Page 85 of Almost True
“You get that she’s back for you, right?”
I jolted and shook my head. “We don’t know that. I don’t know that. Plus, you were the one who tried to convince me not to even see her.”
He made a scoffing sound. “If I hadn’t been there, I might see how you can feel unsure. She did a number on you without even trying, and this could be the world’s biggest game play of all time. But it’s not.”
I studied him. No longer uptight or defensive like he had been on the way there, his posture was relaxed and he seemed certain. A sigh escaped me and I scrubbed my hands over my face.
“You have no idea how much I want that to be true,” I admitted.
He chuckled. “Yeah. Pretty sure Idoknow. And I’m telling you. The way she was looking at you—during the announcement, even before. And after, at the door… woman’s got herself a fever and the only prescription is Aidan Wallace.”
I groaned and rolled my eyes, which he wouldn’t see but would know. “That was awful. Please never speak like that again.” But I laughed, too, a slip of relief inching into the anxiety, confusion, hurt, and longing.
“Seriously, you should go back later. Talk to her.”
Nerves activated the instant he suggested it. “What do I say? ‘Hey, just wondering if you’re moving here for me even though we haven’t talked in two months?’”
He thought about it a moment, then shrugged. “Why not?”
I sighed again. “Whether or not you believe it, I do havesomepride left, you know.”
“Of course you do. But you’re also in love with this woman and she’s just made one hell of a grand gesture.”
Had it been a grand gesture? Can it be if it isn’t directly stated? Or was I the idiot who was second-guessing everything?
I’d let her go. I hadn’t wanted to. I’d wanted her to stay, and I hadn’t said a damn thing. I’d thought I was doing the noble thing, therightthing. But every minute without her felt wrong, and not even getting to talk to her was worse.
It hadn’t worked for me. And if John wasn’t wrong, it hadn’t for her either. And if I ever wanted a chance with her, I couldn’t keep running away—couldn’t keep pushing down what I wanted in favor of some idea I thought was best.
I needed to say what I wanted and let her respond. I hadn’t asked her to stay and yet she’d ended up back here anyway. Wasn’t that enough of a sign?
CHAPTERFORTY-SEVEN
Maddie
Aidan knocked quietly three hours later. I’d been shocked to see his text come hours after he’d left. He’d only stayed about ten minutes after arriving earlier and had clearly had no interest in lingering and talking.
As someone who generally did things well and often right the first time, I’d screwed up countless times with Aidan. I hated that this whole thing had gone sideways and definitely didn’t result in him getting the message I’d thought I was sending.
I’d watched John’s car slip down the road with a tight chest and aching heart. Dahlia and Sarah had retrieved me and assured me it’d take time. And they were right. I’d known this wasn’t going to unlock everything between us, but I hated that I’d missed the mark so thoroughly that he’d essentially run away. I’d shocked him and not in a good way.Way to go, Maddie.
But after the last of my friends trickled out and the catering staff slipped a tray of leftovers in the fridge, I’d checked my phone and seen the text.“Can I come over to talk when everyone’s gone?”
Off to the races, my heart galloped in my chest as I responded, praying it wasn’t too late. He’d sent the message an hour earlier. But soon enough, those little dots popped up and he was responding, saying he’d be here soon.
I paced the living room and practiced what I’d say for the thousandth time, and then came the knock. I sprinted to the door and pulled it open, heart tripping at the sight of him. He hadn’t changed, but his demeanor had. That part of him that’d felt untouchable before, like he’d slipped on a mask or coated himself in something protective and distancing, was missing.
“I’m sorry it’s so late,” he said, that voice pouring over me like mulled cider.
Paired with the chilled fall scent walking in with him, my senses were overwhelmed. Still, I found my voice, more than ready for this moment. “I’m just glad you’re here.”
He followed me inside and I stopped near the bar of the kitchen island, not sure what to do with my hands. They wanted to reach out and touch him. They wanted to pull him toward me so I could press my lips to his. They kind of wanted to strangle him for leaving without more than a few words earlier.
“I’m sorry I left so quickly. I…” He cleared his throat. “I was surprised.”
“I know. And I have so much to say. So much I owe you.”
He was shaking his head before I finished. “No. No, Maddie. You don’t owe me. You never have. I just wasn’t sure what this all was.”
