Blessing in Disguise (MM)

Chapter Twenty Three

ARIS' POV

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"I don't like seeing you like this," Luca comments as I wipe down the counter at Chessman's cafe. "You need to talk to Nick."

I scoff without looking at him. "Talk about what? He doesn't want to know, Luca. He said the kiss was a mistake and he's definitely standing by that statement. We barely talk when he gets home now and it's damn awkward."

Luca sighs and leans on the counter out of the corner of my eye. "But he wouldn't have kissed you if he didn't feel something."

"I think he kissed me because he got caught up in the moment. I had been texting him all day. I cooked him a special dinner and then he smashed glass and cut his hand so I patched him up." I explain as I open the dishwasher and start unloading it.

"Hold up, hold up," Luca waves his hands in front of me. "One, you cooked him a 'special' dinner?"

I nod and move the mugs to the cupboard. "He was having a bad day and I wanted to make it a little better for him."

"Right..." he trails off. "And what were you texting him about?"

My eyes move to the ceiling as I release a silent breath. "I was just reassuring him that he's doing a good job at being a single parent because he had a moment the other day and opened up to me. It wasn't anything, I was just being nice."

Luca moves closer and I glance up at him as I start unloading the utensils. "There is no way you can do all that and him not even feel a tiny bit towards you."

"Like I said, I think he was caught up in the moment," I say again and avoid Luca's eyes. "He was probably confused, I don't know. But I can't keep thinking and pondering about it because it's obvious he'd never like me like that."

"Do you like him like that?"

I shrug. "I understand that he's fighting his own battles and he doesn't always think before he speaks, but I see someone who loves their daughter, who wants the best for themselves but he's his worst enemy. When he opens up to me, I feel like I've finally cracked him and that he's letting me in for the first time. I guess I've spent a lot of time with him and he's not bad to look at after a long day, I've seen the good in him despite his harsh side."

When I look up to find Luca blinking at me over and over I realise that I've answered his question without really answering his question. "Yeah, shit." I murmur under my breath.

"Yeah, shit. Indeed." Luca's voice is quiet but firm. "You need to talk to him, Aris. This isn't healthy and anyway I'm completely biassed and you're too good for him. There I said it, I don't care. You're a saint trying to see the good in everyone."

I hum softly. "I suppose I think everyone has redeeming qualities and I don't want to keep searching for the bad when I'm with him. I want to coax the good out of him, I know he wants that too but he struggles to let go."

"My goodness," he continues to stare at me like he's seen a ghost. "I can't believe this man said your kiss was a mistake when you're talking about him like this."

The corners of my lips twitch. "Well thank you for being my favourite cheerleader but I need to be realistic. I think he's seeing someone anyway."

"What?!"

"A few nights ago, he came home with this pretty woman. I think they work together, or she works for him. He gave her some papers and then grabbed onto his arm really sensually and stared at him in the eye for a moment too long." I comment as I run a hand down my face.