Page 46 of Size King

She takes my hands and holds them in hers compassionately. I wipe my tears away on my sleeve.

“First of all,” she begins. “You don’thaveto work for Aiden Marx if you don’t want to. No one’s making you do anything. You either want to stay at Tech Wreck for your unbelievable work ethic or your heart. Or both.

“Secondly, I just have to ask you: Do youreallythink you could actually be falling for him?You’renot confused at all? He is really handsome and really rich.”

“I’m pretty sure I am falling in love with him,” I tell her. “Orwasfalling. I don’t know. Ugh, it’s going to be torture being around him, pretending to be married when I know it can never be.”

“Kate,” says Lily impatiently. “You don’t know if you two could be a thing or not! You need to talk to him! You’ve talked to me enough. After we pay our bill, the next thing you should do is go and talk with Aiden. Clear the air.”

“What if I don’t believe him when he tries to convince me he has feelings for me?” I ask. “If he cared about me, he would’ve said so when I asked.”

“I’m sorry, but do you evengetguys?” Lily asks through fits of laughter. “Guys aren’t ever honest about how they feel. You have to drag that out of them. That’s just how men are. You’ve got a man that might just need a little time.”

“What if I’m like head over heels for this guy, and it all turns out to mean nothing?” I ask.

“That’s how it is in all romances, hun,” says Lily. “No one knows what the future holds. People break up for a multitude of reasons all the time. How can you have a relationship if you aren’t willing to take a little risk?”

I think about Lily’s wise words as we clean off our plates and pay our waitress. I ponder on what Aiden is doing, and if he is thinking about me.

“Noway!” Lily laughs.

I look at her and realize that something by the entrance caught her attention. I’m stupefied.

There, standing in my diner yet again, is Aiden Marx. He is accompanied by a business associate that I know by face but not by name. They scand the place looking for a seat.

“I don’t believe this,” I utter. “Shit.”

“What are thefuckingodds?” Lily asks.

“I’m the unluckiest person in the city,” I say with my head in my hands.

“I think the ten thousand or so homeless people scattered on the streets would challenge that claim,” she says. “But holy shit. This really is ludicrous. Same diner, same time. It would’ve been the same duo if Aiden had brought his hot friend with him.”

Without me helping, Aiden finds me. He looks just as astounded as I am. He grins and walks toward our table with his associate.

“Remember, you’re supposed to be engaged,” Lily whispers.

“Kate!” says Aiden upon arrival. “I had no idea you were coming here for brunch this morning.”

“Well, it’s becoming one of my favorite places in the city,” I say.

I stand up so that I can kiss and hug Aiden for a second. I’m mostly doing it for Aiden’s business associate to keep up appearances, but I have to admit that it feels good just feeling his warm embrace and warm lips against mine again.

“Hi, Lily!” Aiden says.

“Hello, Aiden,” she says with a smile. “Fancy seeing you here again.”

“We do seem to run into each other a lot, don’t we?” he asks. “Ladies, this is my business associate, Gavin. Gavin and I were just about to have lunch ourselves.”

“Why don’t I give you a moment, Aiden?” Gavin offered. “I’ll get us a seat.”

“Thanks, Gav,” says Aiden. “I’ll have raspberry tea if they ask.”

“You know what,” Lily says as she gets on her feet. “Why don’t I give you both some privacy, as well? I’ll be outside, Kate. It was good seeing you again, Aiden.”

And just like that, my best friend abandons me and leaves me to face my eccentric billionaire. This time, he chooses not to sit, but rather to stand.

“I have to admit,” he says quietly. “I’m a little surprised to see you still wearing your engagement ring.”