Instead, when we reached the ground floor, one of the last people I expected to see was standing there.
Bain.
“I’m so sorry, love,” Evan said quietly. “I thought you knew. It was your—”
“My idea he use the condo here,” I agreed, nodding my head. “I just didn’t know he’d done it.” I shook off my shock and smiled at Bain. “I hadn’t known you’d done it.”
“Sorry,” he mumbled, looking a bit like he thought he was going to get swatted or something. He stepped aside and let us off. It was so horribly awkward I wasn’t even going to say goodbye, but then he was in front of me. “Can we talk? I’m really glad you’re here and—”
No. No, not another one.
I slapped on a smile. “Sorry, no, I’m just doing this real quick and then I have business and people waiting on me.”
“Right, right.” He bobbed his head. “Can we talk later?”
I gave a half shrug. “You have my number. Hope you’ve settled in well and things are going good.” Then I walked off with Mudbug.
“A bit cold, love,” Evan hedged when we were outside.
I swallowed down something nasty that I wanted to say and then sighed. “The one thing Dylan did that upset me the most and was a clear sign—I knew I should have said something to—”
“He saw you when it was convenient or just hung around to see you,” Owen said gently. “He didn’t reach out. You just saw the same warning.”
“Yes.” I gave a half shrug. “It’s fine. Bain and I weren’t even anything. I don’t blame him at all and he’s been drowning. I wish him the best.”
I just also wished he had thought well enough of me to make the effort and reach out if he truly was thinking of me, not this “oh, while you’re in front of me” bullshit. I was worth more than that.
I had pretty shitty self-esteem at times and even I knew that.
I wasn’t just something convenient. I deserved more. And yes, Bain was a pup and going through a lot, but… He wasn’t the only one. I went to him when he was drowning and helped.
Even when I was struggling. Sure, I’d gotten the nudge, but—I’d done it.
So it pretty much said it all that he didn’t care to do the same for me.
Or I was being slightly harsh but not unjustified in how I felt.
I decided to leave it alone and ask the twins about how things were going otherwise. If they were excited for the prospects or just nervous to take this chance?
They both took the hint but also probably saw I was genuine in wanting the answers. I hoped they did because I was being genuine. I cared deeply for the twins.
I was sad it had to be quick, but we were planning to get back on track with our TV nights and more. I was glad for that too because even if I had trouble relaxing and doing yoga during was the answer, it had been fun and just what I’d needed.
We all needed.
Aidan was waiting for me when I arrived back at corporate. He looked deliciously handsome as he stood patiently off to the side and just watched the people in the lobby. Not in a badway or even like he was spying. More like people watching and thoughts drifting.
“Councilwoman, I hoped I could steal a few moments of your time,” he said when I approached him. “Very quick, but I wanted you to know in person.”
“Of course,” I accepted and led him inside, figuring my office was better. I frowned when he was tense in the elevator, but it wasn’t two minutes later we were alone. “You okay?”
“Tired,” he sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. “Very.” He nodded when I snorted. “I know you wanted quick results with your genius, but deeper long-term ones are always better.”
I held up my hand. “I appreciate you trying to spare my feelings, but it’s fine and spit it out.” I blew him a kiss when he frowned. “Everyone’s waiting for me and we need that progress.”
He nodded. “Ancients came to the council and made it clear we chose the correct side of this and to keep doing that.”
“Ancient vamps,” I checked, rubbing my neck when he did. “Sorry. Are you guys okay or—”
