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FIFTEEN

LENNOX

What in the ever-loving hell is happening? Aiden watches me, his golden eyes warm, and I feel like I’m lost in this moment, my world turning upside down. Maybe it’s because he’s so close. I’m steeping in his scent, absorbing the heat of his body.

“What?” I whisper, still shocked by his admission.

Aiden lets out a shaky breath?—

“Lennox?”

I practically jump out of my skin at the sound of my name behind me. Aiden remains steady, his fingers tightening on my hip possessively as the lead singer of Seven—Ryder, I’ve discovered through the research I’ve done since Serena asked me to get into contact with them—approaches.

“Hi, yes. That’s me.” I take a step away from Aiden, forcing him to release me.

“You wanted to talk to me?” Ryder holds up the piece of paper I handed him. He’s wearing a tight white button-down with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing a tattooed forearm that I work hard not to comment on.

“Yes.” I take a deep breath, and then I launch into my spiel, selling myself and the Kingston wedding. This is the perfect opportunity to ignore the feelings swirling inside me because of Aiden’s confession.

Ryder nods along, and with a glance at Aiden, he says, “I’ve got to get back up there, but I’d like to hear more. Can you stick around for a bit and have a drink with me after?”

“Absolutely, thank you so much.” Excitement skitters through me as he turns on his heel and jumps up onto the stage again. “Ah,” I hiss, bouncing in my heels. “Did you hear that?” I ask Aiden. “He’s going to talk to me. I think I can really pull this off.”

“Of course you can. So about that dance?” Aiden’s expression is serious as he surveys me.

Thank god Ryder interrupted us. It gave me the time I needed to see clearly just how out of control this night has become. I shouldn’t be here with my ex-boyfriend. He’s marrying someone else. As much as it hurts, I need to come to terms with it. It’s inappropriate of me to use their wedding as an excuse to spend time with him.

With a deep breath, I plaster on my best professional smile. “I think it’s probably best if you go. I’m going to sit and take some notes for my boss until Ryder is done. I’ll probably even have time to come up with some fun ideas for your wedding.”

Aiden reaches for me. “Lex.”

I pull back before he can make contact and shake my head, swallowing down the emotions that threaten to pour out of me. “I think we got a little carried away this week. This job means a lot to me. I need to focus. Please .”

Aiden’s brown eyes bore into mine, full of determination. For a moment, I worry he’ll continue to push. But then the light leaves him, and he deflates. “How will you get home?”

My heart pangs at the concern he has for me. “I’m a big girl, Aiden. I’ll be fine.”

Jaw locked, he gives me a jerky nod. “Call me if you need me.” His eyes roam over me for one breath, then another. “ Please .”

“Of course,” I murmur. Please, god, make him leave before I beg him to stay .

Angling in, he brushes his lips against my cheek. I hold my breath, knowing that it would only take one whiff of his scent to make me lose my mind and have me leaning into this moment and getting lost in him.

This is cold feet. Nothing more. I’m a comfort to him when he’s nervous about the future. And dammit if my heart can’t handle watching him walk away. So when he brushes past me, I force my attention to the stage, 1,000 percent focused on my job. And the rather good-looking singer whose eyes are laser-focused on me.