Page 52

“I’m okay, I’m okay. Don’t worry,” he comforts me.

The rider of the bike rushes over. “Shit, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you guys. Everyone okay? Let me take a look.” I know who it is before he even removes his helmet. “I’m pre-med,” he says.

“Motherfucker! Are you serious, Taejin? Watch where the fuck you’re going. Why are you riding your bike on the sidewalk, anyways?” Aiden is fired up. I’ve never seen him this angry.

Taejin’s face is as red as a tomato. “I... I... I’m sorry, but I was rushing to...”

“Forget it. Just, please, get out of the way. And be more careful next time.” Aiden looks me over one more time before standing up and offering me his hand.

“Wait, wait, I should make sure you both are okay. That no one got a concussion from the fall,” Taejin says.

“Neither of us hit our heads, genius. What are you learning over there in pre-med?” Aiden asks.

I almost feel sorry for Taejin at this point.

I squeeze Aiden’s hand to calm him down. “Fuck, I’m sorry. I just was scared shitless that you were hurt,” he says.

“I’m okay. I thought my ankle was twisted, but it doesn’t hurt. See? I can put my weight on it.”

Taejin’s immediate reaction is to bend down to inspect my foot.

“Don’t even think about it,” Aiden stops him.

“I’m fine, Taejin, thanks,” I say.

I place my hand on Aiden’s chest and step in closer so he can see and feel for himself that I’m okay. His heartbeat is racing. “Hey,” I whisper. He looks down at me, brow furrowed. I take my finger and press it to the spot, softening the worry. “I’m okay, I swear.”

He looks at me one second longer and then nods.

“Let’s go,” I say. I look back over my shoulder. “See you around, Taejin.”

“Yeah, um, okay, uh, I’m glad you guys are okay. Sorry, again. I’ll be more careful, I swear,” he says.

I smile and wave and grab Aiden’s hand.

We walk a few steps, but then Aiden pulls me aside, off the sidewalk and back toward a line of bushes and trees.

“I saw that bike coming and I freaked out. I thought for sure you were gonna get hit. I’m going to kick his ass...”

“Hey, I’m okay. Don’t think about it anymore,” I say. My voice is calm, soft, and my one focus is to ease Aiden’s mind of what he thought was going to happen but, thankfully, didn’t.

He takes a step closer and leans into me as my back hits up against a tree. He bends until his forehead rests against mine and for a few seconds we remain there until his breath evens out.

“Thanks for saving me,” I whisper.

“We were lucky,” he whispers back. Our lips are so close that I think I feel the movement from his words against my own.

“I don’t ever want you getting hurt,” he says. “Not here...” He raises my hand and kisses it. I feel a slight sting and realize my palm is scraped. I hadn’t even noticed earlier. “Not in here,” he says as he kisses my temple. “Not in here,” he says as he bends a little to kiss right over my heart.

I gasp. The intensity of the moment, of his words, of the tenderness of his kisses is almost too much for me to bear.

He pulls back just a fraction and looks into my eyes. When I look back into his, I find layers of emotion to explore, volumes of stories I want to read and know all about.

“Aiden,” I say, almost no sound coming from my mouth. I’m too afraid to say anything more.

“Irene,” he says back, just before he leans in and puts his lips to mine.

A small moan escapes me, and Aiden reads the invitation for more. He opens my lips with his tongue, and I invite him in. His arm moves to wrap around my waist as he pulls me closer to him. My hands grip both his shoulders and I hangon tight, not wanting any space to separate us.