"Thank you," I say as he opens the door for me.
He hands me the key, then goes in his room.
Dropping my bag on the floor, I walk over to the bed and collapse on it, taking deep breaths as my heart returns to normal. Why does Aiden have this affect on me? And why can't I make it stop?
My phone rings and I check it before answering, hoping it's not my mom calling to tell me she's getting my room ready for me to move back. I could totally see her doing that. I love my mom, but I wish she'd support my decisions. I know she only wants me back there because she misses me, and I miss her too, but I need to have my own life.
It's Macie calling, not my mom. "Hey, Macie."
"Hey. Your mom just called. She told me you got community service."
"Yeah," I say with a sigh. "Forty hours."
"What are you going to do? Forty hours is a lot, especially when you don't live there."
"I'll have to do it on weekends, if they let me. I have to call and find out how it works."
"What about your job?"
"Bianca's going to have a fit when she finds out. She's already angry at me for missing two weekends of events. I guess I should've driven back tonight but I was so stressed about today I just wanted to relax when it was over. And it's so gorgeous here, Macie. I wish you could see it. The fall color is unlike anything you've ever seen. And this inn I'm staying at is so beautiful. I feel like I'm living in a postcard."
"Then just relax and enjoy it. Don't worry about work. I'm sure you'll figure it out."
"I will, but it might be too late."
"What do you mean?"
"Macie, I need to tell you something but I need you to promise not to tell anyone, especially my parents."
"What is it?"
"I didn't pay rent this month." I pause. "I didn't have the money."
"What about all that money you saved?"
"It's gone. I don't make enough at my job to cover my bills so I had to use my savings. And now I have to keep renting a car to drive up here for community service. If I have to stay overnight, I'll have hotel costs too. I'll have to charge it, but my credit card's almost maxed out."
"How much money do you need? I can send you some."
"Macie, you don't have money. You just bought a car. And you have a house payment."
She bought a house last year. It's small, but adorable, and she has a yard out back with trees and a little flower garden. Her house payment is half of what I pay to rent my closet-sized apartment.
"I could send you a hundred dollars," she says. "Would that help?"
"I need a lot more than that, but thanks for offering."
"What about your parents?"
"You know I can't ask them. They'll just tell me to move home." I get up and walk to the window, looking out at the fall color. "I'll just have to figure something out."
"Is that guy there again?"
"Aiden? Yeah. He got off with a fine. Apparently a water bottle is a lot worse than paper when it comes to littering."
"Is he sticking around?"
"Yeah. His girlfriend decided not to come but he already had the room so he decided to stay. He's in the room next to mine."
"That's convenient," she says with a smile in her voice.
"Nothing's going to happen. He has a girlfriend."
"Who would rather stay home than go on a romantic weekend with her boyfriend. Doesn't sound like the best relationship."
"Maybe not, but it's none of my business. And besides, I'm dating his friend."
"You're still dating that guy? I thought you were going to break up with him."
"I was going to give it more time but now I'm thinking I just need to end it. I don't see it going anywhere."
"Oh, shoot, I'm late for a meeting. Can I call you tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Bye." I remain at the window, gazing out at the gorgeous scenery. The sun is out and there isn't a cloud in the sky. What am I doing inside on such a nice day?
I get my duffle bag and bring it to the bed. I take out a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and change out of the dress I had on. I pull my hair up in a ponytail, put on a baseball cap, and head out of the room.
As I'm walking to the stairs, I stop and turn back. Should I invite Aiden to come along? He's probably busy. I'll just go alone. But maybe I should ask him where to go. He said there were hiking trails around here but he didn't say where.
Going back down the hall, I stop at his room. I lift my hand to knock, then pause, second-guessing my decision.
Why am I making such a big deal out of this? There's nothing wrong with asking him a question.
I knock a few times. "Aiden?"
He doesn't answer. He might've left, although I didn't hear his door open.
"Aiden?" I knock again.
The door swings open and Aiden's standing there with wet hair and a towel around his waist. He must've been in the shower.
"Oh, sorry," I say, trying not to stare at his muscular chest and the outline of his abs, but my eyes can't help but look. I've never been this close to a guy with a body like Aiden's. I've dated guys that are in good shape, but not like this, not with muscles you can actually see.
"Did you need something?" he asks in that tone that I swear is flirtatious.
"Um, yes." I force my eyes back up to his face. His mouth is turned up in a slight grin that I find incredibly sexy. "I just had a question."
"Go ahead," he says, leaning against the door frame.
"I'm going on a walk and I wanted to ask about the trails you went on. Last time you were
