Page 74 of It's Complicated

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LORI

I’m in bed, eating ice cream straight from the carton, submersed in cats.

In the last hour, I’ve been replaying in my head all the times I thought Aiden was about to kiss me over the years and didn’t.

The night we were walking home from the bus station, I can’t remember where from. Instead of heading straight for our dorms, even if it was November and chilly, Aiden started humming a tune and pulled me to him. We started dancing and messing around with spins and dips, giggling and laughing. Then, all of a sudden, we were slow dancing, and he was holding me close. I could feel his warmth even in the night’s cold and we were holding hands, and he was looking at methatway… until suddenly he wasn’t.

“I should take you home before you catch a cold,” he said, taking a step back and leaving me confused and shivering.

In retrospect, I can practically see the bulb that went off in his head: ALARM! Pact, I can’t kiss her, take her home instead.

Or that night I tried toNotebookhim, feeling sure watching the most romantic movie in history together would shift something in him. We were cozied up on his bed, watching themovie on his laptop, his arm draped over my shoulder. After the kissing-in-the-rain scene, Aiden turned to me, looking all intense. There was no doubt in my mind he was about to kiss me; the look in his eyes, his expression, and the way he nervously swallowed as he kept looking at my lips. Now all that was needed to seal the deal was true love’s first kiss. I waited for him to move as we gazed at each other, the tension mounting. I was sure I was sending all the right kiss-me signals. I even licked my lips at one point. Yet, he never moved. Not a single inch.

Again, the alarm went off and he got off the bed, asking me if I wanted more popcorn.

Or again, that time I was stung on the neck by a bee and Aiden was more than ready to play doctor, bringing me over to his room and applying an ointment to the puncture. Despite the pain, I couldn’t help but shudder a little under the gentle pressure of his fingertips on my skin. As the throb of the sting eventually subdued, I looked up at him and we stared into each other’s eyes, hesitating for only a split second before almost kissing. Suddenly remembering himself, Aiden pulled away and practically ran from the room, leaving a very confused, dismayed, and bee-stung me behind.

On reflex, my hand goes to the spot on my neck as I feel the ghost of the sting—both physical and emotional. The doorbell rings, interrupting the reverie. I jolt on the bed, sitting straight up while the cats flatten their ears—as they should. We’re facing a common enemy.

For a moment I consider pretending I’m not home, but the light in my bedroom is visible from the doorstep, and anyway, what would be the point? Jace and I work together. If not tonight, he’s going to corner me tomorrow at the office—a much less private environment. So we might as well get down to round two of our fight straight away and be done with it.

I throw the blankets off my legs, dislodging the cats, and trudge down the stairs just as the doorbell rings again.

Impatient prick.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I yell as I make my way to the door. I fling it open, ready to attack, but the words die on my lips as I find Aiden on my doorstep instead of Jace.

“Hey,” I croak out, trying to swallow my disappointment.

“Hey you,” he replies, leaning against the doorframe.

I’m chewing on my lower lip and I probably have chocolate on my face. I’m a mess. I’ve been crying, my eyes must be puffy and swollen, and my hair is a rat’s nest.

I’m still so surprised to see him, that I barely have time to take in his clothes. Under the navy coat, he’s still wearing the same olive-green sweater he had on earlier at the office.

But it’s definitely too late for him to have come straight from work. Has he gone to see Jace after we talked? Is he here as some kind of peace ambassador to butter me up on Jace’s behalf?

I narrow my eyes and swing the door wider, almost expecting to see Jace waiting in the shadows, but my street is empty.

“What are you doing here, Aiden?”

I’m still mad at him. Not as mad as I am at Jace, but still… Aiden was a willing participant in the pact, too.

“Can I come in?”

We stare at each other for a few long moments before I decide I don’t care what he’s come to say and step aside, letting him in. If he wants to apologize, he’s welcome to, as long as he keeps the apology personal and doesn’t mention He Who Shall Not Be Named.

“So? To what do I owe the late-night visit?” I prompt.

“I came to forgive you,” Aiden says as he enters my house.

My jaw drops. I close the front door and wheel on him. “Youwant to forgiveme?”

We square off to each other across the hall.

“Yes, Lori. I’m here to forgive you.”

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