My heart sinks. Heat floods my face, and I glance away, relieved they can’t see under the dim street lamp. Who am I kidding? My father hasbarelytolerated my participation in the lighthouse project. I get the sense that, no matter how hard Aidan might push for it, this will be my last project.
Besides, I can’t imagine Dad voluntarily taking on something like a firehouse or carriage house. He only took on the lighthouse as a favor to an old friend. Then he forced it onto Aidan. I should warn Violet that she’s wasting her time, but the thought of revealing to her who my father is makes me uncomfortable. What if it changes how she sees me?
As we walk, something else tugs at me, a ridiculous idea I can barely entertain. I could create plans for the carriage house on my own. It’s exactly the sort of out-of-the-box project that would inspire me, that I think I’d be good at.
But I don’t have the formal qualifications. I’ve only come this far with Aidan mentoring me and picking up the parts I can’t handle, like Revit. Without him—without the firm—it’s a no-go.
And even if in some parallel universe Daddidtake on the project anddidallow me to work on it, how long can Aidan and I keep this up? Me half-assing it as his assistant while I play at architect. How long can he tell himself he doesn’t mind missing out on his partnership to be with me? More to the point, how can we ever become anything more than stolen moments if wehave to keep our relationship hidden from everyone? From my father?
I heave out a defeated breath, shoving the thoughts away as we continue on. Finally, we reach a Mediterranean restaurant on Montague Street and settle at a table near a crackling fireplace.
“Iris,” Poppy murmurs, eying me over our menus. “Are you okay? You’ve gone super quiet.”
I glance around the table, nodding quickly. “I’m fine.”
Daisy sets her menu down, a divot of concern forming between her dark brows. “You’re not. What’s going on?” When I don’t respond, she softens. “No small talk, remember?”
I chuff a quiet laugh. I can’t believe she remembers that.
“Okay,” I murmur at last, pausing as we order. I won’t talk about Violet and the firm, but I will share about Aidan. About the feeling that’s gnawing at me.
“Has something happened with…” Violet begins, trailing off.
“Aidan,” I say. “And… yes.”
Poppy’s eyes light. “Ooh!”
The three of them lean in closer, and gratitude warms my chest. That I’m here with these women and have their support.
I take a deep breath. “We, um…” How do I put it? I think of Aidan on my doorstep Monday night, telling Eric he’s my boyfriend, and smile. “We’re together.”
Poppy grins. “That’s great!”
I give a half-hearted nod. She’s right. Itisgreat. So why do I feel so uneasy?
Daisy studies me. “The situation with your dad makes it complicated, though, right?”
“Yeah.” I let my gaze wander the restaurant, trying to put my feelings into words. “Aidan is up for partnership at the firm, and I don’t see how he can get that if he’s with me.”
Poppy nods slowly. “Does your dad know about you two?”
“No, but…” I rub my nose in frustration. “It feels like we basically have two options. Either we tell my father about us, and Aidan loses out on the partnership, as well as possibly destroying his career altogether…” My gut seesaws at the thought. “Or we never reveal our relationship, in which case, it can’t become permanent.”
“Shit.” Violet scrunches her face. “Yeah, those options suck.”
I nod in agreement. The waitress delivers our drinks, and I pounce on my gin and tonic, taking a deep sip.
“I don’t know,” Daisy murmurs, looking at her friends. “We’ve all been in similar situations and figured things out, right?”
“And it’s not always that black and white,” Poppy adds. “It might seem that way now, that you can only be together if someone gets hurt or loses something, but there’s usually a way to work these issues out.”
Violet nods. “We’re living proof.”
I absorb this, mentally considering other options. I guess I could quit the firm. My father would probably be relieved, but I still need money, and when I think about returning to one of the many meaningless jobs I’ve had before, my heart wilts. I wasn’t hired as an architect, but this is the first time I’ve felt I’m contributing something worthwhile in my work.
Still, I’d give it up for Aidan in a heartbeat. But would that fix anything? Dad will never approve of Aidan and me regardless, and if I’m not at the firm, there’s only one person left for him to take that out on: Aidan.
Poppy leans across the table. “I think the question is, do youwantsomething long-lasting with him?”
