Chapter 58

FREYA

“Mommy!” Gia’s voice pulled my attention from the people I was talking to. She let go of her father’s hand and ran to me.

“Hey, sweetheart! Did you come to support Mommy?”

She nodded enthusiastically and hugged me. We hadn’t planned on bringing her to the opening party, but last night she insisted. She wanted to be here for my big day. Gosh! I didn’t know where she was learning these things, but it was sweet, and honestly, my big day would have been incomplete without her. She’s such a big part of my life. My sweet girl.

“Oh, is this your daughter?” Ellen, the lady I’d been speaking to, gushed, smiling at Gia. She was a senior editor at a media company that worked on online magazines and articles and was here to cover the launch of Sips and Stories.

“Yes. Her name’s Gia,” I said, glancing at her.

“You have a beautiful name, darling,” Ellen said, crouching to get Gia’s attention.

Given her shy nature, Gia grabbed my hand before responding. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“If you’ll excuse me,” I said to Ellen, standing up.

“Of course.”

Meanwhile, I scanned the room for Aiden because Gia was obviously here with him. I found him, already looking at me. He was wearing a black polo shirt, tucked into dress pants with a dark gray blazer. How could a man look so gorgeous in everything he wore? God definitely has his favorites. And it was embarrassing how attracted I was to him. I think I had a crush on my boyfriend.

Halfway to Aiden, Gia saw Avery and called out to her. “Avery!” She let go of my hand and ran towards her. Avery was waiting for her.

“Slow down,” I warned her, but she didn’t listen. When I saw she’d reached Avery, I turned back to Aiden. “You’re late,” I said, walking to him.

“You’re beautiful,” he responded, good at saying the right things at the right time.

I was caught off guard by the compliment and speechless for a few seconds. “You can’t do that!” I exclaimed.

“Do what?” Aiden gave me an innocent look, snaking his hands around my waist. I rested my hands on his chest as he pulled me closer. “Sweet-talk your way out of everything?”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized, but he hardly looked sorry. “But it’s true. You are beautiful. And that dress! Makes me want to peel it off and ravish you.”

I had to try hard not to choke on air and appear composed, like his words weren’t tempting me to let him take me home. “Yeah? Is that tonight’s plan?” I asked, my face warming.

“As soon as Gia goes to bed,” he promised, and I would recognize that look in his eyes anytime. It was a look of pure desire that made my insides tingle. I cleared my throat, trying to wipe that horny expression off my face. Not a good look with a house full of strangers and important people.

I pulled away, creating some distance between us. Such close proximity to me tampered with my ability to think properly.

He kissed my cheek. “We don’t need to. Because my wife is already amazing.”

“Okay, stop,” I playfully pushed him, though I couldn’t hide my smile.

“Fine. I’ll stop. Now go and talk to people?”

4:41 PM

Chapter 58 (continued)

“Will you talk to Connor?” I asked, hoping he would at least give him a chance. In the past few days with Connor, he seemed decent. Maybe he wasn’t lying, and if so, I didn’t want Aiden to lose a close friend because of a misunderstanding.

His face hardened slightly at my suggestion.

“Go,” he said, choosing not to respond. I didn’t push him. If they wouldn’t talk today, I’d find a way to make them. But first, I needed this evening to go smoothly.

AIDEN

“Knight.”

Great. Just what I needed! A voice I recognized all too well, a voice I never planned on hearing again. Unfortunately, he’d somehow woven his way into my life because he was Freya’s business partner.

On top of that, Freya had been on my case for months, since that fundraiser gala. She wanted me to give Connor a chance to explain. I wasn’t convinced he had anything worthwhile to say, but there was one problem: When it came to Freya, I seemed to have lost my ability to say no. I couldn’t refuse her, so I’d avoided the topic until now.

“Warren,” I clipped, my tone reflecting my apathy.

Connor shoved his hands into his pockets. “So cold. You can hold a grudge, huh?”

“I’m sorry, am I hurting your delicate feelings?” He caught the mockery in my words. He smiled, gently shaking his head.

“Will you ever give me a chance to explain?”

I sensed frustration in his question, though he hid it well. I could imagine Freya giving me the puppy eyes, and I was about to give in. I was truly screwed.

“I wouldn’t have if it were up to me, but for some reason, my girlfriend thinks I should hear you out.” My annoyance was clear in my tone. “Seriously, what bullshit did you feed her?”

He chuckled. “I can feed you the same bullshit if you’re ready to listen.”

“Get on with it,” I muttered, wanting to be done with this.

“Let’s step outside.”