Ah ha! Now she tells the truth. “I knew it! You are upset that a man wrote that book.”
“I am not.” She looked away as he gracefully turned her out and back into him. “Okay, maybe a little. I don’t know why. I’m sorry. It’s just, I love your book so much and I always thought that because I liked it so much that Kate and I had some sort of connection. Like if we ever met in real life, we could be friends.”
“But you met me instead.” And no matter how much he wanted to be, he couldn’t be her friend.
“I’m sorry. It’s dumb, I know.”
“Stop apologizing. It’s not dumb. I’m sorry too. You had an idea of who Kate would be, an idea that I planted in your head. Let’s chalk it up to good writing that you believed me.” They fell into relaxed silence again while Aidan considered what he wanted to say. “Beth?” He waited for her to meet his eyes before continuing. “Why don’t you stay awhile longer here in Ireland? What’s so great back in Minnesota that can’t wait a few more days? It’s beautiful here and you should experience that.”
Did she hear him right? “I, well …”
“I could take you out. Show you some sights.”
“But you said you were only staying here for the wedding.”
“I’ve decided to stay a little longer. If I can, you can.”
The song ended and another began but he didn’t let her go and she didn’t pull away so he continued dancing to the slow melody of an old, forlorn love song, One I Love.
When I'm awake, I find no rest
Until his head lies on my breast
When I'm asleep I'm dreaming of
My one, my dear, my own true love
“It’s an awful thing to say. You were so nice to me. The toast to Gram, and you made me not feel scared anymore. You were funny, and familiar.”
“But then I snapped at you.”
Beth nodded and frowned as she turned her face away. Maybe she’d deserved to be snapped at. She had clung to him, and although it hadn’t occurred to her then, she now realized that he was her friend. Only a friend would let her cry on their shoulder, listen to endless stories, and make her comfortable. Only a friend would apologize.
Aidan was a graceful dancer and not once had she stepped on his toes and now, he was asking her to stay. Of course, she couldn’t. What was the point? But him offering meant a lot. “You know, when you’re not being a …”
“A grumpy puss?”
“Yes, when you’re not being a grumpy puss, you’re very nice. Charming even.”
“And when you aren’t scared out of your mind and drunk, you’re very?—”
“Hello, love,” Roan interrupted. “I ran into a friend and we got to talking. Come and meet him and his wife.” Although he’d said he was fine with Beth dancing with Aidan, he felt she had fulfilled her promise to Pamela. Besides, Aidan had danced with her for how long and he hadn’t had her in his arms even once.
Aidan dropped his arms and released Beth to Roan but before she left, she thanked him.
As her hand slowly slipped out of his, his heart groaned. There it was. The sound of him being reeled in. Hook. Line. And sinker.
He watched Roan place his hand on the small of her back, leading her away. She was his date after all. If she didn’t want his hand on her then it wouldn’t be there. That much he knew about Bethany Spinner. She may need some extra care, but she was no baby.
Aidan huffed a breath through his nose as he caught his mother watching him with one of her I-know-best-dear looks. She had sent Beth to dance with him. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that troublemaker’s ulterior motives, and they had nothing to do with saving him from that maid of honor.
Aidan sat down at an empty table where he could see Beth and Roan speaking with other people. Roan’s hand was no longer on her waist. And the more Aidan considered it, he hadn’t seen them have any sort of intimate moment. Like she’d said: she was only here because she owed him a favor.
But he wasn’t ready. As much as he hated to admit it, Fran’s leaving still hurt. He didn’t miss her but he remembered what that felt like to have the one you love betray you. But trying to not think about Bethany Spinner was like pushing water uphill.
He looked around at the couples. Some dancing, some drinking, others flirting. There was one particular couple, friends of the family Connor and Darcie O’Brian, who always looked like they were having a secret conversation that nobody else could hear. Beth was speaking to them now, smiling and nodding. Darcie was an American so Beth was probably pleased to not have to try so hard to understand them.
Maybe he wasn’t ready.