AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know, just because you’re working at the inn doesn’t mean I’ll be making you lunch every day.”
“That’s exactly what it means,” Heath said as he followed me up the stairs. “We should probably widen these and make them sturdier. Building codes have changed since these were built.”
I let him draw me into his plans for the basement as I made us sandwiches. Fiona joined us, listening and commenting from time to time. It was good having all my favorite people in one place. If only Fiona was sticking around. Then everything would be perfect.
CHAPTER 10
FIONA
We spent the week clearing out the rest of the basement. In the evenings, I visited Daphne and Izzy in their new place. As much as the project excited me and fueled me in a way my regular job didn’t, I couldn’t lose sight of the fact that I was home to see my family.
Today, we were focused on the bowling alley, throwing out the shoes and measuring for new shelves. Apparently, Aiden was taking on that project himself.
As we washed the dust off our hands, Aiden asked, “What are your plans for tonight?”
“We’re having a family dinner at my dad’s. Everyone in the same place. Or at least everyone who lives here: Jameson, Teddy, Weston, Daphne, Cole, and Izzy.”
“That’ll be nice.”
“I’m going to take a shower first because it looks like I was in a dust storm.”
He wiped a hand over my cheek where I was sure I was covered in a fine coating of more dust, sending tingles down my spine. “Have a good time with your family.”
His voice was low and husky, and I wanted to ask him if he’d join me in the shower. But that was a bad idea. We’d always had chemistry, but that didn’t mean anything.
The problem was that the more time we spent together, the more I remembered how good of a guy he was, how much I enjoyed spending time with him. He was interested in what I had to say. I couldn’t remember the last time someone listened to me that intently.
But I couldn’t forget that I wasn’t who he wanted in the end. I wasn’t enough for him.
I stepped away from him. “You look like you could use a shower too.”
“I’m heading to my apartment just as soon as I put out a snack for the kids. We have a few families in town for the holidays. I like to put out cookies.”
“That’s sweet.”
“It’s totally worth it when the kids come down here looking for a treat and find it. They get really excited.” He grabbed the cookies from the cabinet. “These are store-bought, but I’d love to find a local baker who could supply us with treats.”
“Hmm. I’ll have to ask Daphne if she’d be willing to do that. She can bake, but she prefers pies.”
“Maybe if not, she knows someone who would.”
“I’d be happy to talk to her.”
We headed to the lobby where the stairs would take me to my room. He opened the tray of cookies and arranged them on a plate. I’d made it up a few steps before I heard the pounding of little feet on the stairs.
“Slow down. There’s plenty for everyone.” Aiden smiled at them and then looked up, catching me watching. He winked, and my face flushed.
I continued ascending the stairs because watching Aiden with kids was dangerous to more than just my heart. I could see him with a child following him around the inn while he did repairs. He’d carefully instruct the child how to fix things. He’d be patient and loving.
I shook my head. Just because he was good with the guests didn’t mean he’d make a good father. Except I remembered when we would talk about his parents, he’d been adamant he wouldn’t be anything like them.
Since I'd come home, I was confronted with my past. It was nice to reconnect with people. But Aiden was different. I didn’t feel like we were moving forward as friends. I felt like we were building a foundation for something more, which was ridiculous. A foundation for what?
He’d been the one to say that he didn’t want a relationship with me. There was no future for us. He’d made that clear. When he touched my cheek in the kitchen, I’d wanted him to kiss me, despite the warning signs and our history.
Logic didn’t come into play. It was all sensations. The tingles from his touch, the unsteadiness of my breath. The ache in my core.
I needed to keep Aiden securely in my past. Maybe I should consider moving into Daphne’s place. At least I wouldn’t be around Aiden as much. We’d still need to work together, but surely, I could compartmentalize that part of my life. We were coworkers.
