“But you know you can’t, right? Please tell me you know you can’t.”
“I fucking know that, but I hate it.”
“Aiden, I trust your judgment one hundred percent, but I have to ask you a hard question.”
Aiden gritted his teeth against whatever was coming.
“You’ve known this girl, what? A week?” He didn’t wait for confirmation. “Are you sure you feel something real for her and you’re not just riding your white horse looking for a maiden to save now that Remi has flown the coop?”
Aiden closed his eyes, fighting against the knee-jerk response of telling Ben off and throwing his fucking phone into the ocean. “Yes, I’m sure,” he finally said.
“Go ahead—you can call me an asshole for asking.”
“No, it’s a fair question, even though it makes me want to rip you to shreds. But it’s not like that. She’s capable and experienced. She doesn’t need saving. She needs guiding, which I’m doing to some extent. But I’m going to fuck this up if I can’t back off, and backing off is the last thing I want to do. I want to protect her, and at the same time, I have no fucking clue what I’m doing because I’ve never been in this situation before.”
“Holy shit. I know exactly what you’re doing.”
“Then how about cluing me in?”
“You’re breaking your number one rule. You’re letting your emotions lead you.”
Aiden sighed and looked up at the sky. “Right. Fuck. That’s got to stop, but I don’t want it to.”
“Then don’t. I’ve known you for years, Aiden, and you’ve never been like this about a woman.”
“It’s only been a week. I know better.”
“You think you have control over this because you’re a control freak with every aspect of your life, but I have news for you, partner. When your heart is involved, it’s worse than when you were a teenager thinking with the head between your legs instead of the one on your shoulders. The heart is the fiercest competitor I’ve ever been up against. The best thing I ever did was take a chance and let Aurelia know how much I loved her. Now I have an amazing wife and two beautiful children, and even on the days when Bea and Christopher are cranky and driving us crazy, there’s no place else I’d rather be. Those cranky days are still the best days of our lives. So let me ask you something. How do you feel when you’re with Abby? Is your mind on work or on her?”
“I’m so damn happy with her. I never knew I wasn’t happy before, but now I see the difference. I feel the difference, and, man, I like who I am around her. I don’t feel like Remi’s protector and surrogate parent. I don’t think about work, and I don’t feel like the man with the money that everyone kowtows to. I feel like a regular guy who is totally into this amazing woman. For the first time in my life, I feel lucky, Ben. Lucky to be included in her life. No deal could ever feel better than this.”
“You’re preaching to the choir, buddy. Aurelia and our kids are everything to me.”
“Aiden!” Abby flew out the front door, beaming from ear to ear.
His heart boomed to life. “Ben, I’ve gotta—”
“I heard. Go, buddy. Be happy, and don’t fight it.”
Aiden pocketed his phone as Abby sprinted toward him, dropped the messenger bag she was carrying on the ground, and leapt into his arms. He spun her around as they kissed.
“I take it your talk with your sisters went well,” he said, setting her on her feet.
“Yes, although not at first. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d secretly called Deirdra because she gave me the same lecture you did about risking the house and the business.”
“She stands to lose a lot of money if the restaurant fails.”
“It wasn’t that. She didn’t want me to lose it, and not because of money. But because, like you, she knows how much all of this means to me. But she said this is my dream, and she’s a totally silent partner in it. That I can do as I please and she’ll support me. And I even talked to her about the house, because you were right about buying her and Cait out if I want to live here. That’s only fair. But Deirdra doesn’t want to do that, either. She said it’s money she never had, and if one day we sell the business and the house, we’ll split it all up in thirds. But for now, she said to do what I want and follow my heart.”
It sounded to him like he and Abby weren’t the only ones letting their emotions lead them. “That’s great. What about Cait?” While he didn’t believe a loan was the smartest financial decision, he was glad she and her sisters were happy with it.
“Cait,” she said with a new light in her eyes. “She’s on board with it all—the home equity loan, the window-ordering lunches and sit-down dinners, everything—the same way Deirdra is. They’re so different, though. Cait is really laid-back, but she’s smart, and she asked great questions, so I know she’s not just telling me what I want to hear. She seems excited to come back, too.”
“That’s great news, Abby.”
“Yeah, it is. I hadn’t realized that Deirdra had reached out to Cait, but apparently they’re talking or texting almost every day. I’m glad they’re becoming friends, but if I know Deirdra, she’s checking up on me through Cait.”
“Does that bother you?”
She shrugged. “Not really. It’s just weird. I’m sure she’s curious about you, and worried about how I’m handling the Bistro, but there’s never been a middleman in our relationship before. I guess I’m also a little jealous that Deirdra talks to Cait more than she talks to me right now, but I figure she and I have twenty-eight years of history, and they have a lot to catch up on.” Her smile returned, and she said, “Deirdra can be really bossy, so maybe I’m more relieved not to be interrogated by her than I am jealous. In any case, I’m glad Cait is in our lives, and I think she’s really glad to have us in hers, too.”
“Navigating new sister dynamics can’t be easy, but as time goes on, I’m sure you’ll all find your places. I’m glad you have their support. So what’s next?”
“The Sweet Barista for the only coffee that tastes good to me anymore—thanks to you—and something sugary and delicious. Then we have to go to the bank to apply for the loan. I called after talking to Cait and set up an appointment. I’m so nervous, and so glad you’re helping, and . . . I’m rambling again. I’m also being pushy and assuming you are going with me to the bank. Do you want to take the day and go do something alone? Something fun? I can handle this myself.”
He loved the way she bubbled over with excitement. “Are you trying to get rid of me, beautiful?”
“Hardly. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to come with me. No expectations.”
“Oh no?” He was unable to resist teasing her, because he liked her pushy, presumptuous side, and said, “I’ll drop you off and head to the resort to check in with my office and get some work done.”
“You will do no such thing. Don’t make me tell Remi.” She picked up her messenger bag, grabbed his hand, and dragged him toward the car.