Page 113 of His to Cherish

Chapter 23

Aidan and I spent the entire day together, lounging around his house, and eating only when necessary. We spent enough hours between his sheets and in various other places in his house making love, that my mind was a pool of mush and my legs were still shaky by the time we made it back to the carnival for Sunday night’s music and fireworks.

We were looking for Paige and Suzanne and their husbands as well as Tyson and Blue. Declan and Trina were working at Fireside Grill, this weekend being one of their busiest times due to the influx of people in town.

“You’re late,” Paige scolded when we finally found them amid the crowd inside the beer tent.

I opened my mouth to apologize when she smiled.

“Based on the blush on your cheeks I assume you have a good reason.”

Next to me, Aidan laughed. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

“It’s his fault,” I declared, pointing to Aidan.

He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Actually, I think that last time was your fault.”

I flashed him a scolding look, but he shrugged unashamedly and took a pull from his beer.

Next to him, Tyson slapped him on the back and Blue covered her mouth, hiding her giggle.

Paige grinned.

“Right,” Paige said, and easily snuggled into Lucas’s embrace as he reached us with two bottles of beer. “Thanks, babe. Lucas, this is Aidan; Aidan this is my husband, Lucas.”

The two men shook hands and gave each other a manly nod of hello. I assumed by the way Lucas took Aidan in he was also silently appraising the man, and when he smiled at me, giving me another nod, I took it as approval.

Who knew—men had the oddest silent conversations.

“Camden’s on her way, but Suzanne just sent me a text that said they’re not able to make it. Said something about not feeling well.”

“Is she okay?” I frowned.

Paige shrugged. “I assume so, I think she’s really tired.”

A small twinge of that old pain hit my chest. I was happy for Suzanne, I truly was. But baby talk always caused me to mourn and remember that would never be me.

Based on the way Aidan’s hand on my waist twitched, he understood what my sudden silence was for.

Then she turned to Aidan. “Is David coming tonight?”

I groaned inwardly. Ever since the night she and I met at Fireside, and then the last time we got together, she and Suzanne were in a rush to get him together with Camden. Although I still didn’t see how it was a possibility.

“Nah, Fireside is always busy this weekend and Declan needed him to help out.”

“Help?” I asked, tilting my head. “Doesn’t he work there?”

Tyson snorted and lifted his beer to his lips to hide the strange sound. “Nah. More like hiding. Or running. Asshole needs to get his ass back to work.”

“What?” I asked, jerking my head back.

Before I could ask any more questions—because, howstrange—Aidan’s lips were at my ear. “I’ll tell you about it later, but it’s really not for public knowledge.”

I forced a nonchalance I didn’t feel. “Not my business, anyway.”

It was a lie, my curiosity was like a runaway train. I always assumed David was just staying to be there for Aidan, but he had also mentioned helping out Declan. Plus, with the strange look Trina gave Camden the last time we were all together, it meant there were secrets being kept. My mind began spinning, my overactive imagination kicking into high gear. It wouldn’t be the first time a new friend of mine was suddenly engaged in something absurd like drug cartels and backroom deals and abusive husbands and mysterious pasts. Our lives had been crazy wild from the moment we’d met Blue.

“You’re thinking really hard,” Aidan said. “It’s not that big of a deal.”

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