Page 43 of Beneath the Quiet

“You have a fantastic family, Aidan.”

I chance another glance at him and breathe a tiny sigh of relief to find the intensity has disappeared from his eyes. Katie’s burst of giggles pulls my attention back to her, tugging at me like a tide. It’s impossible not to bask in whatever has her so blissfully happy.

Aidan follows my gaze, and his mouth lifts into a full, easy smile.

“I know. I’m very lucky.”

The urge to ask why he’s single barrels through me so hard it almost knocks me forward. I jerk back towards the kitchen counter instead, hoping the movement will keep the question from leaping off my tongue.

“You are,” I whisper, my voice so low that I wonder if he can even hear the words.

I feel the brush of his hand as he reaches for me, and my pulse spikes when his lips come dangerously close to a wayward curl of my hair.

“Where’s your family, Maeve?”

I close my eyes briefly. “I don’t have any. I grew up in foster care, and before you ask,” I raise my hand in the universal stop sign, “No, it wasn’t horrible, and no, I’m not damaged.”

“You get asked those two questions a lot?”

I peek up at him, my shoulders tensing, but when I only find genuine interest in his steady gaze, the nerves settle down.

“Yes.” I close the lid on the container. “It’s not that I mind people asking, but I wish that most weren’t prejudiced. The foster system isn’t great, but it’s better than homes or nothing at all.”

“Did you stay with the same family?”

I clasp my hands together, resisting the urge to fidget. “Yes. From when I was ten until I turned eighteen and became a legal adult. Then I moved out and was on my own.”

His gaze darkens. “At eighteen years old, you were told to leave?”

“Not told, no. But when you get old enough to vote, you’re an adult, legally speaking.” I shrug. “I left so Nellie and Jack could help more children. I still keep in touch with them.”

He clenches his jaw, and I reach out a hand to touch him, but then think better of it.

“I grew up quickly.” My mobile vibrates in my back pocket, and I reach for it. “I’m sorry, but technically, I’m on duty.”

“It’s fine.”

I swipe the screen and wince.

NEW BBF: Are you having dinner with Aidan?! Is there something you aren’t telling me? 😉

Roísin’s text is like a bucket of ice-cold water straight at my face. It reminds me what my being here with Aidan must look like to the villagers, and the last thing I need is for the rumour mill to start.

“I have to go. Thank you for dinner.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yes, absolutely. I…I just need to get going.” I take a step closer and reach up to touch my cheek to his. Even though it’s only for a short moment, it’s enough to send butterflies through my tummy. His sharp intake of breath makes my toes curl, but before I get carried away by the moment, I step away from him.

“Goodnight.”

All I can think about is the realistic dream from last night, and that tells me I need to get home right away. The need to escape this tempting man consumes me, but since Nellie taught me good manners, I turn to Aidan’s family to say my goodbyes.

“Thank you for tonight. I’ll see you around.”

Rosie wipes her hands and rises from her chair.

“Are you okay, love?”