Page 53 of Falling With You

That had to count for something. Seeing Aiden’s name and smiling instinctively?

Maybe I was on the right path.

Aiden:Just checking in.

Me:Just got home. Fighting my cats for my sushi.

Aiden:Sounds like life or death.

Aiden:Crap. Didn’t mean to say it like that.

It was weird to think how many times all of us used sayings like that, about death and killing and all those little things that meant so much more. But the fact that we were all aware of it in our vernacular had to count for something.

“Just breathe,” I whispered to myself.

Me:It’s fine. Seriously. Really. But you should probably know I was at therapy today.

See? Just rip off that Band-Aid.

Aiden:You okay?

I smiled. Damn it. It was going to be hard holding back from this man and protecting my heart. The thing was, I didn’t think I had a choice.

Me:I will be. Hence the therapy.

There was a moment when I just saw those little bubbles moving, and I wondered what he was going to say.

Aiden:I’m here if you ever want to talk. I know you didn’t before, at least not to me, so I’m glad you’re talking to someone. I’m not great with words, I’m really not great with texting, but I can be here. Diego too. And I want to try out that dating thing again. I think it’s time we tried this right. Without drunk dude-bros.

I traced his words with my fingers. Did I want more? Did I want to risk everything?

I kind of already was.

And that was the problem.

Because we were already moving down this path. And I didn’t think there was any turning back.

Me:I think a date would be nice. You’re working all evening?

Aiden:Yeah, just in the stockroom. You should come in tonight.

Me:The stockroom you say?

Aiden:Yeah, every time I’m in here, I think of your lips. Got to be a good thing.

I grinned. Oh, sexy talk with Aiden over the phone? In a text? This was new.

Me:Well, if I get to come down tonight, I might have to visit you in the stockroom.

Aiden:And now I’m hard. Thanks.

I grinned.

Me:And my work here is done. Be safe with all those knives. Take care of that hand. And I’ll try to see you later.

Aiden:You suck, short stack. See you soon.

I grinned as I set down the phone and shooed all the cats away from my food.