“It's the one thing I wish people didn't know,” Aiden explained softly. “People see me and think that I'm a walking ATM. It's worse than just being wealthy, because every single person knows I can afford anything, so they don't even bother pretending to be polite about it. Do you know how many people tell me not to spend my money on them? One.”
“Who?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
The corners of Aiden's eyes crinkled with warmth as he smiled. “You.” He reached across the table for my hands. It felt good to be touched by him. “You are the best thing that's happened to me in a long time.”
“So, you're actually okay with having a dumb girlfriend that doesn't recognize the signs of a man with money?” I asked. I still felt stupid for being so oblivious.
“You are not dumb,” he assured me. “And I'm very okay with it. Are you okay dating a billionaire?”
“Honestly, I'm still processing it.” I looked up to see his smile falter and my heart dropped. “I thought you were a normal guy and I just found out that you make my year's salary in an hour. It's just kind of a rough transition. I'm having to change my expectations a little.”
His brow tightened. “What do you mean?”
“I was imagining you picking me up in a five year old car with a banged up headlight, and now I'm trying to imagine a helicopter. I was thinking that date night would be dinner at a drive-thru and then cramming into a crowded movie theater instead of five-star dining and opera.” I looked up at him and shrugged. I felt incredibly overwhelmed by his wealth. “I don't even know how to ride in a limo, let alone a helicopter.”
He squeezed my hands and smiled. “Limos are just like cars, only bigger.”
“It's just...” Here was the hard part. Here was where I had to tell him that I didn't fit in his world. I couldn't look at him. “I don't know how to handle helicopters and opera. I don't know if I'm good enough for you.”
He didn't immediately say anything and I could feel the silence like a weight. I had just given him an out and now I had to wait for him to take it. I didn't want him to, but I needed to give him the chance.
He let go of my hands and stood. My stomach tightened into a cold ball. He was going to leave and he had every right to. I wasn't worthy of a billionaire.
Instead of leaving, though, he came and knelt by my chair. I stared at the ground, heart pounding and head unsure. He dipped his beautiful head until he was in my line of sight and I had to look at him. He was smiling.
“You are more than good enough for me,” he said softly. He touched my cheek so tenderly my heart was ready to explode. “If anything, you're too good.”
I let out a nervous breath that sounded almost like a giggle. “You're okay with dating a girl with about three hundred dollars in her bank account? It's going to make it a little tough for me to split the bill at the opera.”
He grinned. “The guy's supposed to pay anyway on a date.”
I wasn't sure if he kissed me, or if I kissed him. Either way, our lips connected just the way they were supposed to. It was the sweetest kiss I had ever had. It was love.
He returned to his chair, grinning at me as he picked up the cold french fry again. “You know, I can get you fresh ones,” I offered as he made a face as the second fry was no better than the first.
“Where's the fun in that?” he asked with a laugh and picked up another. I shook my head at him. He held up the fry in midair, a question crossing his brow. “You only have three hundred dollars? I thought lawyers made more than that.”
I stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out how to say this. I needed to tell him that I wasn't the lawyer he thought I was. This was my chance to make sure all our secrets were cleared out before they came between us and ruined things.
“I'm sorry,” Aiden apologized, mortification filling his face. “That was incredibly rude of me to ask you about your money. You don't have to answer that.”
“No, it's actually something I need to tell you.” I swallowed down the fear. He would understand. He just said that he cared for me. I loved him for him and not his bank account. He loved me and not the fact that I was a lawyer. I could do this. I took a deep breath.
“There you are!” Kathryn exclaimed, interrupting the pulsating silence between us. Her normally calm demeanor was gone and she looked about ready to melt into pure panic at any moment. “I've been looking everywhere for you! The plane's being prepped right now. We have to go.”
“Plane?” I repeated, confused. “What plane?”
“Smith had a heart attack last night,” Kathryn explained as she grabbed my hand to pull me up from my chair. “I just found out after the meeting because for some god-forsaken reason, the second chair thought he could handle it and didn't call in Ward or let the judge know right away.”
“Holy shit,” I gasped. This was bad. Super bad.
“It just gets worse from there. The news is calling it the 'Dallas Disaster.'” Kathryn let go of my hand once I was standing. “It's an all-hands-on-deck emergency. I had someone pack your bags and they're already on the plane. We have to leave right now.”
I looked over at Aiden. I couldn't leave things like this. I had to tell him the truth. I was so close. “But...”
“Go. They need you. You can tell me whatever it was later.” His face was pure understanding. He was a wonderful man, no matter what had happened between him and that secretary.
“I'll be right behind you,” I promised Kathryn. She pursed her lips unhappily, but nodded. She started walking and I knew I only had a second or two to catch up.