“You have.” He leans against the counter, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me. “Why?”
The rag stills in my hand. I can feel my pulse knocking at my throat, and I wish I could swallow it down. I don’t know why I feel like this, he already knows I care for Gabe.
I just have to tell him.
Fuck it.
“I kissed your brother,” I squeak. Jesus, I sound like a kid going through puberty. I force myself to meet his eyes. “More than once. And I’m going to do it again. I mean… if he wants.”
Holy shit, Noah. Shut the fuck up.
For a long time, he doesn’t move. Doesn’t even blink. Just stares at me. The silence stretches until my palms grow sweaty, and I regret opening my mouth. Then he drags a hand over his mouth and rubs at the scruff on his jaw. He takes two slow steps away from the counter, back again, pacing the length of it before stopping.
“I know that’s—” I hurry to speak, but he cuts me off.
“Hang on.” He rubs his hand down his face again. “I’m… processing the mental image of my best friend and my brother making out. It’s not one I asked for.”
“Fair,” I admit, fidgeting with the rag in my hands.
He blows out a breath and braces his hands against the counter, shoulders tense before they finally drop. Then he sighs, turning to lean back against the counter. “You know I’m not upset, right? I’m just surprised. I shouldn’t be. I knew you liked him. And I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
That little confession shocks me. I hold my hand up to cut him off and say, “Wait, what do you mean the way he looks at me? When? I’ve been pining away here, and you never said a thing!”
He cracks a smile. “Pining away? Dramatic much? That day he came in to invite us for lunch, he was practically drooling while watching you.”
I preen at that. I hadn’t even realized.
His smile fades, and mine goes along with it. “But honestly, I didn’t think he’d be interested in anyone after everything that happened.”
He glances down, fingers tapping absently over the edge of the counter. “The last year has been…” His jaw works. “Hard to witness. I was starting to think he’d stay in that dark place forever.”
I stay quiet because he’s not wrong. I see it in Gabe. That sadness hiding behind his eyes.
Then Aiden’s gaze lifts, and it’s like every part of me is being assessed. “But since you’ve been back, I’ve seen something shift. He’s laughing more. He’s—hell, he’s actually getting out of the shop for more than a run or groceries. That’s big.”
His voice softens. “You’re both… you’re the best people I know. If this makes you both happy, I’m glad. I couldn’t pick a better man for my brother. Just—” His gaze sharpens, pinning me in place. “Take care of him. That’s the rule. Don’t push when he can’t take it.”
My throat tightens. I could crack a joke, deflect the way I usually do, but not here. Not about this. “I won’t,” I say firmly, because it’s the truest thing I’ve got. “I know he’s been through a lot, and I’d never add to it. He’s safe with me, Aiden.”
The faintest smile appears on his face. “I know, just had to take the opportunity to flex my brother muscles. Now wipe faster so we can get the fuck out of here, and I can try to erase the mental image of you two.”
We finish cleaning at high speed, and he tosses my keys to me from the counter. “Go. Be a lovesick puppy with my brother. Give me nightmares.”
“Why are we even friends?” I mutter flatly.
He rolls his eyes. At the door, he claps a heavy hand on my shoulder—solid, brotherly.
“I mean it, Noah. I’m happy for you. I know you weren’t happy in the city, even if you never admitted it.”
My throat tightens. “What makes you say that?”
His brow lifts. “We’ve been friends most of our lives. I know you.” He turns then, and for a moment, his eyes lock with mine—so much like Gabe’s but darker. “I’m glad you’re home, and you’ve both been able to find what you need in each other. The two of you deserve that.”
The relief that washes over me is powerful. I always knew Aiden respected the kind of man I am, but to hear him say that soothes something in me.
He gives me a nod and strides out, letting the door swing shut behind him.
I swallow around the lump in my throat and step into the cool evening air.
