Page 30 of Winning the Nightcap

I nod, unable to find my voice. He steps back, walks over to Hop to scratch his ear, kisses the top of his head, and makes his way back tome. He reaches out and tucks a curl back behind my ear. “I’ll see you soon, Bec.” I catch a hint of a smile as he turns and walks out of my apartment.

What the fuck just happened?

When we met, it was never meant to be anything serious. Just a night of fun.

But if we got together now…a part of me knows it could be explosive between us. Moments like this remind me of the potential chemistry. We’re simmering, at risk of boiling over if we allow the heat to turn a bit higher.

I sigh, knowing not even Hopper’s company is going to keep my mind from mulling this over the entire time Aiden is gone. But for now, I need to double-check that all my shoes are out of reach. Aiden wasn’t kidding. Hop is in hisfuck around and find outstage.

Aiden’s asking me to think about what I want. It’s been hard not to since he crashed back into my life two months ago. In my gut, I know that I want him, but my head is screaming, demanding that I let him go. I never felt this way with Josh. If that breakup hurt, what would a breakup with Aiden do to me?

Despite the risk, maybe trying something a little bit more with Aiden wouldn’t be a horrible idea. It doesn’t have to be anything serious. Friends with benefits maybe. Or a casual date here and there, just to test the waters. That way, if it doesn’t work out, it’d be easy to default back to being just friends.

Maybe we need to fuck around, too, consequences be damned. I think I want to finish what we started, to see where it leads, but does he? Will Aiden expect more from me, or is what I have to offer enough? Is it enough for anyone?

Chapter Twenty

Aiden

The Wedding

Bec is avoiding me. She couldn’t make it any more obvious. We need to have a conversation about last night. We happen to have mutual friends. It doesn’t change a thing for me, but Bec’s skittish behavior tells me it’s messing with her head. She’s dancing around me like a magnet, opposing me at every turn, using my movements to drive her own further away in the opposite direction.

“You gonna make a move in this lifetime, or are you just going to keep staring at her?” An unfamiliar voice rings out from my left. One of the bridesmaids I met earlier, Dee, leans against the bar with a shit-eating grin on her face and a beer in hand. “You could try to be a little less obvious. Bec scares easily. Don’t get clingy too fast, baseball boy.”

“Your friend has a knack for evading me completely. I don’t think I could make a move if I wanted to.” Which I fucking do. I’m not in the habit of showing my hand to someone who’s basically a stranger to me. But hey, Dee’s close with Bec, and if she’s willing to give me advice, I’ll gladly take it.

“I may not know you well, but if Dom trusts you, then I’m willing to goto bat for you too. See? See what I did there?” Dee asks.

I laugh. Dee might be even more ridiculous than Bec.

“But if you tell her I talked to you, I’ll deny the entire thing. I swore not to intervene,” she says.

“Ah, so she told you,” I say.

“I’m the only one she’s told. I had to practically drag it out of her. But with you leaving evidence on her neck like a fucking teenager, it was hard to ignore. And I’mverypersistent.”

“You sure as fuck are.” Dylan approaches and puts an arm around Dee’s shoulders. “Same as me. Can I get you another drink, Dee?”

“I can get my own drink, Dylan. Go crawl into whatever hole you snuck out of.” She pushes him back, and he withdraws with a chuckle, leaning behind her to order another beer from the bartender. “Good luck, Aiden.” Dee strides off before I can ask her for more insight on the woman that’s held my attention all night.

Dylan claps me on the shoulder. “So Bec told Dee…I’d say that’s a good sign. If she wanted to hide you like a dirty little secret, she wouldn’t have told any of the girls. They’re tight. If Dee’s on your side, that’ll only work in your favor.” I told Dylan about how I met Bec last night, not wanting to bother Dom during his own wedding with my single-life bullshit, but I’m starting to regret telling anyone at all.

“Doesn’t seem like it’ll do me much good if she’s running away from me all night,” I grumble in response.

“You heard the boss. Dee told you to back off. Sounds like you should stop chasing her. Let her come to you. You’re gonna freak her out, man. Give her a second to breathe.”

“Yeah, I can do that. I’m gonna get some fresh air outside, you coming?” I ask.

Shaking his head, he says, “Nah, I’m going to go talk to that blonde that just walked in. Unlike you, I haven’t found anyone to keep me busy this weekend. Time to work some magic.” Dylan straightens his shoulders,runs his hand through his hair, and strides away.

I make my way outside to clear my head, finding a secluded spot behind a lattice wall. I get comfortable on the L-shaped couch, placing my drink on the table in front of me, which has a low-burning fire pit in the center. The string lights hanging above give off a soft glow. Normally, I’d enjoy the privacy this moment affords me. I’d soak in the peaceful seclusion, knowing that I rarely get time to relax by myself like this during the season. Instead, all I can think about is Bec and what Dee’s brief words really mean.

I’m not usually a clingy guy. In past relationships, I typically get complaints that I’m too distant, maybe a little too rigid, if anything. So why can’t I leave Bec alone after knowing her for only a day? Less than a day. Talk about an inconvenient time to act out of character. When she needs someone more aloof, I’m basically falling over myself to get a chance to talk to her.

Leaning forward to rest my elbows on my thighs, I rub my hands over my face, trying to force some sense into my brain, when I hear a small intake of breath. I look up to see Bec standing at the edge of the nook, eyes locked on me.

“Hey,” I say softly.

---