Page 67 of Second Act
Chapter 16
Jessica poured herself a mug of fragrant coffee, plopped half a bagel in the toaster, and sat down across from Aidan. He was wearing plaid flannel pajama pants, a gray T-shirt, and a serious case of bedhead, his sun-streaked hair a rat’s nest of spiky knots. She took a gulp of the life-giving beverage, carefully put the mug down on the oak table, and braced herself to make another confession.
Last night while she’d wrestled with the guilt she carried for hurting Pete, she realized that she might have also killed her brother’s chances of getting the job at ExDat.
“You know the picture of Hugh and me in the tabloid?” Her brother hadn’t been there when she’d gotten home last night, but he’d left the paper on the kitchen counter, open to the photo, making Jessica cringe all over again when she saw it.
Aidan nodded, his eyes half-closed, as he took a large swallow of his own coffee.
“Pete saw it, too, and he wasn’t thrilled about it. Not that I blame him. Anyway, we won’t be seeing each other anymore.”
“Shit!” Aidan’s eyes went wide with dismay. It took a moment, but he got past his first reaction and managed to give her a brotherly pat on the hand. “That’s a bummer. Probably not a fun discussion to have with him.”
She was touched by his sympathy. “I hope it doesn’t screw up the job interview.”
“Nah. Pete’s not that kind of guy. Don’t worry about it.” Aidan’s confidence seemed a little forced. “It’s none of my business, but what’s going on with you and Hugh, anyway? The picture made things look kind of, um, intense.”
She made a face. “Pictures can be misleading.”
“Yeah, but you wanted to marry Hugh once. Are you headed in that direction again?” He raised both hands, palm out. “Just to be clear, I think he’s a cool guy, so I’m on your side either way.”
His unconditional support sent a little tendril of warmth curling into her chest. “You’re a pretty decent brother, you know.”
Aidan grinned, which, combined with his bedhead, made him look about ten years old. “I keep telling you that. Are you going to answer my question or not?”
“Not?”
“I said it was none of my business.” But he looked hurt.
“I don’t know the answer,” she said. “With Hugh, nothing’s ever simple.”
“You’re always revved up by a challenge.”
She sighed. “Do you think that’s why I keep falling in love with him?”
Her brother’s eyebrows rose. “Oh-kay, so that was an answer.”
“It doesn’t mean anything because I have no idea how he feels about me.” She braced her chin on her hands. “We live such different lives. I just don’t see how to reconcile them, even if he wanted to. We couldn’t manage it eight years ago.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but eight years is a long time. You’ve both changed. Maybe you could work it out now.”
A spark of optimism flared. If her irresponsible brother thought it was possible...“I’ve considered that, but I figured it was just wishful thinking on my part.”
“You’re already in love with him again. If it doesn’t work out, it’s still going to hurt. But if you don’t try, you’ll pile regret on top of the pain.”
“Wow! That’s incredibly...smart.”
“It’s just logic. I’m good at that.” He grinned again, his gray eyes bright now. “But you’re welcome for the brotherly wisdom.”
She laughed just as her phone pinged with a text. She pulled it out of the pocket of her forest-green scrubs and swiped into the message.
Schedule rearranged. Will be at the Carver Center at noon. Shall I wear Julian’s tuxedo?
“Oh my God! I can’t believe he did it!” Jessica shouted.
Aidan winced, his free hand over one ear. “Hey, keep the volume down. I haven’t had my second cup of coffee yet.”
“Sorry.” She typed back, feeling the uncontrollable smile that stretched her lips wide:You are truly the Best! If you could carry a really cute puppy while wearing the tuxedo, that would be perfect. Thank you a thousand times over!
