My fingers tighten around my phone, and I can feel the corner of my mouth twitching upward. Warmth spreads through my belly as I just stare at the message. Why the hell does he have to be like this? Why can’t he be an asshole like most guys these days?
Sure, he’s cocky and confident, and it can get annoying, but still he’snice.
I know how to defend myself from arrogance, but I don’t know what to do with this, and it’s unnerving.
“You’ve been cheerful today,” Aiden comments as he leans against the counter, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Any exciting plans?”
Locking my phone, I put it down and look up at him. Lately, a lot of our shifts have lined up, and it’s nice to have a familiar face to work with. Somebody who actually isn’t afraid to pick up the slack and doesn’t bitch the whole time.
“I’m going out tonight. You?”
Aiden’s brows rise. “With Mae?”
“Ummm…” I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear, my gaze dropping down to my phone just as my screen lights up with an incoming text.
Matthew:
I don’t mind picking you up.
Aiden sees it too, his expression turning serious. “It’s that cop guy?”
Color rises up my cheeks as I lift my head. “What?”
“Your ‘friend’?” Aiden makes air quotes, and our previous conversation comes back to me. “The one helping you with Damien?”
Shit, why did I tell him?
The words just came out of my mouth when he offered to do it, but now I wonder if it was a bad idea after all.
“We’re just friends hanging out,” I say defensively, trying to play it off.
Aiden lifts his hands in the air. “I’m just trying to look after you. You two looked cozy, and Eva said she asked around about him, and apparently, he’s a player. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“And since when do we trust Eva?” I bite out, feeling the annoyance rise inside of me. Annoyance and something that feels a lot like jealousy.
The moment the word pops into my mind, I brush it off. I’m not jealous. Merely… irritated. That’s all. Just like I would be if any other person came to the ER looking for help, but instead of offering it like we should, she was giving them googly eyes and batting her eyelashes, looking for attention.
Nothing else.
Aiden chuckles softly. “I guess you’re right about that one.”
“God, I hate that woman. She drives me crazy with her unprofessional behavior. What are the chances she might leave? She hates it here.”
Aiden shrugs. “Not good, I’m afraid.”
Sighing, I turn back to my computer. “Lovely.”
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” My words come out as ragged pants as I sit down next to Matthew on the blanket. The area is dim, the movie already playing on the screen the town has put up. “I got sidetracked and then parking was a nightmare?—”
Matthew presses his finger against my lips, effectively shushing me. The corner of his mouth lifting in amusement. “It’s fine.”
I inhale a long breath at his touch and hold it in for a moment.
Matthew chuckles softly. “Breathe.”
I let out a shaky breath, his eyes turning darker as he stares at me. Once again, we’re close. Too close. His callused finger still presses against my lips, rubbing softly against my flesh and sending tingles coursing under my skin.
“You don’t have to apologize.”
