“Explains the boots, then.” Aiden looks down at the cowboy boots in question. “How very John Wayne of you.”
The flush on Theo’s face is so dark it’s almost purple now. I feel another pinch, this one potent enough to make my breath catch.
I may not like Theo Morgan, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel sorry for him. I’m also wondering how the hell I explain why I’m meeting our boss at a country western bar twenty minutes outside the city on a Saturday.
Guess Theo and I both have secrets we’d rather not share.
“That’s very sweet of you, Theo, to take your mom and sisters out on a line dancing date,” I try.
He shoots daggers at me with his eyes. “You and Aiden meeting up for some friendly chit-chat?”
“Yes, actually. Nora’s thinking about purchasing my townhouse,” Aiden replies smoothly. “I’m looking for a single-family home, something with a little more space, so she and I might just get a trade done today.”
It’s not a total lie. It’s also not the truth either. Aiden’s talked about buying a house for a while now. Yes, his townhouse is gorgeous, so I mentioned I’d be interested if he ever did sell. But I know that’s not why he’s here today.
“Oh,” Theo says. “Nice.”
“I’m Ava,” his sister says, sticking out her hand to Aiden. “Aiden, was it? You know, I just adore all things British. Just ask my brother—he binged the entire first season of—”
“That’s enough,” Theo warns.
Aiden shakes Ava’s hand, his smile polite, but the look in his eyes is one of judgmental amusement.
“Lovely to meet you, Ava. I also happen to adore all things British.”
Oh, God, is he really flirting with Theo’s much younger sister? Theo does not appear amused. He actually looks stricken, like he knows Aiden is poking fun at his family. My face burns for him.
I gently elbow Aiden. “So, hey, Morgan. We’ll leave y’all to your dancing lesson. Aiden and I have an appointment with my realtor in a bit, and I’d like to grab a coffee on the way.”
Theo’s eyes bore into mine. I can’t tell if I’m just pissing him off more, or if he’s grateful I’m taking the lead in diffusing a hellishly awkward situation. He certainly doesn’t deserve the favor, but I’m giving it to him anyway. Maybe he’ll cut me some slack at work on Monday.
Theo’s sisters protest. Ree clasps my hand one last time. “It was a treat meeting you, Nora. Hope to see you again soon.”
We say quick goodbyes, and then I steer Aiden toward the exit.
“Wow.” Aiden holds the door open for me. “Just . . . wow.”
“Don’t be a jerk. You’re stooping to Theo’s level.”
“I just never would’ve expected that.”
It’s still drizzling, but that doesn’t stop me from rounding on Aiden when we get to the gravel parking lot in front of the bar. “What exactly did you want to talk to me about today?”
Aiden cocks his head, raindrops catching on his neatly combed hair. The fucker, it’s like he knows when he needs to turn on his tweedy, devastatingly effective English charm. “Did I do something to upset you?”
“Tell me what you want to talk about.”
“The reason why one of those gentlemen in there was wearing a silly necklace, for starters.”
“It’s a bolo, and I happen to think bolos are rad.”
Aiden looks at me blankly, unsure if I’m joking.
I’m not.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” he says at last, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I know it’s been a difficult week for you.”
My throat tightens. How should I answer that? Am I okay? All week I’ve felt like I’m at the top of my game, and at the same time totally in over my head. I’ve had some record days in terms of sales credits and trades done, and I know I’m in a great place with the majority of my clients. But then I feel this bone-deep exhaustion too, not just being physically worn out, but mentally too. Emotionally.
This shit is hard. But bitching about it isn’t going to help my cause, and neither is spending time with the man who may be charming as hell but doesn’t want what I do.
He doesn’t want me. And I know loneliness and confusion keep leading me down a path I have no business treading. I know Aiden’s leading me on.
But he’s the devil I know, and just having witnessed the one-eighty pulled by the devil I clearly don’t know a damn thing about, there’s comfort in that. What the hell else do I have to do on a rainy Saturday anyway?
“Let’s go grab that coffee,” I say. “We can talk. Work only, obviously.”
“Obviously.” Aiden smiles. “Meet you at The Giddy Goat?”
“I’ll follow you.”
Chapter Ten
Theo
I have never, in all my thirty-four years, dreaded Monday more.
Will Nora say something about seeing me with my family? Worse, will she ask about them? And what about Aiden? My stomach twists when I think about the smug, amused expression on his face when he met my sisters. Amused not because he found them funny, but because he was making fun of them.