“I think you’ll be okay. You have a what...ninety-seven in that class?” I stifle a laugh.
She groans. “I wanted a perfect one hundred. That essay is thirty percent of our grade! She’s just angry her husband left her last year. I mean, why make us write that for a final if you’re scorned and don’t want to hear about love?” She places the laptop on the table beside the book Aiden was reading yesterday.
I take a seat on the couch, smiling in surprise when I see the title.
“Aiden reads classic novels?” I eye the bent and tattered copy of The Merchant of Venice.
“Yeah, it’s weird right?” She laughs while gesturing to the book. “He’s always been a reader. When he came to visit when I was younger, he would read instead of playing with the neighborhood kids. I always wondered why he went down the corporate road, you would have thought he’d be a writer with the amount of time he spends with his face buried in a book.”
“Corporate? Aiden?” I ask, astounded.
“I know. With the tattoos, it seems odd, right?” She pulls her thick hair through a scrunchie and leans back on our couch. “He went to Stanford and got his bachelor’s in finance,” She announces proudly.
I nearly choke on air before I compose myself. “Wow, that’s amazing! Does your dad have money like that?”
I know Ashley is on a scholarship, as her mom doesn’t have a ton of money. She has no contact with her dad, but it seems like Aiden does. I remember her saying she originally wanted to go south for school. I’m glad she decided against it or we would have never crossed paths.
She lets out a loud laugh. “No way. Even if he did, there’s no way Aiden would want shit from him. Aiden is completely self-made. He got a full ride for his academics in high school.” She beams.
I understand why she’s proud. That’s a huge accomplishment at twenty-five. I ponder this for a second; a full ride to Stanford. He must be insanely smart. I try to tamper down my attraction and nerves, knowing he has brains to go with his brawns. Could he be any more perfect?
“He told me about how his classmates glared at him for a few weeks when he started.” She laughs, waving her hand absentmindedly. “I mean a guy who looks like Aiden, covered in tattoos, has to be quite the unusual student at a school like that. But his brilliance showed through, and the students there quickly realized it I’m guessing. He made some really great friends there. I know he was sad to graduate but he’s ready to start his life in Portland.”
It’s scary how Ashley can read my thoughts.
“Why Portland?” I rest my elbows on my knees, listening intently.
“That’s what he’s doing today. He intern-ed before college, making investments for high up businessmen. He’s so good at what he does, he made his own investments early. He owns some properties there, which is why he wants to move there.”
“He’s also leasing a floor of a high rise, so he has somewhere to meet with his bigger investors. Some of them can be... intimidating.” She looks at me uneasily. “Others are your normal run of the mill rich men. He’s going to check out his new office and see about his lease on the apartment. That’s why he’s staying here for a while, so they can get it finished.” She concludes with another proud smile.
I straighten. “What do you mean by intimidating?”
“I don’t know how to explain it. Almost like the Mafia is what I would guess. Aiden can handle himself, so he takes those clients when no one else will. I don’t know much about it, but I would stay away from his work if I were you.” She laughs humorlessly.
“What does he do though, like his title?”
“He’s a private investor. I’m not really sure what it entails. You have to remember we don’t talk all that much. But from what I know, he’s great with numbers. I believe he purchases investments for CEOs and things like that?” She questions herself.
“Good for him! That’s awesome, he’s already got a job that quick. I hope when I graduate, I can find somewhere I fit in.” I hide my internal frown with an outward smile. Everyone has their lives figured out.
My current major is the opposite of what I want to do. My dream is to become a pastry chef. I would love to be able to go to a culinary school. While OSU offers a wonderful culinary program, I have to be realistic about it. My mom works so hard to pay for my schooling. I don’t want to graduate and have nowhere to go career wise. I’m taking the safe route in life, but what else could I do?
Ashley’s words surprise me.
“He didn’t get a job, he owns the company.” She smiles. “Don’t stress. He’s older than us. We’re only freshman, you have plenty of time to plan your life.” She reassures.
“Why did he just graduate if he’s twenty-five?”
“Well, after high school, he took a three-year internship before starting at Stanford. That’s how he got his money and started his business.”
I raise my brow. “Did he always know he wanted to do this?”
“You’re curious about him, aren’t you?” She examines me shrewdly.
“No. no. I mean, maybe?”
She throws her hands up. “Look, truly, if you want to go after him, I don’t care. It’s not like we are in high school, you’re both adults.”
A laugh escapes my lips. “Yeah, I don’t think that’ll be a problem. He’s nice to me, but I don’t think he is interested.” I dismiss her thoughts. “Plus, the whole Ian thing.” I shudder from the humiliation I received at his hand.
“Oh, fuck Ian,” She bellows. “As for Aiden, I wouldn’t be so sure that he’s not interested.”
I blush. “I mean, he’s just a nice guy.”
She scoffs. “To you, he is. You barely left your room all week. I had to tell him multiple times not to bother you. He’s been asking about you non-stop. Every other friend of mine that he’s met, he has ignored with obvious annoyance.” She smiles teasingly. “Plus, you need someone to take your mind off of that preppy douchebag.”
Armed with a pillow, I let out a war-cry and hit her with it. A fight quickly ensues as Ashley grabs two throws from the couch and hurls them at me. Laughter booms throughout the living room and soon, we crumble in a fit of giggles onto the couch. My legs are thrown up over the back of the couch while my back rests on the bottom cushions.
A deep cough interrupts our childish fight and we snap towards the sound.
My jaw involuntarily drops as I take in the sight of Aiden leaning against the door frame. His black hair is slicked back perfectly. His emerald eyes look deeper than usual. He exudes a serious vibe, which matches his attire. A black suit with a black dress shirt underneath. His tattoos are barely visible, but I see one peeking through as he undoes his cuffs.
I force my jaw shut and swallow hard. My eyes travel to his face, where his eyes burn into mine. That’s when I realize I’m just in my panties and a tank top. I flip my body around quickly and search for a blanket. I grab the one Aiden used the night before and cover myself, trying to ignore the delicious scent it’s laced with. Subconsciously, I take a deep breath. Leather and mint.
“Hey girls.” He greets in a stern tone, but his teasing smile creeps up, softening his rough edges.