Page 61 of Keep Me Close
But soon, she emerges from the rear of the condo, sleepy smile in place as she sits next to me. “So.”
“So.”
“We’ve both said our apologies, and—"
“Not me. Not enough. Aria…” I search for the words. “If I could go back in time and tell you my real name, I would. I am so fucking sorry I misled you back then.”
She only shakes her head. “Apology accepted, but honestly, we were two idiot kids having a good time. I was angry for a long time about it, and maybe a part of me still is, but I’m putting all of that behind me. You’re here now. As long as you stay here now, we’re good. Okay?”
“Okay.” That felt shitty and too easy somehow. “Really?”
She chuckles. “Yes, really. I’ve been going over everything in my head way too many times, and the truth is, just that. I cannot imagine what your parents would have done to ensure your college education. If they’d found out about your plans, they would have stopped them. So, you were paranoid and lied. I get it.”
It takes me a moment to gather my thoughts. It’s damn near impossible. Being this close to Aria after such an emotional night, I’m under a fog of lust and questions about what might have been. “You have done an amazing job with our son, Aria. I’m sorry it’s all been on you for these years, but I will be here for both of you from now on.”
Whatever stress held her face together crumbles, and she fights a sniffle. Her voice cracks. “You really think I’ve done okay?”
“No. I believe I said amazing.”
She smiles. “Thank you for that.”
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28
Aria
I don’t know if it’s a mom thing, but hearing the father of your child say that you’ve done an amazing job raising your son works like magic on me. All these years, I’ve wondered if he’d be happy with how Owen is turning out. Sure, I’ve fed and clothed and housed and done all the things that you have to do for a child. But that doesn’t mean everyone would be happy with how he is. Or who he is. Hearing it out of Everett’s mouth unkinked something in me that’s been tight since I learned I was pregnant.
Like I’ve been waiting to take a full breath for almost six years.
He murmurs, “He can’t hear us from here, right?”
“No. His room is further back than mine. Why?”
“Just checking. Never know with condos. I wanted to be able to speak without using codes, and I realized I could have slipped up a minute ago.”
“Oh.” I chuckle and shake my head. “No, we’re safe out here.”
“Good. I wanted to ask you something.”
“Okay.”
“Since we aren’t doing the deceptive thing with each other anymore, I was hoping you’d give me a straight answer.”
I frown. “Pretty sure I’ve always been straight with you, Everett. Well, I mean, keeping Owen from you aside.”
“Are you seeing anyone?”
My throat goes dry. Why is my throat dry? I take a sip of my cocoa. “No. Are you?”
He chuckles. “No.”
“No fire bunnies or whatever they call firefighter groupies?”
He laughs hard. “Bunkerbunnies, and no. None of them for me, thanks. I’ve seen it with a few people—my usual partner Miranda had a few she left in her wake, and it got ugly fast, so I learned my lesson not to mess around with them.”
Who the hell is Miranda?“Partner? I thought you said you’re not seeing anyone.”