never be able to make a decent living out of it.”

“There are different ways to be driven, Hadley, and not everything is about money.” I clamp my lips against adding that surely she, of all people, should know that. That would be cruel for me to say. “Besides, I make more than enough for the both of us.”

She sighs in frustration, but I’m right there with her. I don’t appreciate her boiling my relationship down to money, or a lack thereof. It feels insulting. Not only to me but to Aspen as well. Aspen’s soft heart and the empathy she feels toward animals in need are only one of the things I love about her. Extend that soft heart toward the children we’ll have one day, and she’ll be the best mother any child could ask for.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean? Because from where I’m sitting, it sounds like you’re looking down on Aspen.”

“Okay, here’s the thing. I like Aspen and I admire her for what she’s doing. I know I don’t know her that well, but I want to get to know her better because she looks like an amazing woman, and I’m hoping we can become friends. But I care about you, Ryan. We’ve been through so much together and you’re my best friend. Surely you should know by now that anything that hurts you hurts me. So, as misguided as this might be, this is just me looking out for you. Making sure this is what you want. That’s all. I’m sorry if I offended you in any way. That was not my intention.”

The silence in the car stretches as I study her, but her face is an open book, her sincerity shining from her eyes.

“Thank you. I appreciate it, but you can stop worrying about me. Aspen is everything I want and more.”

“Good. Then I’m glad. My only concern is for your happiness.”

I turn to open my door because I don’t have time to run around shopping. I have to get back home. My workload is insane, and I want to be done by the time Aspen gets home.

“Before we go in, can I ask you something? And I want you to be honest with me.”

I turn back to her. “I’m always honest with you.”

“Have you told Aspen anything about my relationship with my parents?”

I shake my head. “It hasn’t come up.”

She nods in relief. “Please, can you not say anything?”

“I know you don’t like talking about it, but you don’t have to worry about Aspen. She has a heart for miles.”

“And that’s exactly why. When people find out how little my parents loved me, they look at me differently. I can see it in their eyes. They either wonder what I had done—”

“Aspen would never think that.”

She smiles slightly. “I’m sure she won’t. But I also don’t want sympathy, and I definitely don’t want her to feel sorry for me. I’m more than that. That’s what I like about living in London. Getting to know people where I’m free from my past. I want that with her. For her to like me, for me.”

I’m slow to nod because she couldn’t be more wrong. Aspen wouldn’t allow something like that to cloud her perception, but trying to convince Hadley of that would be like beating my head against a rock. She doesn’t know Aspen like I do, so I guess I can’t blame her for not taking my word for it. Only time will show her.

“Bailey’s store is around the corner. I don’t mind making a quick detour. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

“Not today. I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll give her a call tonight.”

Chapter six

Aspen

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