Page 59 of Skylar

“Tell that to Kayleigh.”

Aiden felt himself relax with the familiar banter of the Halverson family. Charli and Blake weren’t there, but Layla and Amelia had come together, and there was some talk about Layla having gotten a new-to-her car.

By the time Skylar arrived with her parents, he felt at ease enough to have held a couple of conversations with different people. When Skylar walked out onto the deck on her crutches, her gaze met his. However, she didn’t move in his direction.

Shifting from one foot to the other, Aiden felt a bit of doubt that they’d ever be able to build a friendship. One where they’d be able to chat comfortably and be at ease in each other’s presence, especially when they were also with Shiloh.

The awkwardness currently between them was almost bad enough to make him want to leave. Not because of how it made him feel, but because it undoubtedly made her feel stressed and unhappy to be around him.

He was so desperate to find a way to be part of his birth daughter’s life that he wasn’t giving as much consideration to Skylar’s feelings as perhaps he should.

He also wanted to be on good terms with the Halverson family at large. Like it or not, their lives were all now intertwined beyond more than just his friendship with Cole.

“How’s the ankle, Sky?” Wilder asked as she approached him and Aiden.

“Getting better every day,” she said.

“Does that mean you can go back to work soon?”

Skylar frowned. “Nope. I still can’t wear anything but a supportive runner, and that doesn’t cut it for my uniform for work.”

“No exceptions?” When Skylar shook her head, Wilder turned to Hudson. “Is that normal for those flights you rich dudes take?”

Hudson shrugged. “It wouldn’t be an issue with the attendants on our planes. At least not anymore. Alexander has made things a little less formal over the years unless we have someone we really need to impress on board. Then we’re all dressed a little more formally.”

“We have a pretty strict dress code,” Skylar said. “Since we deal with people who rent our planes, we have to give them the experience they pay for.”

“So you’ll just hang around here for the time being?” Wilder asked.

“Perhaps. I haven’t decided yet.”

“Is there areasonyou have to be back in Vegas?”

“A reason besides my job?”

“Yeah. You know…” Wilder shrugged. “Like a boyfriend?”

Skylar’s eyes narrowed at her brother. “I’m not sure I’d tell you if I had one or not.”

“So, in other words, no.” Wilder turned to Aiden. “How about you?”

“How about me what?”

Wilder crossed his arms. “You got a girlfriend?”

“Nope.” He could have been vague like Skylar, but why? It didn’t make sense to avoid answering the question.

“Why not? Something wrong with you?”

“Not according to my mom.”

Wilder laughed. “Gotta love moms. So if you’re perfect—according to Mom McIntyre—what’s the problem?”

“You are aware of how my life has gone over the past few years, right?”

Wilder’s expression sobered. “Yeah. Sorry about your dad and sister, bro.”

“Thanks. Unfortunately, dealing with their passings and trying to help Mom and Willow have filled my hours.”

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