“Tell me… things with you and Aiden?”
She looked ten years older suddenly.
“I think I’m gonna go catch up with him, actually. You and Dad could use some rest, don’t worry about me.”
She looked a little relieved. I’m not sure if it was about me catching up with Aiden or about her being too spent to mother me.
“We’re fine here. I’ll take you to the airport when you’re ready.”
“I’ll come back for a weekend in a few weeks when Dad’s a little less grumpy.”
She smiled. “Sounds wonderful. So, you two?”
She’s excited about me having a new romance blooming. I am, too.
“We’ll see.” I said, unable to hide how hopeful I was about it.
Before I left, I went back downstairs and noticed Aiden had put the bed back in before he left, which was a relief.
He even made an effort at folding the blankets and sheet. The results weren’t great, but he tried.
It had to be weird for him to be here in this ordinary working- class house in my parents’ 70s basement.
I smiled at the memory of my Mom giving him McDonald’s, at him winking at me while he was eating his hot apple pie.
I figured I could go back to New York City and surprise Aiden. Get my mind off worrying about my family. So, I flew back, took a cab to a lingerie store, bought something sexy, and stopped at a Starbucks down the street from his building, changing in the bathroom so I could wear the sexy teddy under my clothes.
***
I wheel my stuff into the lobby and the concierge from the other night is here.
“Hi. I’m Carly Adler. I’m staying with Aiden Carmichael, and…”
“Oh, Miss Adler. Go right on up,” he says, smiling. “Mr. Carmichael said you’d be here until Thursday, so I don’t have to announce you.”
He gestures to the elevators.
I guess I am really going to surprise him.
I press the button for 75.
I get off the elevator and I’m facing Aiden’s beautiful ex- girlfriend, who is waiting for the elevator, tears in her eyes.
She glares at me. “You. You’re here, too?”
I rear back, sort of shocked.
“Is he fucking you?”
My mouth is open, but nothing is coming out.
The door is closing, so she grabs it with her hand and it slides back open. She holds it open and leans in towards me. “Is. He. Fucking. You?”
“That’s none of your business,” I whisper.
She glares at me. “I knew it.” And then she storms into the elevator and she glares at me as the doors close.