Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 261(@200wpm)___ 209(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
“Purging toxic feelings is healthy.” She shook her head. “I guess we got deep after all.”
He managed a smile. “I think we were overdue.” Releasing her, he leaned back. “It’s all made me realize I want to look forward. The future is waiting.” He didn’t know what kind of future Brooke imagined for herself, but he hoped he’d be part of it.
She bit her bottom lip, a million emotions in her expressive eyes. “And what kind of future do you want?” she asked.
He’d learned a lot of lessons with her and knew the right answer. “We should date,” he said, even though he was miles beyond that in his mind.
He’d known her for so long and loved her for years. His feelings for her endured even when he’d forced himself to stay away. He had no doubt what he wanted from her. But he was well aware she wasn’t ready.
Relief crossed her face and she blew out a long breath. “Oh. Good. I mean, I wasn’t sure what you were thinking…”
Aiden squeezed her hands, ignoring the ache in his palms from yesterday’s injury. “Let me clear things up for you. I want you, Brooke. Not just in bed, but in my life. I want dates and flirty texts. I want to eat dinner with you and talk about our day, and I want to make your coffee just the way you like it in the morning and watch you smile while you drink it with messy hair and sleepy eyes.”
Brooke’s hand went to her head, running her finger through her hair, and Aiden chuckled.
“I want that too,” she said. “But we don’t know the adults we’ve become, so that dating time? I think it’s important. And I need to know you’ve been home for a while and aren’t going to leave again.”
Her words were fair but hit hard. Knowing how badly he’d hurt her, telling her to trust him wouldn’t be enough. He had to prove to her that he deserved her.
“I understand,” he said, his thumb tracing the curve of her cheek. “All I ask for is a chance.”
She smiled, one that was genuine, with no hesitation. “I think I can give you that.” Rising to her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to his lips. “Don’t forget to wrap your hands,” she reminded him.
Then, gathering her clothes, she left the room, and he let her go without protest. He’d gotten more than he’d hoped for from Brooke last night and this morning. They had time. He showered, going through his morning routine, his thoughts lingering on Brooke. He’d never fully forgive himself for hurting her, but he wouldn’t stop trying until the past stayed where it belonged and all she could see was the future.
As he stepped out of the shower, he heard his cell phone ringing and strode into the bedroom. Finding his pants on the floor at the foot of the bed, he fished the phone out of his pocket just before it went to voicemail.
“Hello?” he said, holding a towel around his waist with one hand the putting the call on speakerphone with the other.
“Hello, is this Mr. Aiden Sterling?”
The man’s voice was gruff but somehow familiar.
“Yes, this is Aiden.”
“This is Detective Hardwell. I took your statement yesterday.” Which explained the familiarity. “I’m calling to give you an update. We’ve run the license plate on the SUV that nearly hit you. I’m afraid it’s registered to a different vehicle. We tracked it down and determined the plate was stolen.”
Shit. Though he’d expected as much, he’d hoped for a lead. Instead, it was a dead end. “What does this mean?” he asked.
“I’m afraid it means that we don’t know who was driving the SUV. We tried to locate some usable CCTV footage from the area but nothing gave us a viable lead. Unless more evidence is found…”
He didn’t need to finish that sentence. It had only been twelve hours, and the police had already assumed they wouldn’t find any evidence of who’d been driving. The person that tried to kill him was going to get away with the attempt.
They might even try again.
Chapter Nineteen
Right after work, Brooke met Amy at yoga. She’d reached the Savasana portion, and she lay on her back, drawing in a deep breath. Beside her, Amy closed her eyes, and they both inhaled and exhaled slowly. Brooke tried to concentrate on the end of class, but she couldn’t help obsessing over Aiden.
Ever since agreeing to date him, she and Aiden had gotten along well. He brought coffee to her at the office, smiling as he handed her the cup. During dinner at the house, he played footsies with her, their parents none the wiser. They’d had a quiet sort of fun during the work week, and she felt a smile curl her lips, then mentally gave herself a reprimand. Concentrating during this part of class was important.