“Yeah, he always picked the yellow ones.”
“Then he’s definitely surrounded by yellow flowers,” I agreed.
“And sunlight, no more darkness,” he added.
“Of course.”
I was glad he couldn’t see me at that moment, because tears had gathered in my eyes and I had no way of removing them with my arms holding him close.
“Where am I?” Aiden asked, joining me on the grass.
This dream was different from the one I shared with Derek, at least here it wasn’t pitch black, but still dark out like it was nighttime. I sat in some sort of forest, the moon highlightingenough for me to see shapes and make out Aiden’s features beside me.
“In our dream,” I replied, knowing that had to be the only conclusion.
“Huh,” he said, creeping closer to my side. “Where’s Derek?”
Surprised, I blurted, “You remember Derek?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“Um, I thought that maybe the shock had made you forget him somehow.”
I hated that I couldn’t make out his expression because his silence was killing me.
He finally spoke, “I remember everything, Nolen.”
“Everything?”
“Yeah.”
“Your childhood?”
“Everything… Good and bad,” he whispered.
“And about me?” I dared ask.
I could hear the humor in his voice when he replied, “How could I forget the handsome stranger I kissed on the street?”
I bumped his shoulder. “Is that all you remember of me?”
“No,” he laughed. “I remember vividly how you claimed me as your mate, too.”
“Good,” I said, placing my arm around his shoulders, loving that I finally had some time with him like this, even if it was only a dream, it was still real.
“You never answered my question,” he reminded me. “Where’s Derek?”
I shrugged, knowing he couldfeel it and not see it. “These dream things work out how they want to. Sometimes I’m with him and others I’m not.”
“And now I’m here,” he whispered.
“Exactly,” I confirmed. “Maybe my magic chooses who I’m connecting with? Maybe it’s random? But whatever it is, I’m glad to spend time with both of you.”
“To be honest, I feel like I’m playing catch up,” he admitted. “I remember being asleep but still hearing you two, it soothed me. But you and Derek already know each other, and here I am, just now joining you.”
“And you feel like you don’t fit yet?” I suggested.
“Kind of, I mean, I feel like I belong with you and all of this makes sense somehow, but I’m not close to Derek anymore, not like it was before we were torn apart. And you and I only just met.”
