Page 115 of The Forever Rule

“Ford won’t be there, just because he has a job offsite that’s overnight, but the rest of us will be.” He paused. “It isn’t one of the required ones, and we’re just used to doing dinners this way. At least just to catch up with each other.”

“I think it’s quite nice that you still have your traditions with the siblings you grew up with, and you’re finding your path with your new ones. It’s okay that not everybody is in one room at the same time,” my mom said, her words kind.

Aston nodded, but I wasn’t sure what he was thinking.

“But really, you should come to dinner. See how annoying we all are in a big group.”

“I think I could handle that,” I said, smiling at him.

Before he could say anything, his phone buzzed, and he winced.

“I’m sorry, that’s the emergency vibration tone.”

He pulled his phone out of his pocket, cursed under his breath, and apologized again before leaving the dining room.

I frowned after him, wondering what was wrong, and not just with whoever was on the other line.

“So you get to meet the family too,” Mom stated, her voice low.

I turned to my parents and nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I’ve met them before, but I guess this will be different.”

“Just like he’s here. I’m happy for you, baby.”

The smile on my face was true, and yet, that distance felt off.

Before I could dive deeper into my odd feelings, Aston came forward, a grave expression on his face.

“Are you okay? Is it your family?” I asked standing up.

“I have to head out. I’m sorry,” he said, looking over my shoulder at my parents. “An emergency with a client. But I’ll call you later?” he asked.

I nodded, and he reached out, squeezing my shoulder. He didn’t kiss me, didn’t say anything but a murmured goodbye. He didn’t lean down and kiss me, not even a brush of lips against my forehead. It was so different, it nearly felt cold. But maybe it was just because my parents were here.

“Crap, I drove us here,” he mumbled.

“We can get her home. Go help who you need to,” my mom said, her voice soft.

“We’ve got our girl, don’t worry.”

Aston smiled at all of us then, the brittleness of it setting me on edge, and then he was gone, leaving me without a true goodbye.

“I hope whoever was on the other line is okay,” Mom said softly.

“I hope so too, but Aston can handle it. He can handle anything.” And then I took my seat again, but I was no longer hungry.

My parents continued their conversation, and I answered back at the appropriate times, but my heart wasn’t in it. I knew Aston’s time wasn’t his own. I knew he ran a very successful and demanding business. But something felt off tonight.

And after my parents dropped me off, and I got ready for bed, I held the phone in my hand, waiting for it to ring. Waiting for a text.

But the call never came.

Once again.

Chapter Eighteen

ASTON

Rule #1: There is no such thing as forever.

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