Dissipate

“Yeah, I’ll be right there to help.”

As I entered the kitchen, Aiden picked up the phone from the table. When I grabbed the used bags of popcorn, I noticed my hands were shaking. Taking a few steadying breaths, I threw the garbage away.

Arms came around my waist. “There is nothing going on between Stacy and me, Kenzie. I swear it. I’d never be unfaithful to you. I’m not going to see her.” He kissed my cheek. “And Levi was being a prick. He’s been after me to hook up with someone after the Stacy ordeal.”

Aiden nuzzled my neck. Hookup? I assumed it meant casual sex with someone like a one-night-stand I had read about.

Still stiff, I responded repentant, “I shouldn’t have looked. It wasn’t my business.”

Stopping, Aiden turned me around to face him. It was hard feeling like I had done something wrong and being judged by others. It was an internal struggle I’d been facing since I’d arrived, but being romantic with a guy was the hardest thing I’d done yet. I wanted Aiden. There was no doubt about my feelings. But, was it right to want him like I did?

His hands came up to my shoulders. “You’re upset. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want people to have a bad impression of me.”

A worried look passed across his features as wrinkles creased his forehead. “I told Levi to fuck off. I’ll never share what we have or haven’t done. It’s none of their business.” Taking a settling breath, Aiden squatted to where we were eye level. “And Stacy, I told her no. There was nothing to talk about. I don’t have anything to hide, Kenzie.”

Closing my eyes, I tried to ground myself. It was a couple of minutes before I spoke. Opening them, Aiden watched me carefully. “I know. I’m overreacting. It’s just that, I grew up very conservative. Like really conservative, Aiden. It caught me by surprise that they’d assume we’re sleeping together. I get that it’s a normal part of relationships.”

Aiden’s right hand caressed my cheek. “If you don’t want me to stay the night, I won’t. There’s no pressure for us.”

“No, I want you to.” The words were out of my mouth before I had a chance to think about them.

Seeing Aiden’s grin helped me remember that what my mom had always said, You know the truth and that’s all that matters, Sarah. After being Kenzie for over the last month, Sarah seemed like another person altogether—she was another person altogether.

“Then I’ll stay the night when I can. I love your honesty. It’s refreshing. There’s no games or hidden agendas.”

It was hard to keep a smile on my face. Most everything I had told Aiden about my past was a lie with only a few pieces of truth thrown it. Instead of agreeing, I kissed him. His lips had become an addiction of mine in less than twenty-four hours.

As the kiss ended, Aiden squeezed me tight. “Let’s go out to get some breakfast. Then we’ll figure out what we want to do today.”

“That sounds perfect.”

I’d focus on my mom’s advice for Aiden and me. At the end of the day, I was tired of letting other people control me. This was my life to live. Mine.

STACY HAD MISSED class this morning. Relief was an understatement. Her friends had glared at me the entire time which meant they knew. Great. Well, I’d deal with that as it happened. The newspaper was busy as I walked in. Greeting my fellow coworker’s, I made my way to the pod area Aiden and I shared.

Betty came up and nudged my shoulder. After getting to know her over the last month or so, she was eccentric, but it was an endearing quality I liked.

“Is it true? Did Aiden finally grow a pair of balls and ask you out.”

I chuckled. The slang was still funny to me. Like . . . how does a person really grow a set of balls? Or . . . How does it rain cats and dogs?

Stopping my internal thoughts, I answered a waiting Betty. “Yes, we’re together.”

“It was about time. Watching him be all moony-eyed over you was becoming unbearable. Oh and I like your new look. Quite sexy, girl. Rawr.”

As Betty backed away with her pigtails swinging she made a cat-like noise. Now, that was something new. It sounded like a weird type of complement. Not knowing how to respond, I gave a big smile and wink.

From three desks away, Aiden popped his head up. “There you are. Tasha wanted to see us when you got here.”

“Okay, let me put my stuff down.”

We walked into Tasha’s office. Amidst all the papers, she looked up from her desk. “Hey, there. As you know Congresswoman Hannigan is scheduled to speak here this Thursday. She’s part of the huge national anti-bully movement that’s spreading like wildfire.” There were several dings into Tasha’s e-mail as she glanced briefly at the screen before continuing. “She’s agreed to a ten-minute interview. All questions must be pre-submitted for approval by tomorrow. Can you guys cover the speech?”

Aiden loved interviews. He looked toward me and I nodded that I was able to do it before he responded, “We’ll get on it.”

“Good. I need the questions on my desk by three tomorrow afternoon so I have time to review before the seven o’clock turn in. Your interview will be at nine forty-five.” Tasha turned back to her work which was our cue to leave. As we made it to the door, our boss called after us. “Oh, and I’m glad you guys finally made it official. Just keep it professional is all I ask.”