Like he’d been thinking about her.
Wondering about her.
Like he’d even given her a second’s thought at some point since he’d left town.
But she knew he hadn’t.
She’d accepted that a long time ago.I’ve moved on. You should, too.
His eyes were the most startling shade of blue, like ice and some kind of sparkly gemstone. She’d loved staring at them back then, but now, they filled her with a sort of rage, becausewhyshould someone be this hot, as well as so insanely talented? It really wasn’t fair. From that chiselled jawline to granite-esque cheekbones, symmetrical features and just ridiculously buff body, he was an insult to the entire concept of ‘it’s what’s inside that matters’. Because his outside mattered. It really, really mattered, even when she wished on every star in heaven that it didn’t.
He stepped out of the cart with easy athleticism – hardly surprising, given his profession as one of the highest-paid hockey players in the league – and began to saunter (yes, literally saunter, becauseof coursehe sauntered) towards their group. Astrid and Blake were hugging like they hadn’t seen one another in years, rather than a week, Blake’s hand on Astrid’s gently rounded stomach. They were a family, Sienna thought, something popping in the region of her heart.
‘Aiden Carter,’ Aiden said, extending a hand towards Bella and Chase. Sienna felt her friend stiffen in an A-grade loyalty response before she dropped her grip on Sienna’s arm and, after a slight hesitation, took Aiden’s hand.
‘Bella Carmichael and Chase Miller.’ Her tone was delightfully crisp; Sienna wasn’t sure she’d ever loved her more.
Aiden nodded once, then moved onto Paige, who was eyeing him like something that had just slithered out from under a rock. Bless her. So much for keeping emotion off their faces.
Paige seemed to remember her mission at the last minute. ‘Paige,’ she said, not willing to offer a last name, apparently. ‘And Olly.’ She waved towards her boyfriend.
‘Pleasure,’ Aiden said with a nod. Sienna could have sworn she heard Paige grunt.
A moment later, he was toe to toe with Sienna, and she couldn’t put it off any longer. Her stomach squeezed and swirled.
‘Hey, stranger,’ he said, his voice a note lower, a little drawled and husky.
Flirty.
How fucking dare he? The nausea seemed to throb right in her throat, so she tasted acid and felt the walls of her tummy heave.
She tried to keep a grip on her temper – because wasn’t the whole point of this to make him flirt with her? To make him want her, then trample all over his ego, and maybe even a little piece of his heart, just as he’d done with her? As tempted as she might be to tear strips off him then and there, or give him a frigidly cold shoulder, that wasnotwhat they’d decided Sienna would do. Besides, she’d sworn her past with Aiden wouldn’t ruin this moment – Astrid’s wedding. That’s what they were here for. That’s what mattered most.
‘Aiden,’ she said, her voice carefully controlled, not showing any of the darker feelings that were making her pulse thunder. ‘Long time, no see.’
He dragged a hand through his hair, revealing a hint of tanned waist where his dark grey shirt lifted.
She blinked away quickly.
‘Yeah, jeez. How long’s it been?’
It was like a slug in the guts.
How long’s it been?
So casual. Like he barely even remembered. Unconsciously, she pressed a hand to her stomach. Remembering what it had been like to know their baby was in there. To feel that life as a part of her. The absence was something she’d never quite got over.
How long’s it been?
Her insides twisted uncomfortably – she felt as though she were still rocking on that damn boat.
‘God, I don’t know.’ She forced a laugh with the lie, suddenly hoping she didn’t vomit. ‘It feels like a lifetime ago.’
He nodded slowly. ‘And now you’re here,’ he said, a small frown tugging on his lips.
‘Of course Sissi is here.’ Astrid had separated herself from Blake long enough to catch the last exchange of dialogue. ‘She’s only one of my best friends.’
‘Yeah, so Blake said.’ Aiden looked quizzical. As though he still didn’t quite understand how this woman from his past had wound up solidly in his present, even when Sienna knew that Astrid and Blake had given him a slightly adjusted version of the truth.
