Aiden shakes his head, his jaw tightening as he stares down at the table. "I said I'm good."
Pete sits back, glancing at the other guys at the table.
"Do any of you play sports?" I ask in an attempt to get the attention off Aiden.
"I played football in college," Griffen says. "But I busted my knee sophomore year. Haven't played since."
"I play tennis at the club," John says. "I'm not great but I get a good workout."
"I used to play baseball," Tanner says.
I look at Pete. "How about you?"
"I played lacrosse. With this guy." He shoves Aiden's shoulder. "He was the star of the team so he got all the girls."
A smile fills Aiden's face. "What are you talking about? You got plenty of girls."
"Not as many as you." Pete looks back at me. "He was also valedictorian of our prep school. I hated being friends with him. He was always doing better than me."
"It wasn't a competition," Aiden says.
"Everything's a competition with me. You know that." Pete gulps down his beer as the bartender appears with more drinks.
"Do any of you have girlfriends?" I ask, trying to make conversation. I feel odd being the only girl here, not that it was any different when Celine was here. She didn't seem interested in talking to me, other than our brief conversation about finding a caterer.
"I did a few days ago," Griffen says. "But she took off for Sweden. Aiden's the only one left with a girl. The rest of us are single."
"So what exactly happened in Vermont?" Tanner asks. "Aiden told us his side of the story. What's yours?"
I look over at Aiden, smiling. "What'd you tell them?"
"That I messed up. I told them my work papers flew out the window and almost caused you to get in an accident."
"But instead I got a ticket," I say. "Oh! I got my notice in the mail today. My court appearance is in two weeks."
"I don't know about mine," Aiden says. "I haven't seen the mail today."
"Whatever they fine you," John says to me, smiling. "You should make Aiden pay."
"I'm happy to do it," Aiden says, looking at me. "It wasn't your fault. You shouldn't have to pay."
"Or you could sue him," Tanner kids. "One of the many perks of going out with a lawyer."
"What the hell?" Aiden pretends to be offended.
"I'm kidding," Tanner says. "But I agree you should pay the fine."
"You don't have to," I tell Aiden.
"I'm paying for it," he says. "I wouldn't feel right if I didn't."
As he looks at me across the table I get that feeling again, like there's something between us. I'm sure I'm just imagining it, or wishing there was something there.
"Ready to go?" Tanner asks a half hour later as I take my last sip of wine.
"Where are you going?" Aiden asks, concern crossing his face as he watches me get up.
"We're getting something to eat," Tanner says. "Sophie didn't have dinner."
"Maybe we should go with you."
The other guys look at Aiden like he's crazy, knowing Tanner is taking me on a date.
"Maybe some other time," Tanner says. "See you guys later."
"It was nice meeting you all," I say to the guys.
As I'm walking to the door with Tanner, Aiden appears. "Can I talk to you before you go?"
"Um, sure."
Aiden glances at Tanner. "Can you give us a minute?"
"Yeah, I'll wait outside."
When he's gone, Aiden says, "You okay with this?"
"With what?"
"Tanner. You don't have to go out with him. I know he asked, but if you're not interested, you can tell him no."
"I know that," I say with a laugh. "I've dated before, and I've turned guys down before."
Aiden nods. "I just didn't want you thinking you had to tell him yes because...I don't know. Never mind."
"I like him. He seems nice, and if he's a friend of yours, he can't be that bad, right?"
"Right," Aiden says, his eyes meeting up with mine. "So..." He pauses. "I guess you should get going."
"Yeah." I turn to leave.
"Hey, about the court hearing."
"What about it?" I say, turning back.
"If we have the same court date I'd be happy to give you a ride."
"Actually, mine is on a Friday. I'm thinking of spending the weekend there. Tom offered me a free room for when I come back. I can't really pass that up." I smile. "I really love that place, and in a couple weeks it'll be beautiful with all the leaves turning color."
"Maybe I'll do the same. I could use another weekend away."
"The rooms are sold out. Tom saved one just for me."
"Well, the offer's there if you change your mind and decide you need a ride."
"Okay. Thanks, Aiden."
"One more thing." He steps closer to me and I get a whiff of that cologne of his I love so much. "You don't have to keep avoiding me. I sent you those texts because I wanted to make sure you got home okay. I hope you didn't think it was anything more than that. If you did I—"
"I didn't," I say, smiling at him. "And I wasn't avoiding you. I just got busy with work."
He nods, then glances behind me. "I'll let you get on with your date."
"Yeah. Bye, Aiden."
I leave feeling sad about what he said. He made it clear his messages the past few weeks were nothing more than a friend checking in, which is nice, but in my head I kept imagining it being something more. But it wasn't.
Aiden is just a friend. And that's probably all he'll ever be.
Chapter Eight
Sophie
"This woman is a nightmare," Bianca says, racing around her office.
"Sorry." I open Celine's file on the laptop. "I was just trying to bring in new business."
"Don't be sorry," she says with a laugh. "I love her! She's just like me. I have a feeling when this is over we'll be friends."
Is she serious? She really wants to be friends with Celine? The woman's run us ragged the past week with all her demands. We've presented her with ten options for
