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“I treated some people badly and one woman in particular. It didn’t end well for either of us and the fallout made me the man I am today. Just because she was different, you know?”

He shakes his head, stretching hisarms overhead. “When we tell you there are bad people out there, we speak from personal experience too. I was a bully. Now I see what it’s like to be on the other side, and I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for what I did.”

He glances over to me and his gaze drops to my lips.

“I spent a lot of time thinking I didn’t deserve a second chance,” he finishes.

I try to picture Aiden as a younger guy. He’sstillyoung at twenty-six, but rather high school and college age. Before the accident. He must have been one of those life of the party types. Maybe even a real douchebag, if I believe him.

“I know the feeling,” I say. “But you do deserve a second chance. Everyone does.”

Aiden sighs and lifts his gaze to my eyes. Something in his expression warms and my mind shifts to the kiss from last night. Brief yet promising so much more. I see red, but it’s not the red of fury or anger. It’s the red of passion and neon lights and thigh highs with lace.

His favorite color.

“I guess what I’m trying to say, Gilli, is that whatever secrets you keep, you’re not alone. We all have our dark pasts and our skeletons in the closet. So if you ever feel ready to tell me what brought you here…it can stay between us, if it makes you feel better.”

I have to give him something real. Not because I owe him but because it feels wrong to keep being shallow in the face of his realness.

I gnaw my lower lip, tugging at a stray piece of hair. “I’m not ready to tell you everything. It would be a long story, and I’m not sure either of us is in the right frame of mind to hear it. Especially me.”

My mouth has gone dry and I sweep my tongue over my teeth.

“Fair enough,” Aiden agrees carefully.

“I’ve done everything I can in my life to get out of the trailer park. And I guess, sometimes, I struggle now becauseI feel like I’m still there. Mentally. Like I’m trapped in being small no matter how many risks I take.”

“And you consider yourself a risk taker?”

I can’t look at him. “That’s what got me into this mess. I force myself out of my comfort zone as much for spite as for growth. And I want better for myself even if I’m not always capable of it. I work hard for my dreams but something happened to me. I’m hoping those dreams are still possible.”

My eyes dart up to meet his.

His lips are tight now, his mouth a razor line, but there’s no other change to indicate a shift in feelings.

“I don’t see you as a bully,” I tell him. “I think lives are made on second chances. You’re a good person, Aiden, no matter what you did.”

“Maybe when we both get around to sharing our stories, once the gory details are aired you’ll change your mind. Maybe not.” He cocks his head to the side and nods once before standing. “I look forward to it, though, Gilli.”

I blink at him. “Why? I guess that’s what I don’t understand. Why do you genuinely care?”

“I know what you’re thinking.” He steps over and my breath catches when he bends in front of me, his hands gripping the arms of my chair, pinning me in place with his proximity. “It’s not just the family connection. I want to knowyou.”

“There isn’t much worth knowing,” I tell him tightly.

“Is that what you think or what life has taught you to believe? You don’t want to keep playing small? Start now.” His expression softens an inch and makes him even more devastating. “If something happened and it was outside of your control, then it wasn’t your fault. Okay?”

His hands move slowly from the chair arms to my knees. Warmth spreads through me where he touches as Aiden hoists himself back up to standing. Pain flashes across his features before he gets his knee in a better position.

I can’t tell if I’m disappointed or not.

The mood immediately lifts with his grin. “If you want to go anywhere today, let me know. I took my break yesterday, so I’m free to play chauffeur if you want to have a little fun. Or if you want toriskdriving your rust heap to town, be my guest.”

His attention shifts briefly to my lips a second time, and then south toward the swell of my chest. Oh yes. His idea of fun would be a nice distraction.

Desire curls in my stomach.

“Actually, do you mind if I use your phone? I’d like to look up some things online. I’m sure Soren told you, but he had a shit fit when I borrowed his yesterday.”