Aiden Harper

Confession is good for the soul

Eden

I stared at Aiden with my jaw on the floor. I had no words. Well, I had many words, but my mouth forgot how to form them since my brain short-circuited. On the other hand, my heart was tossing little hearts around while performing a happy dance.

Neither my head nor my heart were on the same page. Hell, they weren't communicating. My brain couldn't form concrete thoughts while my heart acted like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. The hills are alive with... I forgot the words to that damn song.

"You okay there, buttercup?" Aiden waved his hand in front of my face while chuckling.

I shut my mouth and blinked a thousand times before finding my words. "Did you say you were in love with me?"

"Yeah, I did."

"How? It's not like we've known each other long." I needed Aiden to explain it to me since it took months to figure out my feelings for Wayne.

"Eden, there's no time frame for falling in love. It happens when it happens." He shrugged.

"How are you so sure? Shouldn't people date for a while before deciding if they're in love with someone?"

"Why should people date months on end to figure out their feelings? It either happens or it doesn't. You shouldn't sit around contemplating how you feel about someone. You just do."

"You sound so sure."

"I am. I don't need weeks or months to figure out my shit. With you, it's easy. Everything about you makes me love you."

"Really?" Now, I was acting like a schoolgirl who found out her crush liked her.

Aiden nodded. "Yes, really."

"Okay." I took a deep breath before responding. "I liked you but didn't think you liked me back. Then, I couldn't help but feel drawn to you. When your mood swings kept changing, I wasn't sure. But you would show interest yet pull away. You gave me whiplash constantly. You're a confusing person, Aiden."

Aiden chuckled softly before talking. "It had nothing to do with you, Eden. I was dealing with the situation with my ex. I spent two years drowning in guilt about it. Claire was my first girlfriend and first everything. I thought I was in love with her, but I wasn't. You can't fall in love with someone when they don't trust you with their secrets. It doesn't work."

"That's why you don't lie."

"I refuse to put someone through what I endured with Claire. It wasn't right."

"I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions about you. I haven't had the best track record with people."

"You didn't have the best people to show you differently. No one can fault you for your reaction. I don't." Aiden shrugged. Then he noticed my outfit. "Why are you wearing business casual?"

I glanced at my wrinkled blazer and dress shirt. "I had a job interview at a hotel. The manager hired me today as a housekeeper."

"Say what?"

I nodded. "I thought it would help you avoid seeing me if you changed your mind. Plus, the pay is decent."

"Fuck that job. You're returning to the cafe."

I opened my mouth, but Aiden stopped me.

"You're not working at a job where I can't see you while I'm on leave."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're quite possessive?"

"I'm territorial, not possessive."

A blush crept up my neck into my cheeks.