Page 101 of Unmasking Love
"I can't move in with Aiden." I say and shake my head, turning away from Wes and crossing my arms. I know Aiden said I should live with him while my house gets redone but that was like three minutes into dating me. He wasn’t serious. He was being overly generous.
"Why not?"
"Because, it’s too soon. Like, yes we seem to have a pretty good relationship going but he’s still new on the team and we’ve only been together for a few months. I don't want to be a distraction or a hindrance to his success. And I don’t want to force a relationship on him."
"Well, you can always stay with me but I'm going to charge you rent."
"Thanks, pal." I give him a closed lip smile.
"Just ask him," Wes says as he turns to walk back upstairs.
Maybe I will.
Everything about my relationship with Aiden has felt different. The passion, the companionship. And, he does seem genuinely interested in me and my life.
“You’re going to ask him aren’t you?” Wes asks as he zips up his coat.
“Yeah, I think I will. Things are just different with him than they were with other boyfriends.”
“I think it’s because he’s a man.”
“Making him my 'manfriend'?” I laugh.
Wes laughs too and then sobers. “Yeah, you’ve got yourself a Grade A Manfriend.”
***
I'm stirring the sweet chili peanut butter sauce into the quinoa when Aiden walks in. He sets his things down by the door before he wraps me up in a hug from behind. I love the way he sniffs my hair and moves down to kiss the crook of my neck. It's intimate and playful and just, him. My body floods with warmth.
"Hello Harper, this smells amazing."
"Thank you! I'm pretty excited about it."
Aiden pulls a sparkling water out of the fridge and leans against the counter next to me. "So, tell me about your day."
I can't help it, I sigh. "Well, when I went back to my place, I started a load of laundry and fifteen minutes later, a pipe burst in my basement."
"Harper! Are you serious? Why didn't you call me?"
"Because you were doing your strategy stuff, and, that's not the point, Wes came over and helped me move some things out of the way after I got the water turned off." I busy myself adding the peas and cashews to the pan. "And, well, here's the thing. I was wondering if, well, if I could..."
"Out with it Harper." He says and I turn to him. His blue eyes are fixed on me and there is concern in his features.
"Well, what if I started the renovations now. It would give me a head start on the busy construction season." I say instead of asking him if I can move in.
"That sounds like a great idea. You've got the financing all lined up and Sean seemed ready to start whenever."
"Yeah, and I called him today to make sure. He can start as early as Monday."
"That's great!" Aiden cheers. "I'll help you move in tomorrow!"
"What?"
"Well, you can't live there while they gut the place. I figured you'd move in here with me. I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while anyways."
How did I just get out of asking him?
I feel like I got away with murder.
