“Thank God! There you are.”
Aiden and I pull away, our eyes sharing the realization of that kiss before we both turn to find Kelsey standing there. Before I can say a word, she grabs my wrist and yanks on me. “We have a huge problem.”
I pull back against her hold, look over my shoulder at Aiden looking confused. When I turn back to Kelsey, I see the problem; William is coming up behind her. My blood boils as he approaches and when he stops short of the terrace, I jerk my wrist from Kelsey, slap both hands on Williams chest and shove. He stumbles back and I follow with another shove. “What the hell are you doing here?” I say in a low strain. He holds his hands up as if surrendering. “Please I just have to talk to you. Give me a few minutes.”
I pull in a deep breath and sigh it out, feeling trapped. I’ll need to hear him out to get rid of him so I shake my head and push past him, heading toward the elevator, torn between anger and embarrassment. Then a flash of recognition hits me and I stop short, look back at the terrace. But only Kelsey is standing there.
5
William and I sit in the café, my anger having subsided when as we walked over he told me his mother had passed. She was terminal on hospice care when I ended our relationship.
“I didn’t want to tell you over the phone, but at the same time when I found out where you were…”
I shake my head. “No, William, you can’t be serious.” What part of ‘I don’t want to see your face again’ was not clear? Except that wasn’t possible since I am the administrator at the law firm William works at.
He tries to take my hand but I slide it away. “Listen, baby, I couldn’t handle what my mom was going through. What I did…it was stupid but I truly believe it was the pain.”
Holy crap, this guy. “Look, William, I’m so sorry about Susan. Please send your family my condolences. There’s nothing more to say.” I stand and touch his shoulder. “Have a safe flight.”
As I walk away without a second look, a sense of relief comes over me. It’s tragic about his mother but this little reunion shows me I have no feelings left for the man. The only thing on my mind is that kiss…
When I round the corner, I run into Kelsey. I give her the 411 and she tells me the guys from earlier are getting together tonight, then going to the midnight buffet. “You go. I think after what happened, I just want to chill in my room.”
Kelsey doesn’t push and twenty minutes later, I’m soaking in a hot bath with a glass of wine when my phone pings.
Aiden: Looks like I’m not the only one who can’t stay away from you.
Me: Sorry about that. My ex.
Aiden: That makes sense. Is he still there?
Me: Nope. I’m soaking in the bath.
Aiden: Ah, hell, what are you doing to me?
Me: Funny, you seem interested—especially after that kiss—yet you keep disappearing on me.
Aiden: I apologize. That wasn’t by choice. Trust me.
His words make me smile. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation—naked in the bath.
Me: You don’t seem like the type of guy who’d go to a sing
les event.
Aiden: I’m not.
Me: Then what made you go?
Aiden: You.
I let a tiny gasp out and almost drop my phone. But I recover quickly, knowing all this could be his schtick.
Me: Right!
Aiden: It’s true. After I saw you at the bar, I followed you. I couldn’t risk you meeting someone.
I can’t decide if I should be nervous, flattered, or totally turned on. But I don’t have a choice because all three are happening. As questions whirl through my mind, I see the three dots bouncing.