“I think you should come,” he said again, softer this time. “Gabby needs your support.”
“Why?” I said shortly.
“Xander broke off the engagement.”
“Really?” I said, surprised, though I didn’t want to admit it. I also didn’t want to admit how happy that made me. “Why?”
“I guess it wasn’t a real engagement.” He sighed. “I think she was up to her old tricks or something.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, she’s not really pregnant. She lied and said she was having this baby and really needed support.”
“Oh? Wow.” I faked being shocked.
“Yeah, turns out, he asked her if they could break it off that first weekend.” Aiden continued talking. “He thought he’d made a mistake or something, but she told him Mom and Dad would disown her if she wasn’t engaged. And that she’d move to France or something and take the baby with her.”
“Oh, wow.” I shook my head. “That’s crazy.”
“Yeah, so, anyway, we’re all getting together this weekend to make her feel better.”
“I’m not coming. Sorry.”
“You should come, Liv. You and Alice.”
“Alice and I are not coming,” I said loudly, and I saw Alice staring at me. I knew she was wondering what we were talking about.
“Please, Liv.”
“If you want to see Alice, just pick up the phone and ask her out or something.”
“Liv,” he groaned, “I don’t want to date Alice.”
“Uh-huh. So, why do you want to see her this weekend?”
“Liv, it’s complicated.”
“Aiden, grow up. I know you like Alice, so just ask her out!” I shouted into the phone, and I saw Alice shaking her head at me.
“Liv, I saw Alice and Scott kissing,” Aiden said softly. “There is nothing between Alice and me. She already made her choice.”
“You what?” My jaw dropped. “You saw what?”
“That night we were at the club—I waited up to apologize to Alice, and as I walked to your room to say sorry, I saw her with Scott, and they were kissing.”
“Oh.” My voice was a squeak, and I could tell from the look on Alice’s face as she stood there that it was true. “I didn’t know.”
“Yeah, well, it is what it is.”
“I’m sorry, Aiden,” I said softly.
“It’s fine.” He sighed. “Maybe we can go and grab lunch soon.”
“What? You and me?”
“Yes, you and me.” He laughed. “I think we’re old enough to be friends now, don’t you think?”
“Yes, I’d like that,” I said with a smile. “I’d like that a lot.”
