“I am making your favorite dinner today.”
“All of your foods are my favorite,” he tells her taking my hand and pulling me back into the living room. “I missed you today.”
“Did you?” I ask him teasingly.
“Yup. A whole lot.” He lifts me off the floor for another kiss.
“So you guys working on baby number two already, huh?” Aidan walks into the room with Hillary in tow. We untangle from each other’s arms.
“Aidan Riles,” Christopher says playfully, and they give each other a man hug.
“Hey, Chris?” Hillary asks him with a questioning grin and a hand on her hip.
“That’s me,” Chris says with a nod, and she glances my way and winks.
“When I texted you, I expected a phone call, but I must be really special to get a whole visit,” Chris says, and Aidan shrugs.
“Well, someone convinced him…” Hillary sings wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Oooh…” Chris says and Aidan looks away embarrassed.
“So I’m here in the windy city—when do I get to blow her?” My mouth falls open, and Hillary grins like a Cheshire cat. Chris blows out an annoyed breath.
“I meant like hit the town, man. Let’s have some fun. After everything that’s happened couldn’t we use some drinks?”
“You want to go out?” Chris glances at me to ask, and I shrug.
“Come on, Lauren. When was the last time we’ve been out?! I know you’re a mom but do you have to be a grandma?” she teases me.
“Hey, what’s wrong with being a grandma?” Mrs. Scott asks making her entrance.
“Ms. Red, what are you doing here?” Aidan happily lifts her into a big hug.
“Hi, Mrs. Scott.” Hillary is more bashful, and I’m a little surprised She’s never been one to be bashful not even around Raven.
“Hi, Hillary. Nice to see you again.” Mrs. Scott offers her a friendly smile though since the last time she saw them, it was anything but nice to see them.
“I didn’t think you’d be here. Who’s watching—” I elbow Aidan hard in the stomach. “Owww,” he says rubbing his side. Hillary and Chris look at me as if I’ve lost my mind but Mrs. Scott looks at me gratefully.
“I have the perfect place for us to go!” I say dramatically.
“You have the perfect place for us to go? Since when do you party?” Hillary asks me with a confused laugh.
“Uhm…I saw this listening party on TV that seemed pretty cool. Everyone wears headphones so you can listen to the music you want.”
“Headphones?” Aidan scoffs but thankfully has moved on from spilling information that really isn’t needed right now.
“I’ve been to one, and it’s actually pretty cool.” Hillary says but her eyes go to me.
“You guys are going to be cool at a club? I assumed that Chris would want to hang at a bar or something,” Hillary says curiously. Actually, I’d rather be at a bar than a club—fewer people, more laid back, and no room for issues to arise.
“Whatever you guys want to do,” Chris says.
“Okay I have another suggestion. Let’s all be open-minded about this…” Aidan starts and Chris folds his arms waiting for what he is going to say.
“A strip club!” Aidan shouts enthusiastically, and we all stare at him blankly. Chris tries to stifle a laugh.
“A club where girls are only half-naked it is,” Hillary dismisses his idea. “What are you going to wear, handsome?” she asks looking at Aidan.
“I can borrow some of Chris’s clothes,” he shrugs easily. It makes sense since he and Chris are about the same size.
“Chris, you have clubbing clothes?” Hillary stares at him in disbelief.
“I’m sure we can find something in the closet,” I butt in. “Come on, Aidan. Let me show you around the wardrobe.” I take his hand and pull him out of the room. I glance back at Chris and Hillary who have confused looks on their faces.
“You two, I need your taste buds in the kitchen,” Mrs. Scott picks up on my hint.
“I’m not picky. You pick whatever you think would look good on me, Mrs. Scott,” Aidan says playfully as we round the stairs.
“I’m sure you have more of an opinion than that,” I tell him tightly until we get to the second floor. I lead him into our bedroom and look at him. “Chris doesn’t know about Willa.” His smile fades and realization dawns on his face.
“Oooh.” He crosses his arms across his chest.
“And you guys aren’t going to tell him… ever?” he asks with an concerned chuckle.
“Of course we are. While Mrs. Scott is still figuring things out, it makes no sense to tell him right now.” Aidan looks at me and lets out an incredulous laugh.
“So you think hiding it from him is a good thing?”
“I’m not hiding anything really…” I trail off guiltily. “The thing is, even though it’s been a few months, this is still new to Chris. Collin has been here and it’s all like a fresh wound. I don’t want to go picking at it while it’s fresh.” I try to explain.
“You’re his wife, Lauren. What you say goes.” He throws up his hands in defeat, and I feel like I’ve lost.
“Mrs. Scott doesn’t know if she’s staying with Mr. Scott yet, so it doesn’t make sense for Chris to stress over what all this means right now.” Aidan shrugs, his usual playful demeanor seemingly serious.
“I’ve been over to help Mrs. Scott out, to check on her and I don’t think it’s a question of if they’re working it out,” he says quietly, and I arch my brow at him. “I think the decision has already been made. She loves that little girl and while I don’t think the bastard deserves it at all, I’m pretty sure she still loves him too.”
I can’t say I’m surprised. I had gotten the impression that it was a strong possibility that Mrs. Scott would forgive Mr. Scott. They have been together for so long that this blip or super large pothole is just a bump in the road. I saw the way she looked at him before all of this happened, and while I’m not sure I could ever forgive Chris for something like that, I can’t blame her for doing it. But taking care of the child he created outside of our marriage—that, I don’t think I’d ever be mature enough to do. Whatever she decides isn’t any of my business, but it does change things about keeping secrets from Chris.
“But it’s up to you. I won’t say anything, and if anyone tells him, it should be you or Mrs. Red,” he says as if his mind is made up. That makes things easier and harder at once.
“Well, I guess you should actually take a look in the closet, so I’m not a liar,” I tease him. I open the closet doors and he whistles.
“My whole room could fit in here,” he playfully exaggerates his tone as he shuffles through the closet.
“Have you talked to her?” I ask him unable to contain my curiosity. Well, it’s not just curiosity. I can’t help but wonder about her—we were friends once, we spent a lot of time together while I was in Michigan, and she was my confidante and cheerleader at one point in my life. Aidan’s body becomes visibly rigid.