I feel sick for another reason, and to my surprise, tears prick my eyes.
I feel sick because I have to leave the idea of dating him behind.
For good.
Chapter Six
I’ve just latched my seat belt when my phone buzzes inside the cup holder, where I’ve just put it down. I reach for it, and my heart stops when I see I have a message from Aiden:
Text me when you get home? I need to know that you got home okay.
Is the man trying to make me cry even more?
I glance up and see Aiden staring at me from his place near the door, and it makes my heart ache inside my chest. I text him back that I will and then put my phone back in the cup holder. I drive off, not looking at Aiden again, because the expression in his eyes haunts me.
Aiden is the perfect man for me. He’s the only man I want. He’s just exceptional, in every way.
Yet he can never ever be mine. Aiden can’t even be mine for a single date.
I blink away the tears and try to pretend my chest isn’t heavy. I try to focus on the pop song on my playlist, but instead of singing the words, I find myself thinking of the irony of my situation. I finally meet a man who I have great chemistry with, who can engage in conversation, and who wanted to simply get to know me over coffee—but he plays hockey for my dad.
And Aiden flat out said he would never date the coach’s daughter.
My thoughts stay looped in this track all the way back to my apartment. I head straight back to my bedroom, where I find Mochi and Matcha waiting for me. Chinchillas are nocturnal animals, and you would think having their cage in my room would be distracting when trying to sleep, but it’s not. Probably because I am a heavy sleeper, and once I’m out, I’m out. Mochi and Matcha can party all night long, and I’m none the wiser.
I’m going to be up thinking for a while this evening, so I let them out of their condo. Mochi comes right up and sits on my leg, and I stroke his silky fur. Matcha goes about the room, enjoying his free-roaming time. I pick up my phone and tap on the last message from Aiden so I can send him a reply:
I’m home! Thank you again for coffee. I really enjoyed hanging out with you tonight.
There. That’s fine for a friend to say, right?
I go back to stroking Mochi for a few minutes before he jumps down off my leg. I’m watching them play when my phone buzzes again. My stupid heart leaps when I see Aiden has messaged me back:
I’m home, too. Are you going to be up for a while?
I text him back:
Yep. I’m up with my chinchillas right now.
Aiden Wentworth is typing …
Can I call you? After I take Milo out?
I bite my lip. GAH, this is dangerous. I should say no and protect my heart from getting anymore entangled than it already is.
But we’ve decided to be friends. Friends talk to each other on the phone or do Connectivity Video Connects.
UGH, I am so full of crap right now.
I ignore that fact, as I obviously love playing with fire when it comes to Aiden, and respond:
Yes. I’ll change and wash my face while you walk Milo and then we can talk. Do you want to do a call or Connectivity Video Connect?
Aiden Wentworth is typing …
Video. Then you can show me your chinchillas.
Okay, the fact that this gorgeous, sexy man wants to see my chinchillas melts my heart.
