Page 93 of Vain

“You lucky fuck. Hey Matilda, how would you feel about me moving in?”

“I’ve got the space, so sure, why not?”

Aiden shakes his head, laughing. “How about I warm up dinner and set the table while you go on up and get changed.”

I walk over and kiss him lightly, pulling back before we can get carried away. “Thank you.”

“No problem. I’ll give Kellen a tour and show him to his room. Want me to put him in my old one?”

I feel myself blush but nod. “Yeah, that works. I won’t be long.”

“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere.”

I take him at his word and leave them both to it as I head upstairs to the bedroom. My hand grabs the knob and I twist, pushing it wide and stepping through before I realize what I did.

I take a moment to center myself before the panic kicks in. Surprisingly, I’m okay and don’t have the urge to rush back and twist the knob three times. I walk to the bedroom with a grin on my face as I strip out of my pinstripe pants and white button-up shirt.

I’m not stupid. I don’t think I’ve magically found the cure to my anxiety, but having good days when I forget about it means I’m on the road of healing the path to despair. That’s always a win. I’ve had some bad days over the last six weeks. The chaos surrounding my mom and the media has been brutal and I could feel myself pulling back and wanting to be left alone. I’m not sure I’d have made it through unscathed if it wasn’t for Aiden.

Deciding I have time for a shower, I pull my hair into a messy bun and climb in once the water is warm. I let the water pound over me, easing the ache of being on my feet all day. Once done, I dry off and slip on clean underwear before tugging on a pair of gray buttery-soft leggings and a muted pink slouchy cashmere sweater. I pull on some cream-colored fluffy socks and leave my hair in a bun, pulling a few tendrils free to frame my face.

I head down to find the boys, not surprised in the least to find them back in the kitchen plating up the food.

“So what happens next?” Kellen asks.

I pause just outside the doorway where they can’t see me.

“What do you mean? With the movie? I think Tilly said something about post-production shit, like cutting parts out and adding music, that kind of thing.”

“No, I mean what happens next with you and Matilda? I can tell you’re gone for the girl and I can’t say I blame you. She’s a sweetheart, but how is this going to play out when you both live in different states?”

“I don’t know. I’d love nothing more than to come home,” Aiden says, ripping my heart to shreds. I cover my mouth with my hand and almost miss the next part. “But I’m not leaving here without her.”

“Would she move to Tempest?”

Aiden sighs. “I guess I hoped she would, but she’s made little comments lately that make me have my doubts. She has a whole life here, a career she’s desperately fought for. I can’t ask her to leave all that behind.”

“It’s her choice to make. You don’t get to decide that for her. You should ask her. She might just surprise you.”

“I don’t want to pressure her. She has enough going on.”

“There is always going to be something going on. It’s time to shit, Aiden, or get off the pot. Has it ever occurred to you that she hasn’t said anything because she’s not sure what you want? Make your intentions clear. At least that way you’ll both be on the same page and you can deal with shit together.”

“Where the fuck is all this useful advice coming from? Did that explosion knock something free?”

“Fuck knows, but I am starting to sound more and more like Yoda.”

“Wise you have become,” I offer, walking into the kitchen.

Kellen looks up at me grinning. “Ah, young Padawan has arrived.”

“And just in time. The food is ready. Here, grab the salad. I’ll bring the pasta and garlic bread, and Kellen will grab some drinks.”

“Just water for me please,” I call out as I grab the bowl of salad and head to the dining room. I place the bowl on the table and step back as Aiden puts the pasta and bread down.

He slides a hand around my waist and pulls me to him. “You good?”

I nod, lifting on tiptoes to kiss him. He pulls back when Kellen enters, but only to pull out a chair for me. I sit and watch bemused as he and Kellen dish up my food, moving in tandem like a couple that’s been married for years. It kind of reminds me of Greyson and Marley.