Flirting With Destiny: Aedyn Book 1

Chapter 11

Lauren 

Aedyn ended the call and tucked his cell into his jacket. He turned back to me and smiled. "Sorry about that... so what do you say? Can you stay awhile? I haven't seen you for years, well, except for the little dance we did in the back hallway of the sandwich shop." 

I grinned and rolled my eyes. "Sure, I can stay for a little while. But no dancing this time."

One look in those piercing blue eyes and I found myself melting into the smooth plastic seat opposite Aedyn, agreeing to stay for a chat even if it meant Chip might find out. 

 The same reaction I felt when I saw him step from the limo came rushing in, sending butterflies to fill my stomach. I suddenly didn't care what Chip may or may not do. I had been blindly tearing around the streets of town after Chip's psychotic attempt to search my phone and I was relieved to finally sit down. Plus, Aedyn said he only had a short time, so what harm could it do? 

 Now, sitting across from him, drinking him in, old memories came flooding back. It was a welcome distraction from my problems at hand. 

 He smiled back at me, drilling holes into me with his beautiful eyes. They were the same eyes I'd ignored as a teenager years ago. I remembered how I casually brushed aside a jewel that had been right in front of my face. I'd watched him back then, in moments when he thought I wasn't paying attention. When we worked on our science project at his mother's kitchen table. Now, however, there was an added depth and intensity in his eyes and though his exterior qualities had changed, dare I say improved, I could still see he was the same caring person I knew in high school. 

"What are you up to these days?" I tried to mask any salivating with perky quips. "You look... different than in high school." I was not at all surprised that I'd missed the obvious when I saw him at a distance. 

 A slow smile erupted and he pulled his lower lip between his teeth before he said, "Well, contact lenses help and I filled out after high school. Finally developed some muscle." 

I smiled as I imagined sculpted abs to go with the powerful shoulders under that expensive tailored suit. I hoped my drooling wasn't obvious. It was true that men didn't finish maturing and growing until around age twenty, but he didn't get that body from eating French fries on the couch. 

 "I've been living in Chicago, working, the usual." His eyes seemed to search my face and then landed on my bare arm. "Would you like something to eat, or drink? I can call the waitress over..." 

I pushed a loose lock of hair behind my ear and crossed my arms over my chest, trying to hide the bruises on my arm where Chip's fingers had left marks from our heated argument. "Just coffee would be fine." I slumped down a little in my seat. 

 Aedyn tipped his head in the direction of my now purpling arm. "Is everything okay, Lauren?" 

"Yes, of course." Aedyn stared blankly, waiting, his eyes demanding an explanation. "I was in one of those mud-run challenges for charity,"

I lied, shocked at how quickly a cover up story came to me. "Besides running, it also involved an obstacle course, things like climbing a rope, scaling a wall made of railroad ties. Got a little banged up on the rock-climbing wall. It's nothing." I was babbling, so I stopped and plastered a fake smile on my face. "Anything for a good cause." 

I thought I noticed his jaw tighten, but the expression on his face remained stoic. "You should be more careful. Next time you have a charity event, you'll have to invite me to come. I can help. You don't have to get hurt."