Page 39 of Beautifully Complicated

He’s quiet for a minute as he absorbs my words. “Thank you for trusting me,” he whispers.

I don’t know how to respond to that without saying something I shouldn’t, something that will only draw attention to the depth of the feelings I have to keep buried for my sanity and his. So, I merely nod and go back to my workstation.

***

“Remind me never to say yes when it’s Grace’s turn to pick the location,” I tell Daniel with a heavy sigh. “My ears are going to ring for days.”

“It’s not that bad,” my colleague replies. “Some of these people are really good.”

“Yeah, but for every one of them who can sing there are at least four that are tone deaf.” I shake my head as the next amateur takes the stage and belts out an off-key rendition of Party in the USA.

Karaoke has never been my thing, and now I’m reminded why.

“They ought to have a screening process,” I remark. “Or pass out earplugs at the door.”

“Someone’s in a mood.” Daniel hands me a shot off the table in front of us. “Maybe this will help.”

I’m not much of a drinker, but I do need to get out of my head, so I toss the shot back and wait for the liquor to work its magic while he rambles about some TV show he’s started binging.

I try to pay attention, I really do, but my heart just isn’t in it. As usual, Daniel seems to notice.

“Still stumped by your algorithm?” he asks, assuming that’s what’s got me out of sorts. I can’t blame him since that’s the explanation I give him each time he pops his head in to see what I’m up to, which happens almost daily.

Though I’ve been here over a month, I’m still not entirely sure if that’s a friendly colleague thing or a hint that he wants something more. In case it’s the latter I should probably figure that out, and discourage it, I just haven’t had the time or desire to think about him at all. My mind is too full of all things Aiden.

The way he looked at me earlier, when he learned he was helping me find solutions for my dad… It stole my breath. I could see it in his eyes, in the way his lips parted on a gasp. He was flattered. Honored. Like my faith in him was the greatest gift he could receive.

I damn near pulled him into my arms right then and there. I’ve never had to fight my body so hard. I’m still tense over it, hours later.

“It’s still giving me trouble, yes.” I perpetuate that little white lie about the algorithm.

“Haven’t you ever heard that solutions come when you’renotlooking for them?” Daniel arches a knowing brow. “Get your mind off it and you’ll probably have a breakthrough. What song are you going to sing?”

“I’m not singing.”

“Oh, come on. You can’t be any worse than he is.” He tilts his head toward the stage, where a man is butchering Saturday Sun.

“I’ll still pass.”

“Ugh, fine. But at least put work away for tonight.” Daniel bumps my shoulder with his, trying to get me to loosen up.

“I’ll try.”

Sipping on my beer, I try to enjoy watching my colleges goof off, clapping when they take the stage and toasting them when they come off. For about twenty minutes I’m blissfully Aiden free. And then a group comes in, six men paired off like couples, with Aiden bringing up the rear.

My stomach plummets when I see his face, the forced smile a dead giveaway he’s uncomfortable. Feeling like a third wheel no doubt. Then one of the men leans toward him, speaking into his ear with obvious familiarity. I’d bristle at that if it weren’t for the fact the man has his fingers entwined with someone else, so I conclude the gesture is to be heard over the music, nothing more.

Then the man straightens, and I get a good look at him. He’s…me. A little taller, a little bulkier, but…me. And a brief glance at Aiden’s stiff grin confirms what my gut already knows. That’s Bennet, the roommate he thought he was in love with, until I came along.

Feelings aren’t misinterpreted my ass.

Chapter twelve

Aiden

“Want the usual?” Bennet leans next to my ear so I can hear him over the music.

It’s not overly loud, but you either have to raise your voice or lean close to have a conversation in the dimly lit room punctuated with dark wood tables and an equally dark bar. I’d probably like it at a lower volume.

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