16
Liz couldn’t believe she’d spent two hours holding hands with Aidan in public, especially with her mother just three seats away and the O’Briens all around them. There wasn’t a doubt in her mind that every single person nearby had been aware of what was happening.
Even so, she hadn’t been able to make herself jerk her hand away. It had felt way too good to have that connection with him, to remember what that current of sizzling electricity between two people could be like. Why it had to happen now and with this enigmatic man was beyond her, but it had. More and more, she was starting to think it would be self-destructive folly to ignore the possibilities. She had to find some way to put the past behind her and open her heart.
When the lights came up at the end of the play, she cast a panicked look in Aidan’s direction. He winked, but he did release her hand.
Susie turned around immediately. “You’ll all be at the inn for the after-party, right? I know Bree is expecting you to come.”
Liz was about to shake her head, but several other O’Briens joined in issuing the invitation.
“You have to come,” Shanna said. “It’s Bree’s big night. All of her friends should be there.”
“It would be rude not to attend,” LeeAnn said.
Even Danielle implored her to say yes, a hopeful note in her voice that was far too telling about the lack of fun in her life these days with three demanding children and an inconsiderate husband.
Liz conceded defeat. How could she possibly say no when it meant so much to them. This was supposed to be their vacation, albeit a brief one. They deserved to have a little fun, even if some of it was likely to come at her expense. And, who knew, perhaps getting to know her friends would help to convince them of what a great place she’d chosen for her future.
If that possibility weren’t enough to persuade her to attend the party, there was the fact that it was bound to be better than going home to face the music with her mother. She forced a smile for Susie’s and Shanna’s benefit. “Sure, we’ll be there, at least for a little while. I definitely want a chance to congratulate Bree on another great production.”
Clearly satisfied at having accomplished one mission, Shanna turned her attention to Aidan. “And you?”
Never taking his gaze from Liz, he said, “Wouldn’t miss it. Sounds like the perfect way to cap off a surprising evening.”
Liz promptly pulled him into the aisle. “Please don’t...”
“Don’t what? Come to the party?”
“No, of course you should come, but don’t do anything to give people the wrong idea.”
His lips quirked in a worrisome way.
“Wrong idea? As I suggested earlier, I think you may be the only person who sees it that way.”
“Aidan,” she pleaded. “Not with my family here.”
Apparently her genuine distress finally registered, because he gave a slow nod. “But you and I are going to have a long talk once they’re gone. It’s time we get everything out on the table.”
Liz didn’t even try to hide her shock at his words. She wasn’t sure which she found more startling, having him call her on her secrets or his hint that he was finally going to reveal his. Perhaps he saw it as a one-sided conversation.
“Are you really ready to open up with me?” she inquired.
He nodded. “I think it’s time. There have been way too many secrets for way too long. We need to clear the air so we can move forward.”
“Okay, then,” she said, though the promise filled her with trepidation. Could she really open herself up the way he was obviously expecting? Could she explain why she had so many doubts, about herself, about him, about relationships in general?
And what would happen once she’d bared her soul?
Of course, the one thing that made that prospect less terrifying was that Aidan was clearly willing at last to do the exact same thing. Was it possible that once they had, they could move on together? Or would stripping away their illusions tear them apart?
* * *
Tables in the dining room at The Inn at Eagle Point were overflowing with delicious appetizers and desserts, but Aidan only had eyes for Liz as she made her way around the room, laughing with her friends, even with her sisters and her mother. She seemed surprisingly at ease, given her earlier tension.
“Everything okay?” Thomas asked, coming up beside him, his gaze following Aidan’s to settle on Liz.
Aidan nodded.
“You worried about how she’s going to react to the news?” Thomas asked, surprising Aidan with his perceptiveness.
Aidan turned to look at him. “No more than you must be about the truth coming out. You have a lot more at stake with the people in this room than I do. I could totally understand if you wished I’d never come to town.”
Thomas regarded him with what looked like genuine dismay. “Aidan, I won’t deny that this is going to stir things up and that I’m going to face some unwelcome scrutiny.” His expression turned rueful. “I imagine Ma is going to have quite a lot to say. She’ll never in a million years believe that I didn’t have an inkling that I’d fathered a child.”
Aidan gave him a sympathetic look. He’d only been around Nell a couple of times, but he knew the hold she had over her sons and how much they wanted her respect. “For what it’s worth, I do believe you about that. I think my mom made a conscious choice to keep it from you. I may never totally understand why she did what she did, but I don’t think you deliberately turned your back on us.”
Thomas looked relieved. “Thank you for that.” He smiled. “Not for being willing to defend me with Ma, but for believing in me.”
Aidan shrugged. Faith in Thomas hadn’t come easily or quickly—there had been
