Page 46 of The Road to Finding Us

I hear her quick intake of breath at my words, and I can’t help but let my gaze wander down to where her chest rapidly rises and falls. Too scared of her reaction, I slam the door shut. I make sure to take a long, deep, calming breath before opening the driver’s side door. She’s got my mind spinning into overdrive.

I slide into the seat and press the button to start her car. I don’t brave looking over at her, too afraid of what might look back at me. I just handed her a big secret of mine, and part of me hopes that, come morning, she won’t remember that she has it.

She shouldn’t. It’s better for both of us if she doesn’t.

So why does part of me hope that she does?

24

Lily

Present

Oddly enough, the three-hour car ride with Aspen from Ed’s diner to Nashville was surprisingly pleasant. We managed to catch up on each other’s lives with only a few insults thrown in here and there.

Apparently, Aspen has been putting his business degree to good use. Shocking, I know. Back in college, I used to poke fun at him all the time for working toward the typical default degree. But, he now has a job in commercial real estate, and judging by the pictures he showed me of the house he bought that he’s currently having completely gutted and redesigned, he’s doing well for himself. As he explains what exactly he does for a living, I bite my tongue and try not to tell him his job sounds utterly boring.

I have no room to talk; it’s not like my fashion degree is getting put to good use. I work at an upscale boutique in downtown Dallas, selling my soul to hopefully be able to open up my own boutique one day. That day seems very, very far away. If I’m being honest, right now my work life revolves around doing whatever the hell my boss asks me to do.

“It’s just that, she has the most boring style ever,” I tell him during my rant. “I’m all for a neutral look, but I don’t think she’d know what a statement piece was if it hit her in the face.”

Aspen chuckles. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I believe you.” With that, he winks at me—and for some reason, I don’t mind it.

In fact, by the way I can feel the blood rushing to my cheeks, I might actually like it.

Dear God, it’s me, Lily. Don’t let me fall for it. I chant the mantra over and over, trying not to look at his delicious dimple that’s now making an appearance.

He broke your heart, remember? I tell my libido, or whatever the hell is making me look at him right now with a flush to my cheeks.

Not only did he break it, he stomped all over it and moved on ONE day later with someone else. Not bothering to explain himself in the process.

My heart—or lady bits—can gtfo. My brain is taking control. And it says we will not fall for Aspen Bellevue’s antics again. Never, ever, ever again.

I shake my head, trying to free it from any thoughts of Aspen. “Thank you!” I exclaim, tossing my hands out with emphasis. “Every outfit needs something to make it a little less boring. And don’t even get me started on her taste in home décor. I mean, there’s minimalistic, and then there’s trying to compete with Kim and Kanye for the most boring space ever. Have you ever seen their house, Aspen? It’s god awful and Marie thinks it’s tasteful. Ugh!” I groan, pulling at my cheeks in frustration.

“Kim and Kanye live together?” Aspen merges out of the fast lane, letting a semi-truck pass us.

I gasp, my head quickly turning to look at him. My jaw is wide open before I can finally regain control and confirm what I think he just said. “You’re joking, right?” I sit up in my seat.

Surely, he isn’t living that far under a rock.

“Aspen,” I say calmly, internally freaking out at his lack of pop culture. “Kim and Kanye have been together since two thousand twelve. They have like four kids together, all with weird ass names. How do you not know this?” I flick him on his bicep, still in shock he didn’t know the full extent of Kimye’s existence.

“Ow,” he starts, taking one hand off the wheel to rub the spot I just flicked. “I’m sorry for working my big boy job and not paying attention to reality TV stars.”

His phone’s GPS says something about our next turn, but I barely register it.

“I just thought you’d be super into Kim Kardashian, with your type and womanizer tendencies and all,” I mumble, chewing on my bottom lip as soon as the words leave my mouth.

Aspen looks over at me, a taunting smirk on his lips.

Yep, I was just busted fishing for information on his dating life. Freaking sue me.

“We’ve been out of college for years, Lily. You don’t know any of my tendencies anymore. Plus, there’s this girl I’m very much into. I might tell her how I feel one day.” He steers Gladys off the highway and onto an off-ramp while I analyze every one of his last words.

A girl?

Who?!

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