Chapter 19

Chapter 19

He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and his usually perfect hair a mess–like he hadn’t slept in days.

“Aiden? What are you doing in California?” Standing there in his East Coast winter coat, he looked completely out of place among the palm trees and students in t–shirts.

“Wanted to see your school. See how you’re doing out here.” His voice was rough, like he’d been practicing this moment but still wasn’t ready.

I kept my tone deliberately light, casual. “It’s amazing here! The food scene is incredible – they have these amazing fusion restaurants downtown. You should definitely check them out while you’re in town.”

his disheveled hair. “Can’t you… show me around? Just once? For

figure out how to let him down gently, another

she’s already got plans. You’ll have to get in line.” Jake appeared beside me, positioning himself protectively between us, his

– Jake with his sun–bleached hair and laid–back vibe,

new world.

voice had an edge I couldn’t quite place. Jealousy? Hurt? After all these years of him taking

no reason to explain myself anymore. That part of our story was over. “Sorry, Aiden, but we’ve got

who seemed reluctant to move, still locked in some unspoken guy–code standoff. “Come on, you promised to take me to that amazing farm–to–table place in wine country, remember? It’s a long drive,

pull him away, but not before shooting one last challenging look at Aiden -the kind that clearly said “she’s moved

stood alone at the gates, a shadow under the palm trees, looking more lost than I’d ever seen him. The golden boy who’d

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