AllFreeNovel
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“Someone’s been busy,” Aiden says, sauntering into the kitchen in a fresh pair of black joggers and a gray short-sleeve Henley shirt, not even ten minutes later. “It smells delicious. What is it?”
“Pasta Bolognese. Your fav—”
I slam my mouth closed, recognizing my near-fatal error. Of course, I know what Aiden’s favorite food is. It was something he told me long ago. But he hasn’t told Cassidy. That slip could’ve cost me greatly.
“It’s one of my favorites,” I amend. “I hope you like it. I should’ve asked before.”
He blinks, narrows his eyes, purses his lips, and for a moment, I hold my breath. Did he catch my blunder? Is he working it out?
“I haven’t had pasta Bolognese in a long time,” he says, eyes zeroing in on me.
I squirm under his gaze, wondering what he’s thinking. What’s to come? Will he throw me out or welcome me with open arms?
I shrug, trying to play it nonchalantly. “It’s quick and easy. I’ve been so busy today, I had to choose something fast.”
He nods and looks away. I breathe for the first time in minutes, shoulders slouching when his back is turned.
“How long until it’s ready?”
“Now. If you want to take a seat, I’ll put some on a plate for you,” I say, moving toward the stove where I have the piping hot pasta waiting.
I measure out three cups and cut a piece of garlic bread into the perfect square, just the way he’ll want it. When I set the plate down, I watch him closely. He takes his first bite, and I relish at the way his eyes close around a moan. I can’t stop the wide smile spreading across my face.
“This is incredible. I knew you could cook, but this is something else.”
“I learned early on,” I admit. “I spent most of my life cooking.”
“You’ve clearly mastered cooking. It’s so good,” he says, and I blush under his compliment.
“That comes with a lot of hard work,” I say, chuckling.
He takes a bite, eyes never straying from me. “Tell me about yourself. Something you’re comfortable sharing with me.”
Internally, I panic. What in the hell can I possibly say that wouldn’t tip him off? He knows so much about my early years, so I decide to artfully pass over those, and go straight to the years in which he’s been absent.
“I’ve had a host of odd jobs. Mostly to save up money for grad school. I want to be a social worker.” I take a bite of pasta, trying to determine how much to say.
“Yeah, you said that before, but I have to ask, what drew you to it?”
Is there more to that question? Is he on to me?
Dear God, Cassidy. Pull your shit together.
I’m going to give it away myself by worrying. He doesn’t know who I am. If he did, there’s no way he’d have kept quiet.
Right?
“Cassidy?” Aiden says, pulling me back to him.
“Hmm?”
I just sound dumb. I try to stop my cheeks from reddening, but it’s no use. They’re on fire.
Aiden smirks. “Social work. What drew you to that?” he says, reminding me of his question.
“I want to work in child welfare or provide therapy to kids who come from abused and neglected homes.”
“Why?”
