His Fresh Start ✔ (Book Three)

Chapter 8

"Thank you for agreeing to help me."

Aiden turned his head toward the sound of my voice and placed his guitar against one of the speakers.

"It's not a big deal. The guys could use some money, so you're the one doing them a favor."

"That's where you're wrong." I stepped further into the room and sat on one of the chairs, facing Aiden. "Your friends agreed to come all the way here to play at my event. It means a lot."

"Jim's a good guy, he's always ready to help," said Aiden. "Besides, he got what he wanted. I'm going to play with them again."

The guy couldn't fool me even if he tried. I noticed something behind the air of his faked nonchalance — something similar to longing.

"Can I ask you something?"

Aiden nodded, taking a seat on a small sofa I'd put in the room where we placed some sound equipment I didn't expect to need to use. It was funny how things never went the way we planned.

"Why did you stop playing? Both Marco and I have been listening to you. You sound like a pro."

Shrugging, Aiden clasped his hands on his knees and looked elsewhere before his eyes focused on me. "I could no longer be in the band. We moved back here; the guys stayed there. Besides, my father wants me to focus on what's important."

"What's important?" I asked.

"School. Doing what my father wants," said Aiden. I didn't miss the bitterness dripping from his words.

"What about the things you want?"

"It doesn't matter, Thierry. We can't always have what we want, can we?"

I didn't intend to make the guy uncomfortable, and I managed to do it regardless. It was time I stopped prying. Maybe Claude was wrong, and I was looking for something that wasn't there, doubting every word leaving Aiden's mouth.

"Listen, Thierry." I heard him say after a silence-filled instant. "Could you help me out with something?"

I was relieved to have another topic of conversation. "Sure. What do you need?"

Aiden ran his hand through his hair. "Well...I want to tell Ellie how I feel. We've been dating for over a month. I think it's time. The problem is, I don't know where we could go. I could take her home, but I don't want her to get the wrong idea. It's kind of early for that, I guess."

"When?"

"Tomorrow. It's Friday; we don't have to study, and the guys will arrive on Saturday. Perhaps you know places."

I smiled at his fidgeting. "Why don't you do it here at the bistro? Stay in this room where nobody will disturb you two; have dinner. Marco will lend you a hand with food."

"Damn, are you sure? I don't want to cause any—"

I laughed, not letting him continue. "Stop it for God's sake. Focus on the girl and making her remember the date."

Aiden smiled at me. "Thank you. I wish there were more people like you."

I rose to my feet and propped the now vacant chair against the wall. "I'm not perfect, Aiden," I said, making my way toward the exit, "nobody is."

***

The following evening, while Aiden and Ellie were at the bistro, I took Lou to a friend's restaurant. It was one of the upscale establishments with the casual elegant dress code for the guests and fresh flower arrangements on the tables.

Louise was certainly impressed. I knew that the waiting list to make a reservation there was long. Sometimes, being friends with the owner did help.

We enjoyed the entrées and the main dish talking about the trivial things — work, family, the upcoming fifth anniversary of the bistro.

When our desserts were on the table, it was time for the question I both wanted and dreaded to ask.

I took Lou's hand in mine and brought it to my lips, placing a soft kiss on the back of it.

"I need to know something," I began. "And I want you to be honest."

Lou's eyebrows rose. "Alright."

"Would you like to make our relationship official? I know we are dating already, but I'd like to take it to the next level."

Maybe the wording was shitty. Maybe there were many other ways to say it. I let the words tumble out of my mouth and stiffened in my plush chair, silently hoping for the best.

A timid smile graced Lou's lips. "I'd love to, Thierry."

The relieved breath I let out must've been audible judging by the giggle of the girl next to me.

I retrieved a jewelry box from my coat pocket and opened it, revealing a bracelet I'd bought for the occasion. Taking it out, I placed it on Louise's thin wrist.

Right on cue, a violinist stopped next to our table.

"You're crazy." Lou blushed, covering her mouth with her hands.

The awestruck expression didn't leave her pretty face until the final notes of the melody sounded, and some people applauded the musician, turning our table into the center of attention.

"I can't believe you've done that," said Louise when we exited the restaurant. I could see she was happy, and knowing I contributed to her excellent mood made me grin like a fool.

"Asked you to be my girlfriend? I figured it was about time. My dad will be giddy with happiness when he learns the news."

Lou stopped in her tracks and squinted at me. "Did you ask me to make it official because of your father I have yet to meet?"

Laughing, I brought her hand to my lips, noticing it was cold. The air outside was chilly and wet, making the thought of walking unappealing.

"You'll like him, Lou," I said, linking my fingers with hers. "Victor Fauber is a cool dad. He just worries about me; that's it."

Louise's perceptiveness didn't wait long to manifest itself. "Does he have any reasons to be concerned?"

There were plenty of them if I was honest with myself. I pondered my answer, knowing that a lot — maybe even everything — would depend on what I said next. A committed relationship meant trust, and I was yet to confide in Louise and tell her everything, taking the proverbial skeletons out of my closet.

Was I ready to do it? The answer was no. However, here was the truth about courage — you never knew you had it until being brave was the only option.

I glanced at my polished boots and then looked at Louise's face.

"I suggest we have some hot drinks at my place. I would like to show you something."