Flirting With Destiny: Aedyn Book 1

Chapter 16

Lauren 

Once in town, I parked in the lot behind the stores so as not to be so conspicuous. After all, Chip's insurance office was in town also. Then I made the rounds to the bank, the realtor's office, the diner and the local thrift shop, all the places I anticipated Aedyn might need to go. I even passed by the dry cleaners and the funeral home. No luck. There was no sign of Aedyn's gorgeous face in any of these places.

Standing in front of Red's Place with my cell phone in hand, I resigned myself to text Jules to meet me for lunch. Although Red's Place was a bar, it was also known for its fantastic Italian sausage sandwiches made with a super fatty sausage from a local Italian meat market. If nothing else, I could drown my sorrows in animal fat. I shook my head as I entered. Searching for Aedyn had been a foolish idea anyway. At least it kept me busy and not brooding. 

Just minutes after my eyes adjusted to the darkness inside, I spotted Aedyn sitting at the bar eating lunch and having a beer. The mere sight of him warmed me from across the room and my face brightened. I walked over to where he was. 

 "Lauren, what are you doing here?" Aedyn sputtered, gaping at me over the rim of his beer glass. "You just got hit by a car yesterday, shouldn't you be taking it easy? You're out and about so soon?" 

 "Didn't you know I was Wonder Woman?" I said, smirking at his reaction. "I'm sure I hurt the car worse than it hurt me." 

"Sorry, I mean how are you feeling? I just... didn't expect to see you again seeing that you're engaged now." His words were edged in sarcasm and I wasn't sure how to take his remark. 

"Yea, about that..." 

"Funny you didn't mention a boyfriend at the diner... when we talked... for over an hour. That's the kind of thing most people would bring up in a conversation when they hadn't seen each other in years." 

I dripped my chin to my chest and picked at the trim on my cell phone case.

"I know. I'm sorry. I'm glad I ran into you because I want to explain." 

Aedyn placed his beer on the counter and the expression on his face softened. 

 "Lauren, I'm sorry. You've been through a lot and I'm acting like a jealous schoolboy. I have no right to act this way. Would you care to join me for lunch or a drink? I'm buying." 

I shot a glance toward the door, then glanced at my watch knowing that Chip would be tied up most of the afternoon with work. Aedyn smiled at me, waiting for my answer, his eyes, blue and inviting. I moistened my lips as I felt the flesh on my arms rising into goose bumps. "Okay, sure. That would be great," I said and slid onto the bar stool next to him. 

"Can I order some lunch for you?"

"No thanks. But I'll have a beer." I didn't think I could make it through sitting so close to Aedyn without something to distract my hands. 

"So what's all the mystery about the boyfriend?" 

"Fiancé." I corrected him and wiggled my ring finger, admiring the beautiful stone. I dropped my hand when I saw his jaw tighten. 

"It's beautiful." 

 I was quiet for a moment, not sure if I should go on. Technically, he was an old friend and I felt so relaxed around him, like I could tell him all my inner thoughts. But revealing my feelings would also make me vulnerable. Bottom line, I was scared and had lost confidence in myself. I had come to expect that all my actions would be wrong.