My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 25

"How much longer?" I whined leaning closer to Aaron as he drove us to the beach. "We're almost there." He smiled, bringing my hand to his lips, kissing it softly.

He played mindlessly with my fingers, making my heart flutter. Aaron had decided to take us to the nearest beach for some privacy for this evening. I was relieved to have some peace and quiet with him.

These past few days I've been spending most of my time with Eddie and my mother trying to help her get back on her feet. It was difficult since she was the most stubborn person I knew and refused to accept help from anyone. Which I clearly inherited from her. I didn't realize how exhausting it was until I received it first hand.

Aaron was uncharacteristically quiet during most of the car ride making me even more anxious and overthinking about what I would say to him. How I would tell him that I had to go back to California for work. I was afraid of how he would react. The last thing I wanted to do was leave him again.

"What's on your mind?" I asked softly as the wind blew through our hair, driving with the windows down. "You. It's always you." Aaron answered with a genuine smile, focused on the road.

My heart swelled as I leaned in to kiss the side of his face inching down his neck, seductively. "Will you say it again?" I whispered against his flushed skin as his hand rested on my thigh. "Say what?" His voice was deep and hoarse knowing he was struggling to compile himself as he drove.

"I love you." I answered pulling away from him looking up at him full of vulnerability. I wanted this moment to last forever. "I love you, Bethany. More than anything. I've always been in love with you." He turned to me once he came to a stop.

He grabbed my face, planting a gentle and longing kiss against my lips. "I keep thinking I'll wake up back in high school. And this is all just a dream." The sun shined against our skin, as his warm chocolate eyes shimmered, looking down at me with so much love and affection it was overwhelming.

Aaron and I walked hand in hand through the mostly empty beach. In the distance I noticed Connie and Aaron's friends in the distance. "I thought it was just going to be us?" I asked softly as he squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"Don't worry, it will be." He replied as I slowly noticed what they were doing. Connie was adjusting a white sheet over the sand with flower petals cascaded all around. There was a platter of food and desserts but I didn't have the chance to inspect it further when they spoke.

"The lovely couple! Finally." Alex said as they all quickly moved towards us. "What's going on?" I asked them.

"Don't worry we'll get out of your hair." Dave pulled him roughly by the elbow making Alex glare at him. "We just wanted to spruce things up a bit... Anyway, have fun!" Connie and everyone rushed away as I chuckled nervously.

"I'm glad to know they're so understanding of us." I expressed amused watching them stumble over the sand. "Did they really do all this for us?" I drew my attention back onto the beautiful, intimate picnic spread they put together.

"I asked them to. I wanted this to be special for you." Aaron and I sat down across from one another. "I wanted to make you feel special." He added with a hint of guilt making me reach out to him. "I do." I smiled as he noticeably eased, studying my eyes.

My face lit up noticing Mrs. Anderson's famous chocolate eclairs. "Shut up, you didn't!" I drew attention to them, making Aaron laugh. They were beautifully organized with fresh fruit and cheese and crackers. "They were your favorite growing up."

"You remember?" I asked somewhat shocked not realizing how much attention he paid to me. "Of course." He replied.

I still noticed he was nervous and couldn't help but feel as though he was holding something back. Aaron definitely wasn't the type of guy to get nervous especially around a woman but I decided to let it go.