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“Then I’m inviting you.”
Would I survive attending a dance where Aiden was present? Would it bring back the memory of him sneaking into my prom and dancing with me all night? When nothing mattered but him and me?
He moved toward the door, then said over his shoulder, “I’ll save you a dance.”
I couldn’t seem to find my voice as he opened the door and slipped out. His invitation sent tingles down my spine.
I checked my appearance in the full-length mirror. I could easily go to the party and see how it was. Or I could remove my clothes, take a shower, and go to bed where I most certainly wouldn’t sleep.
It wasn’t a good idea to be anywhere near Aiden. There were all these feelings swirling in my chest. Our relationship felt unresolved, even though Aiden had ended it with no hope for reconciliation.
He told me not to contact him. That he was focused on doing a good job in the military and becoming a better man. Apparently, he didn’t see me by his side in that process.
I knew he felt unworthy because of his upbringing, but I never thought he needed something as extreme as a complete break from me. Maybe I was naive back then, but I thought our love was enough.
There was a part of me that wanted to prove to Aiden and myself that I could see him and walk away. That he didn’t affect me anymore. I was a confident woman who didn’t let any man get to her, especially not Aiden Matthews. He was part of my past, and I wouldn’t let him get close enough to hurt me again.
Determined to prove that I wasn’t affected by him, I retouched my makeup, and ran a brush through my hair before placing my room key in my clutch. I followed the music upstairs where the party was still in full swing.
There was a band playing, couples on the dance floor, and several bars placed around the room where others congregated. There were a few tables with chairs.
Before I could figure out who I knew in the room, Aiden appeared in front of me. “You came.”
“You promised me a dance,” I said, sounding breathless when I’d meant to sound strong and unaffected.
Aiden grinned and held out his hand. “I’m glad you came.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know why I did. I’m exhausted.”
He led me onto the dance floor and into his arms. “You had a long day?”
“You could say that.” But I didn’t want to talk about that now. He smelled like cedar, and his hand on my back felt good.
Aiden dipped his head slightly. “You didn’t tell your sister you were coming home?”
There was no censure in his voice. He knew how difficult things were for me after my mother died. “It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to my siblings.
“Daphne made it sound like you don’t normally come home for the holidays,” Aiden guided us away from another couple.
“I’m usually working.” My gaze traveled around the room so I wouldn’t have to look at him.
“I’ve never seen you when I come home.”
I was surprised he’d even thought of me. The way he’d so easily broken things off made me think I’d liked him far more than he had me. “I didn’t know you were looking.”
Aiden huffed out a breath. “I have a few regrets about how I handled things back then.”
My brow raised. “You do?”
He pulled me closer to him so that my body was touching his. The heat of his body enveloped me like a cozy blanket. “I was so eager to get out of town and away from my parents, I didn’t see any other way out.”
“You could have moved in with me. We could have gotten an apartment—” I didn’t want to rehash the past. “It doesn’t matter anymore. What’s done is done. We’ve both moved on with our lives.”
Aiden let out a breath. “I wish I’d handled things better back then. I wish I hadn’t hurt you.”
Tears stung my eyes. It was everything I’d wanted to hear, but it was too late. Too much time had passed. Needing to change the subject, I said, “Is it part of your job as the innkeeper to dance with all the single women at the balls?”
A slow smile spread over Aiden’s face, reminding me of a time when we were happy and in love. “You’re the only woman I’ve danced with tonight.”
