Chapter 17

Chapter 17

After six months apart, we’d both changed. Aiden looked different thinner, with sun–lightened hair, but still unfairly handsome in that effortless way that had made half our high school swoon.

I might have been naive about people, but I always had good taste. It’s probably why I’d spent years following him around like a lovesick puppy, convincing myself that the boy next door was my destiny. Looking at him now, I could still see why but the view was different when you weren’t looking through rose–colored glasses anymore.

After a moment’s pause, I walked over with an easy smile, the kind you give distant acquaintances. “Hey,

Aiden! Didn’t expect to see you here.”

like I’d started speaking in tongues. The casual tone seemed to throw him more than anything else – no trace of our history, no hint

shaking as he grabbed my luggage. The confident

on coming

smiled, letting her know it

making my parents laugh with tales of midnight pizza runs and failed attempts at doing laundry. While we all carefully ignored Aiden’s presence, I caught him fighting back smiles in the rearview

politely deflected with that practiced suburban courtesy that says “not today” without actually saying it.

meeting up with old friends. I heard through the grapevine that he tried to catch me several times, but I was always conveniently out. Mom mentioned he’d stop by, looking like a lost

genuinely puzzled why he’d even try – what could we possibly have left to say

After our traditional family dinner (complete with my dad’s

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