Page 41 of 27 Kisses

And then, every one of my senses picks up on Aidyn’s presence.

“Do you know what you want?”

His abruptness is because of Jane. Not me. Unless…

He takes Jane’s order.

“And you—Garrett?” His hesitation and the slight warmth in his voice tell me I was right the first time. He almost called me love. Which makes happiness bubble inside me, but I hate that he still has to hold back. “Can I have eggs over easy and pancakes?”

“It’ll be out in a minute.” He smiles at me and glares at Jane.

She sighs. “Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?”

“Not sure.” I watch him as he walks back to the kitchen. God, he fills out those pants nicely. Then I remember Jane. I cough. “Don’t give up on him, okay?”

“What’s going on with you guys?”

I jerk my head up. “What? Nothing.” But Jane figured it out all those years ago. How had I forgotten that? Except she didn’t figure all of it out on her own. Turns out Emily knew about my crush on her husband.

But Jane guessed we were together when we worked through our issues at her wedding to Isaac.

She leans in closer. “Did you fuck it up?”

“Why do you assume it was me?” She obviously thinks we’re no longer together. Who can blame her? It’s been seven years.

“Because, my dear brother, there’s absolutely nothing Aidyn Christy could do that you wouldn’t forgive him for.”

I start to argue, but it’s so damn true. “Am I that obvious?”

“You still give him moony eyes and watch his ass every time he walks away.” She shrugs. “Does anyone else notice? Probably not.”

At least there’s that. When Aidyn brings out food, I’m self-conscious. Not wanting to look at him for too long.

“Are you okay?” he asks, giving me a confused look.

“Fine.” Do I sound breathy? Jesus.

“You don’t sound okay.” He glares at Jane as if it’s all her fault.

“I’m fine.” I smile so he knows I mean it. He shakes his head.

And when he walks away, I keep my eyes on my food. Jane laughs.

“What’s so funny?” Zye asks, slipping into the seat beside me.

“Garrett.” Jane laughs again, and I give her a warning look. That causes her to laugh even more.

Miles sits across from Zye. “You’re hosting family Christmas this year?” At my nod, he says, “Last year, everyone went their separate ways. I’m glad we’re all together now.”

Zye smiles at him, and it’s so full of love that I look away. I feel like I’m intruding. Would they be okay with Aidyn and me being together? I can’t imagine them being opposed to it. The town loves Aidyn. His grumpiness is endearing. Because the man has a big heart.

A scrape on the floor next to me has my head jerking up as Aidyn pulls out a chair. It’s the closest to me, and consequently, the farthest away from Jane.

He sets his coffee on the table and then his ass in the chair. As he settles in his seat, he seems to notice everyone staring. “What? I can’t sit with my family in my own diner?”

“It’s the breakfast rush.” Zye narrows his eyes as if this is somehow a trick. “And you can, but you usually don’t.”

“And we haven’t ordered…” One look from Aidyn and Miles’s voice trails off.