Page 167 of That Rush

The warning in my name sends a sharp pulse between my thighs. I slide the zipper down one tooth.

A car door slams outside.

We both freeze.

A second door closes, and Josie’s voice carries across the yard. “I can get it!”

I look at Aiden. He looks down at his open belt, then back at me.

“Your father is early.”

“First time in thirty-five years.”

A laugh escapes me as I pull his zipper up and shove the button through the hole. Aiden steps back so I can hop down, then catches my waist when one boot skids against the cabinet.

“Careful.”

“You’re the one who left me in a compromised position.”

“You chose the counter.”

“And you created the conditions for a poor choice.”

“You liked the counter.”

The back door handle rattles.

Aiden fastens his belt while I smooth my blouse, and we manage to put several respectable inches between us before Josie bursts into the kitchen carrying a paper bag.

“Grandma sent peaches.” She looks from Aiden to me, then at the ingredients spread across the counter. “Did you start without me?”

Aiden nudges the cutting board. “Only the cutting.”

“Can I put the cheese in?”

“You sure can.”

Josie sets the bag on the table and drags her step stool toward the counter. Aiden steadies it with one foot while she climbs up. His face shows no frustration, no impatience over the interruption. He kisses the top of her head and hands her the bowl.

Thirty seconds ago, my hand was headed inside this man’s jeans. Now I am standing beside his six-year-old and supervising cheese distribution.

Josie drops half of it in one spot.

“Excellent coverage,” I tell her.

“It needs more.”

Aiden leans against the counter. “She gets that from me.”

Josie wrinkles her nose. “You always say there’s too much cheese.”

Aiden looks at me. “She keeps the story honest.”

I laugh, and his hand settles briefly at my lower back as he reaches past me for the tortillas.

His touch is easy and familiar. I chose to be here. I am less certain what 'here' means to him.

I agreed to dinner. Standing between Aiden and Josie, I feel the shape of a life forming around me—warm and solid and utterly unasked for.