“I’ll pay you back.” Her voice was muffled by his chest. His shirt was thin enough for him to feel her breath through the cotton. It sent a shot of pleasure through him, one he had no right to feel. And yet it was good. So good.
“You don’t have to. Consider it backpayment for child support.”
She looked up at him, her eyes fierce. “No. If I accept your help, I need to know it’s a loan. You’re not Nick’s father. You don’t owe him anything.”
Her words hit him like a fist in the gut. He wanted to double over. Protect himself. Nick wasn’t his son, he was Jamie’s. Damn if the reminder didn’t hurt more than a punch.
“Okay, it’s a loan. I’ll even get my lawyer to draw up an agreement if you want.”
Her expression softened. He wasn’t sure which Brooke he liked more – the angry kick ass one, or the kind, soft spoken one.
Both. He liked both, and way more than he should.
* * *
“He’s asleep.”
Brooke walked out of the room Ally had made up for Nick and headed into the living room where Aiden was waiting for her. Ally and Nate were out with his daughter for a school meeting followed by dinner, and the house had been empty when they had arrived back from apartment hunting.
Aiden was by the open glass doors, staring out at the ocean as it gently lapped against the evening shore. While she’d helped Nick get ready for bed, Aiden had gone outside to return some phone calls he’d missed during the day. He must have come back in while she was reading Nick a story. It was strange to see him like this – so casual and at ease. He looked more like the Aiden she remembered from all those years ago – the intense student with a muscled body. Her friend. Her lover.
“Is he okay? If you want me to drive to the store, to pick anything up for him, I can.”
“He’s good. Kids don’t need a lot. A roof over their head, some food to eat. Somebody who loves them.” She flashed him a smile. “He was asleep before I even left the bedroom.”
“He’s lucky to have you as his mom.” Aiden’s eyes were dark as they settled on her. She wondered what he saw. The perfect girl he’d once known or the flawed woman she’d become.
After they’d finished apartment hunting, they’d picked Nick up from Ember’s place and the three of them had played on the sand for a while. She could already see where the sun had caught Aiden’s skin and turned it into a deeper tan. Her own skin felt tight from the sea salt carried in the gentle breeze.
“I guess I’ll head home. Now that I know you’re both okay.”
Brooke blinked. “There’s no rush. Ally and Nate will be out for at least another hour with Riley.” She pulled at her bottom lip with her teeth. “Unless you’d rather go.”
“I can stay.”
“Let’s go and sit on the deck,” she suggested, gesturing at the rattan sofa and table Nate had set up out there. “Would you like a drink?”
“No, I’m good.”
The beach was practically empty – this far up the bay it was mostly used by locals. There were too many rocks to make it useful to surfers. The ocean moved back and forth, like one of those penny pushers at the arcade, its constant rhythm soothing to her ears. Above it, the sun was slowly slipping down the sky, casting an orange glow above the horizon. If the sunset had looked beautiful from her bungalow on the cliffs, down here it was achingly perfect.
Sitting beside him, she leaned her head back against the cushions, breathing in the salty ozone. She’d always loved Ally and Nate’s house. It felt so peaceful.
“I called the realtor a while ago,” Aiden said, stretching his legs out in front of him. “They have all the details for the lease. If everything goes to plan you should be able to move in next week.”
“Next week?” She blinked, even though the sun wasn’t dazzling. “I thought it might be sooner. I hope Ally won’t mind too much.”
“You can always move in with me.”
She turned her head to the side, looking at him. “You’ve already done enough for us. I can’t ask for anything more.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering.”
“Same difference.”
He laughed. “I’d forgotten how stubborn you were.”
“I’d forgotten how persistent you were.” She stretched her own legs out, resting her feet on the edge of the coffee table.