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“You were right,” I say, readying my spoon with another bite. “That’s ruined all other ice cream for me.”
I look up from my food as I take my second bite, icy deliciousness melting on my tongue, to find Aidan staring at me. He dips his spoon into the ice cream melting on top of his waffle, gaze locked on mine.
“I'll bring you here every damn day if ice cream makes you this happy,” Aidan says.
I giggle, but his expression is deadly serious, and my humor dissolves with the sparks of heat that burst through me. There's no way this man is this perfect. It's not possible. Kind, gorgeous, and vowing to feed me ice cream every day just to see me happy? I pinch my leg beneath the table, sure I'm about to wake up alone in my bed, mourning such a sweet dream.
Instead, all that happens is a small prick of pain making me jump in my seat.
Okay then, this is actually real. How the hell did I get this lucky?
I gather myself enough to shoot Aidan a happy grin, plucking the cherry off the top of my sundae and popping it in my mouth.
“If you do that, you'll never get rid of me,” I joke, savoring the sweetness of both the ice cream and his company.
Aidan laughs, the sound full of warmth. He leans forward, elbows on the table so that when he speaks, it feels like a caress. “Is that a promise?” he asks, and I can't hide the way I shiver at his words. I'd meant my comment as a joke or a warning, but Aidan's makes my warning sound like a gift.
Conversation comes easily as we eat, and before I know it, I'm so full I don't think I can cram another bite of ice cream down, which is something I don't think I've ever said before. When I offer to pay, Aidan shoots me a look that saysdon't be stupidas he pulls his card out to pay for our treats and tip the waitress.
I feel a strange sort of sadness when we stand and head out. I don't want this to be over. I want to see him again, like right now, as in I don't want to be apart from him at all. The force of my feelings for him both surprise and terrify me.
Is it possible to fall for a guy you've known for a day?
The answer to my question comes in the form of my racing heart as Aidan takes my hand in his again.
“Let me walk you home,” he says, and I nod before he's even finished talking, jumping at the chance for even a few more minutes with him.
“I'd like that, thank you,” I tell him, turning to lead him in the right direction. “I'm only a few blocks away.”
“I'm the one who should be thanking you,” he answers.
I frown up at him, confused. “For what?”
“The honor of your company.”
Dammit, I'm blushing again.
“Says the literal hero,” I say back, shaking my head. “You're like…” I wave my free hand, searching for the right word. “A total catch.”
Aidan chuckles. “If you think you're anything less than utterly perfect, you're sorely mistaken, sweetheart.” He pauses, clearly thinking, before he adds, “You must have guys fighting to take you out.”
I choke on my laugh, shaking my head. “God, no. In truth, I rarely go on dates at all. Guys my age are all…well…they're nothing like you.”
A small frown tugs at the corner of Aidan's mouth and I freeze, worried I said something wrong.
“And my age…doesn't bother you?” he asks carefully.
Immediately, my eyes widen as I realize he's worried I'm nervous about the age gap. I mean, I'm aware that he's older than me, but honestly, it just adds to his charm. “No! Why would it bother me?”
“I’m almost twice your age,” he says, “I think.”
I shrug. “I don't really care what anyone else thinks is normal. Aidan, you…you make me feel things nobody else has ever made me feel.” I'm terrible at explaining this, but he's smiling softly at me again so I can't be doing too badly. “I want you,” I admit.
Then I realize we're about to pass my apartment block. I tug on his hand, making him stop with me outside the entrance. “This is my place.”
I hover at the door, facing Aidan, unsure of what to do now. Every cell in my body is urging me to stay close to him, to see if the stubble on his sharp jaw would feel like I imagine it does against my skin. But nervousness flows through me. What if he doesn’t want me to kiss him? What if he doesn’t feel this all-consuming attraction, this sense of…rightness? I mean…it is kind of crazy that I feel this muchfor a man I’d just met.
Thankfully, Aidan makes my choice for me. He leans forward, his hand gripping my waist softly. His stubble does indeed scratch at my cheek a little, the contact lighting me up inside, before the warmth of his lips presses against my cheek in a chaste kiss.
