Beautiful One (15 page)

Melissa exhaled and I thought I'd pacified her for the time being. “You'll tell me if things get weird between you two, right?”

“Of course.”

She leaned toward me and we hugged. “‘Cuz ya know I'll beat the crap outta him.”

“I know. C'mon, let's run the stairs.” I got up and grabbed her arm.

“Ugh.”

Reluctantly, Melissa got up and we ran the stairs, leaving the burden that was between us behind.

****

The thought of my date with Aidan excited me. He'd told me to dress nice because he was surprising me and taking me someplace special for our four-month anniversary. I showered, shaved my legs and, for old times' sake, flat-ironed my hair. I had forgotten what a long process it was, but seeing my reflection made me smile.

On my way into the closet, my shoulder bumped my bookcase, causing a framed picture of Mason and me to fall to the floor. It was a picture of us standing in front of the piano. I was fat. My hand slid over the photograph. I was smiling in the picture, but even now looking at it, I remembered I wasn't happy. I placed the picture back on the shelf and tried to shake off the sadness I felt for the fat girl still inside me. As I let my hand glide across the clothes that lined my closet, I began to feel better… until I pulled out my black birthday dress.

Looking it over, I contemplated if I should wear it or not. This dress had such a bad memory attached to it. After a few minutes, I made the decision to wear the dress. That awful memory had to be replaced with a good one. I pulled the dress over my head and shimmied it down my body. Next, I picked up the necklace from Aidan and clasped it around my neck. Since I'd spent most of the afternoon in the park, there was no need for blush. My sun-kissed cheeks against my pale skin were rosy enough.
While applying my mascara, an image of Spencer flashed through my mind. I dismissed it.

It was nothing.

I ran down the hallway to my mom's room and gave myself a squirt of her expensive perfume. I needed to hurry: Aidan would be here soon. I dashed back into my bedroom and searched in my closet for my black heels, slipped them on, and exited the closet. My breath caught when I saw Aidan leaning against the doorjamb of my bedroom door. He looked amazing dressed in black dress slacks, a black blazer, and a white dress shirt with a black skinny tie. He was clean-shaven with his hair slicked back. When he saw me, his eyes lit up, and he let out a sexy whistle.

“You look beautiful and smell delicious, good enough to eat.”

“You look good too.” I nuzzled into the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent of his freshly showered skin. He kissed the top of my head and gazed down at me.

“Are you ready to go?”

“I'm ready. Are you going to tell me where we are going yet?”

He shook his head and held my hand. “You'll know soon enough. Let's go.”

While driving to the undisclosed destination, I riddled Aidan with questions. “Is it far?”

“Nope.”

“Have you been there before?”

He laughed. “Yes.”

My eyes narrowed, not sure if I wanted to know the answer to my next question, but I asked it anyway. “Have you taken any other girls there?”

He took his eyes off the road to look at me. “Never.” His tone was definitive. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Traveling up Pacific Coast Highway, I giggled. “Are we almost there?”

He reached over and rubbed my leg. “Almost.” And with that, Aidan gave me a wink as we rounded the corner onto Carlton Drive.

“Aidan! Are you kidding me? You're taking me to your work?”

We pulled into the long driveway. His smile was infectious as he pulled up to the valet. Immediately, I was greeted by one of Aidan's co-workers, who offered his hand to guide me from the truck. He checked me out and gave Aidan an approving nod. Aidan introduced me to his attractive friend, Tony, and tossed him the keys.

Aidan interlaced his fingers with mine then held my hand and walked me through the impressive lobby. Two pretty female staff members gave me the once-over from behind the marble reservation desk.

Aidan said, “Hello,” and casually walked by them. I was awestruck by the modern decor and lavish beauty of such a stunning hotel.

“Aidan, this is beautiful.”

He leaned over and kissed my forehead.
“C'mon, we have reservations.” He smiled then whisked me through the stunning hotel.

****

The dining room was small, the ambiance romantic. Dark wood surrounded an open wine cellar with circular tables and intimate booths. Classical music hummed through the speakers. The restaurant was full of couples, chatting and enjoying their meal. The hostess sat us at a private booth.

Aidan held my hand while we decided what to order. I leaned in close and whispered to him.

“It's so expensive. Do you want to split something?”

He shook his head. “Don't worry. Get whatever you like.” He lifted my hand to his lips and kissed it.

I decided on the grilled sea scallops with wild rice, and Aidan chose a rib-eye steak and a baked potato. The female server brought me some sparkling water and Aidan a soda, along with some crusty bread. I leaned back in the booth, observing the romantic surroundings. I smiled as he swept his thumb back and forth over my hand.

“I wanted to take you someplace special. Happy anniversary.
You're so beautiful, Liz.” Aidan's eyes shifted to the table and then back to me. “When I saw you at your birthday party wearing that dress, you took my breath away.” Aidan squeezed my hand tight. “I'm sorry I was such a jerk that night.”

“It's okay, Aidan, everything worked out.”

My afternoon with Spencer crept into my thoughts and I hated myself for it.
I got up from my side of the booth and slid in next to Aidan. I embraced him, willing the image of Spencer from my mind.

“Hey, are you okay?”

“Yes, I'm fine.” I leaned up to kiss him, then our server arrived. She placed our beautifully plated meal in front of us as I got up and went back to my side of the table.
I unrolled my silverware from the crisp linen napkin and placed it across my lap. Aidan cut into his steak and placed a small portion on my plate. I returned the gesture with one of my scallops. Aidan wrinkled his nose at me.

“I'm not much of a fish eater.” He pouted.

“Oh, don't be a baby.”

Aidan stabbed the scallop with his fork and placed it in his mouth. I watched his wary expression transform into joy.

“See? Good, huh?”

“So good.” He smiled.

When I took a bite of my scallop, my mouth watered from the buttery richness that invaded my taste buds. “Mmm… delicious,” I murmured.

“Mine too,” Aidan agreed then cut into another piece of his steak.

Throughout our meal, the server came back on several occasions to replenish our breadbasket and refill our drinks. When I couldn't eat another bite, I pushed my plate in front of me.

“Would you like dessert?” Aidan asked.

“I'm stuffed.”

“Me too. How about if we walk around for a bit?”

“I'd like that.”

Aidan made eye contact with our server. “May we have the check please?”

“My pleasure,” she replied.

****

Aidan took my hand and guided me through the resort. Eventually, we ended up at an outside balcony overlooking the beautiful Pacific. The moon shimmered over endless miles of ocean. Aidan hugged me from behind and wrapped me in his arms. He peppered my neck with kisses, and when his lips reached my earlobe, I was rewarded with a gentle nibble that sent chills down my spine. He shifted me around and grasped the back of my neck and pressed his lips against mine. His eyes burned with a dozen different emotions until his softened gaze settled on my face. He stroked my cheek with the tips of his fingers then brushed the pad of his thumb across my bottom lip before he kissed me again.

Aidan leaned in, the look in his eyes pure. When he whispered “I love you,” I knew he meant it, which made my heart ache all the more. I didn't say anything in return.

My rollercoaster of emotions was getting to me. I wasn't sure if what I felt for Aidan was love. I couldn't bring myself to say anything, so after another passion-filled kiss, like a coward, I turned away. He hugged me, and I buried my face in the warmth of his chest. We spent the next hour wrapped in each other's arms as the moonlit sky surrounded us.

The doorbell rang. Maggie barked, and seconds later Melissa hollered from the steps below.

“Liz, are you up there?”

“Ya, I'll be right down,” I yelled from the upstairs landing.

Melissa was scrounging around in the cupboards when I walked into the kitchen. She pulled out a box of crackers but put it back. “I'm starving. Let's go get something to eat. You can tell me about last night in the car.”

****

Melissa sucked down her chocolate shake while we waited at the drive-thru for the rest of our food.

“So, he told you he loved you, and you didn't say anything?”

“No… I hugged him. That was it.”

Melissa cocked her head to the side, as if she was trying to figure me out. “Liz, you're probably freaked out because of the other night. I'm glad you're not saying ‘I love you' just because he did.”

“He's not your favorite. I know that… but I care about him.”

Melissa grabbed the bag from the take-out window, handed it to me and pulled away. I opened the bag and grabbed a couple of fries.

“I remember when you told me how it was for you and Mason. You both couldn't wait to tell each other. I… I just thought it would be the same for me.”

Melissa stuffed her hand deep in the bag and grabbed a fried zucchini. “How did he seem after? Was it awkward?”

“No. It was a good night. I just always thought if he told me, I'd say it back. No hesitation… ya know?”

My mind settled on thoughts of Spencer. I considered telling Melissa about him but, knowing how she felt about Aidan, I wasn't going there with her.

“I can't believe he didn't freak out. Maybe there's hope for him yet.” She smirked then took a bite from the zucchini strip.

Melissa pulled into the driveway. The open garage door and the guys playing surprised me. I glanced over at her before she put the car in park.

“Did you know they were practicing today?”

“No idea.”

“I feel bad we didn't get them anything.”

Melissa held up the bag. “Do you think that'll stop ‘em?”

We exited the car and sat on the garage couch.
The
minute
Melissa opened the bag, Mason and Derek were hovering over her with outstretched hands. I grabbed a handful of fries and was able to get two zucchini strips. Kyle walked from his keyboard toward us. I held up a zucchini.

“Hey, Kyle, ya want it?”

“No, that's okay.” He sat on the arm of the couch. Melissa was next to me with Mason on her other side. After Derek tipped the bag in his mouth and ate the remaining fries, he squished in between Melissa and me.

“Where's Aidan?” I asked.

“On his way,” Mason answered.

“What are you guys doing? You never practice on Tuesdays.”

“Derek can't make it Sunday.”

Derek piped up from his side of the couch.
“I gotta hot date.”

“But you'll be back before we go on?” Mason eyed Derek.

“Yes. I'll be back… daddy.”

“Hey, I wouldn't have to be your daddy if you'd show up on time.”

Mason got up from the couch and kissed Melissa on the lips before he walked over to the makeshift stage and picked up his guitar. Derek stretched out across the couch and put his head on my lap and his butt on Melissa.

“Cut it out, Derek.” I pushed his head off me, but he just put it back. Melissa shoved him, causing him to fall to the floor. Kyle was still next to me with his arm draped across the back of the couch. With the laughter and commotion of Derek's less-than-graceful fall, I never heard Aidan's arrival. A loud cough alerted me to his presence.

He was standing off to the side, half in the garage, half out. I wasn't sure how long he'd been standing there, but by the look on his face, I was sure he had seen Derek's head on my lap. I watched his eyes shift from me to Kyle's arm. His expression was unreadable, but I would have bet money that he wasn't happy. He let out a deep breath as he approached me. Kyle got up and headed over to the keyboard.

“Hi.” I saw the disapproval in his eyes. Aidan leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips before he acknowledged the guys and Melissa. He sat next to me and placed his arm around my shoulder while he whispered in my ear.

“I hope I didn't interrupt. Things seemed a little cozy from what I saw.”

“Are you serious? Derek?”

Aidan pulled me in close and whispered in my ear. “I'm not talking about Derek.”

“What are you talking about?” I tried to keep my voice low. Melissa had gotten up and was chatting with Mason near the keyboard but I didn't want her to question me on this ridiculous conversation we were having.

“I'm talking about Kyle.” I glanced at Kyle, who was eyeing us.

“We're friends, Aidan, you know that.”

“Oh, I think he'd like to be more than friends.”

“I thought you were working on this.”

“Hey, I'm just telling you the truth. You have no idea, Liz.”

“Oh, Aidan, let it go.” I sighed. Derek hopped behind his drums and started pounding.

“That's my cue.” Aidan got up, but not before he glanced at Kyle and branded me with a kiss.

I had to remind myself Aidan was a work in progress. Determined not to let his irrational behavior get to me, I went inside while the guys practiced in the garage.