Page 116 of Veiled

“Sorry, Mr. Michaels. I seem to be all sorts of clumsy tonight,” I say, but he shakes it off.

“You’re actually just who I was coming to see. Would you allow me a dance, Annalise?”

Surprised, I nod. “It would be my honor.”

“I hope you don’t take offense to this, but you looked like you needed a break, and not the kind my wife and her new friends would have been able to give you,” he says, spinning me once before we start stepping to the rhythm.

I sigh, embarrassed my personal drama is on full display, but relieved he’s giving me this small escape. He doesn’t mention it. Instead, he drifts into conversation about the most light-hearted, random things, and it feels like heaven.

Even Droopy makes his way into the conversation, and after laughing at my terrible plans to sneak him in, Mr. Michaels joins the scheming. He decides we’ll need to build a tiny home in the woods—somewhere I can live with Droopy, with no one any the wiser.

When the song comes to an end, I can’t help but hug him. “Thank you.”

He hugs me back gently and says, almost in a whisper, “I don’t know what really happened between you and your dad. But I know you’ve always been a great friend to Josh, and I’ve seen you don a mask to make everyone around you feel better. Those aren’t things bad people do.” He shakes his head. “I guess what I’m trying to say is—I’ve never been a dad, but I’d be happy to be your uncle too, if you want. And you know Susan is already in your corner.”

A single tear slips free as I nod. “I’d love that.”

Only Mrs. Michaels notices us walking back, and she beams before pulling her husband into a hug.

As I fall back into conversation with my friends, I can’t help but notice there’s no Aiden in sight.

We spend the next hour laughing, dancing, and listening to stories about my friends when they were growing up. But when yawns start to overtake the conversation, we all decide to call it a night with the plan for me to ride back to Scion with James and the guys.

We’re almost to the doors when I finally spot Aiden, casually walking toward us from gods know where.

“Ana, I can take you home,” Aiden says, after I’ve given everyone my goodbye hugs, and they move to hug everyone else.

“It’s fine, you don’t need to leave yet. James said he has room.”

“Please let me drive you. I think we should talk.”

“Lee, you riding with us still?” Antonio calls, tussling his brother's hair as they start for the door.

Looking at Aiden, I can see the pleading in his eyes. “Thanks, but it looks like I’ve got a ride after all. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

He nods, and they all head outside; Aiden and I following behind them in an uncomfortable silence. He still opens and closes my car door, but the feeling now is vastly different from how it was a few hours ago when he was going through the same motions.

The car stays silent as we pull out of the parking lot and out onto the city streets. I’m questioning why I agreed to ride with him when he finally breaks the silence.

“I don't want to lie to you about this...”

“Then don’t.”

He lets out a heavy breath, like the weight of his admission is crushing him, “Olivia and I used to be together.”

I feign shock. “You don’t say.”

He shoots me a pointed look, not missing the sarcasm, “She was someone my parents pushed on me, and we dated for a bit.”

“A bit?” I ask at his vague description.

“Just over four years.”

My laugh is not kind or lady-like. “You were going to try to pass off four years as ‘a bit’. Seriously, Aiden? When did it end?”

He pauses before answering. “A year before I came to Scion. And before you ask, I’m the one who ended things, and no, I don’t want her back.”

“And why did you lie to me?”