Page 93 of Beneath the Quiet

Waiting for her.

“See you next week, Aidan.”

It’s not the answer I want, but it’ll have to do for now. My eyes linger on hers for one more moment before I force myself to turn away.

“See you then, Wildfire.”

My phone vibrates on my bedside table. I pick it up, and when I see it’s the woman I can’t stop thinking about, I swipe the screen.

WILDFIRE: The Friendship Fling Rule Book

I bark out a laugh, shaking my head.

This woman.

ME:There’s an entire rule book now?

WILDFIRE: It’s not a thick book. It just has a few key elements that I feel are important.

ME: Let me have them.

I settle back on the pillows, eager to find out what she’s come up with. Little Miss is settled in my bed, curled up near my feet, and opens her eyes once, blinks at me, and then shuts them again.

WILDFIRE: #1: We don’t meet for lunch or drinks at the pub. Nothing that could look like a date.

ME: Got it. What’s next?

WILDFIRE: #2: You mustn’t cook for me.

ME: Why not? I like to cook.

WILDFIRE: It’s too intimate. Too much like something a boyfriend would do.

I drop the phone on my abs, taking time to mull over her words. I never thought that cooking could be considered an intimate act between people, but the more I reflect on it, the more I see Maeve’s point of view.

I pick up the phone and quickly type my answer.

ME: Done. Do you have more rules?

WILDFIRE: Just one more. That’s the most important, I think.

I watch the dots dance on the screen. They stop every few seconds, then pick up again, and each time they do, my pulse beats louder. I don’t know what that has me so worked up, but my best guess is that it’s because I’m out of my depth.

But now I’ve had Maeve, I’m far from having my fill of her yet.

I need to see this through for however long it takes to get her out of my system.

ME: Still waiting, Mae.

WILDFIRE: #3: If either of us starts to catch feelings for each other, we end this thing between us. Promise me, Aidan.

I grip the phone tighter in my hand and close my eyes briefly.

Then I type the only words I can give her that won’t hurt her.

ME: I promise that won’t happen. You’ll make some man very happy one day, but that man won’t be me.

Chapter Twenty-Two