IRIS
Aidan’s lips land on mine, and my heart launches into my throat. I go rigid, brain spinning out in a hundred directions as I try to process what’s happening.
But then his fingers slide into my hair, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss, and my brain stops working as my body takes over.
I let my hands land on his chest, where I can feel his heart thundering. Something about the feel of his heartbeat under my palm makes my pulse skyrocket, and I lean into the kiss, parting my lips to let him in. I half expect him to come to his senses and stop, but his tongue sweeps hungrily into my mouth, possessing, claiming, making my knees shake. Heat streaks through me, and I arch into him, desperate for more.
Then, just when I feel as if I could die happily in this moment, it’s over.
When he draws back, he looks as stunned as I feel. We stare at each other for a beat, breathing hard, until Savannah clears her throat loudly.
Dammit, I’d forgotten they were here.
Aidan had too, apparently, but his eyes clear at the reminder, and he leans into my ear, whispering, “Play along.”
“So, you two are…” Savannah gestures vaguely to us, face scrunched in disbelief, and Aidan slides an arm around my waist.
“Yup,” he says, pressing his lips to my temple. “Lucky me, huh?”
Savannah’s eyebrows climb to the ceiling. Beside her, Kendall gives me a small smile. I always thought she was nicer than Savannah, but that doesn’t excuse her never standing up to her, letting her push both of us around.
Aidan leans back to run his eyes over me from head to toe. “God, you’re gorgeous. You want that dress, baby?” he asks, gazing at me adoringly.
“I, uh…” Shit, I can’t even think. Is this what it would feel like to be Aidan’s girlfriend?
“Yeah, you do.” A seductive smile slants his lips. “And I’m getting it for you.”
The fog in my brain clears enough for me to answer. I have no intention of letting him buy the dress for me. It’s a nice offer, but I don’t want to complicate things.
Or maybe I just don’t want to confuse my poor heart.
My chest aches as I gaze up at Aidan, pretending to be my boyfriend so I don’t feel foolish in front of the women who used to torment me in high school. But Idofeel foolish, because I don’t want it to be pretend.
I want it to be real.
“You’re not paying for it,” I tell him firmly, but he gives a playful roll of his eyes, glancing at the others.
“She’s so stubborn,” he says, squeezing me affectionately. “I want to buy her the entire store, and she won’t let me.”
Then he steps directly in front of me, gazing at me with warmth in his eyes, and he doesn’t have to do this because theothers can’t even see with his back turned, but he strokes my cheek, gently brushing his lips to mine. It’s so soft, sotender, that I can’t tell if he’s pretending anymore.
“I’m buying it for you,” he murmurs. “End of story.”
I would protest more—Ishould—but it’s impossible with the way he’s gazing at me. With the way my breath is so shallow, trapped in my lungs.
“Okay,” I whisper, and slip back into the fitting room, heart racing. I try to ignore the trembling in my hands as I change back into my usual clothes, wondering if he’ll kiss me again when I step back out.
God, I wish he would. Even if it’s only pretend.
Savannah and Kendall approach the fitting rooms as I exit, their arms laden with clothes.
“It wassogood seeing you,” Savannah says in a syrupy tone, slipping behind the fitting room curtain.
“You too,” I mutter, not meaning a word.
I place the pile of blouses and the dress on the counter with a sigh. Aidan glances up as I do, his brow lining with concern.
“You okay?” he mouths, and I give a shaky nod. I don’t feel okay, but I can’t tell if it’s because of Savannah or because of the way Aidan kissed me.
