Page 48 of Winning the Nightcap

“He still calls you,” Aiden says, sitting up straighter in his seat with a look of hesitation and confusion on his face.

“We’re not together, and I stopped answering his calls, but yes. They weren’t really two-sided conversations anyway, so there’s no point in answering anyway,” I admit. “I actually blocked his number this morning. It was overdue.”

“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Bec.”

“He calls late, usually while he’s drunk, and rambles on about all the reasons we should get back together, or he rehashes all the reasons he broke up with me.” All the reasons I wasn’t good enough. “It dependson his mood, I guess. Sorry…this is really embarrassing. I have zero interest in getting back together with him, but the whole thing has kind of done a number on my confidence.”

“Holy fuck, what a tool. Seriously. That’s a dick move, and you don’t deserve that. He’s the one that should be embarrassed.”

“You sound like the girls,” I say before taking another sip of my hot chocolate. Not that I need the heat. My face is on fire from the humiliation of having to explain this all to Aiden.

“Hey,” he uses two fingers and his thumb on my chin to gently turn my face toward him and for a moment, he just holds my jaw there, a look of concentration on his face. “I can’t possibly imagine what kind of shitty, idiotic things that guy made up in his mind as reasons to not be with you, but I don’t want you to believe any of them. I’m sure none of that was easy to hear, and clearly the guy never learned how to break up with someone without being a total dick. I’m not going to lie and say I wish he was a better man and that it worked out for you with him, because I selfishly want this chance with you, but not at the expense of your self-esteem.”

“Not to sound like the bitter ex-girlfriend, but I’m glad it didn’t work out with him either. Even without all the mess after our breakup, we weren’t a good fit. Besides, if we never broke up, I never would have gone on this date and found out about this place.” I give him a side eye.

“And the company, right?”

“Hm…no complaints yet. But you’ll have to do a lot to one-up this brownie.”

He laughs, carefree, and he leans back to take a bite of his own dessert. “Brutal, Bec.”

“It’s a damn good brownie.”

“Admit it. It’s a damn good date too.”

“It’s a damn good date, Aiden.”

“I like to exceed expectations. You ready for our last stop?”

“This isn’t the last stop?”

“Saved the best for last. Let’s go, beautiful.”

Chapter Thirty

Aiden

“Someone’s confident. Bringing me to a hotel on the first date? Hoooooly shit…” Realization dawns on her as I grab Bec’s hand in mine and pull her through the lobby toward the bar where we first met.

“I was feeling nostalgic,” I say with a wink.

“Should we go straight upstairs and find that ice machine again?” Bec asks with a flirty smile playing at her perfect lips.

“I was thinking of a nightcap, but I like your idea better.” She laughs and playfully slaps my chest when I start backing her toward the elevator.

“All right, back it up, caveman. That’s on me. Let’s go get that drink.”

We get drinks from the bar before settling into a booth. Bec gives a thoughtful look around the place, taking in the surroundings, no doubt remembering the last time we were here together years ago. I honestly couldn’t tell you shit about what looks the same or different. I barely noticed anything about the space the last time I was here, and I don’t care about it now either. The woman across from me has my full attention, and I don’t see that changing regardless of where weare.

“I don’t know how you did it,” I say.

“Did what?” Bec asks.

“How you kept a straight face when I explained to you why I thought you were a dog person. I didn’t realize how spot on that guess was when I made it.”

Bec laughs, throwing her head back. God, this girl shines. I can’t take my eyes off her.

“You remembered.” She rests her chin in her hand, leaning on the table, her nearness allowing me to see the dimension of color in her bright eyes as they flicker between my own. The elated look on her face wakes up pieces of my soul I never knew existed.

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