Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(33)

She’d known that would be the answer, but hearing it still caused her heart to melt just a little. Poor Aidan—he’d had such plans for his big, macho dog. Instead he’d ended up with Charlie. He’d led with his heart and now he was committed.

She handed over Charlie. For a second their hands tangled. She ignored the odd tingles and raised herself on tiptoe to whisper into his ear.

“Look at you, making a commitment. First a dog. Next up, you’ll find yourself with a girlfriend.”

“One step at a time,” he told her.

She was about to step away when their eyes locked and she found she couldn’t move. Or she didn’t want to, which was practically the same thing. She liked looking at Aidan—who wouldn’t? The man was attractive. But this was more than that. This was about wanting to connect. Or something.

She told herself it was nothing but her warm fuzzies about the dog. They were friends. Only friends. Yes, she occasionally wondered what it would be like to be one of his weekend conquests. She had no doubt the man had game. But weekend encounters weren’t her style. She wanted more.

Which was generally when she reminded herself that Aidan was helping her with that and repaying him by fantasizing about making love with him wasn’t very nice of her.

“What’s the plan?”

The question came from behind her. Shelby turned and saw Eddie and Gladys.

“We heard there were going to be lots of single guys here,” Eddie said. “We’re into that. Maybe someone will want to have sex with us.”

Gladys grinned. “Not at the same time. We aren’t comfortable with the idea of a threesome.”

An unexpected conversation, especially when the two women in question were in their eighties. Aidan took a step back.

“It’s not a singles group,” he began, then paused. “I mean it’s for single people but not so they can get together.”

Eddie and Gladys looked at each other. “What are you talking about? What else are they going to do?”

“Be friends,” Shelby told them. “Mayor Marsha thought it would be good for single men and women to have a chance to be friends without the pressure of dating. Like Aidan and I are doing. We hang out and enjoy each other’s company, but as friends. Nothing more.”

“That’s stupid.” Eddie put her hands on her hips. “Are you telling me that this is platonic?” She practically spit the last word. “No one’s getting any?”

“That’s not exactly how I would put it,” Shelby began.

“Yes or no?” Gladys asked. “Sex or no sex?”

“No sex,” Shelby said.

“Ridiculous,” Eddie grumbled. “Young people today. I’ll never understand them.”

“Let’s get out of here. Maybe somebody good is working out at the gym.”

The two old ladies walked away. Aidan looked from them to the crowd gathering near the rental shack. There were about fifteen people.

“You think they’re going to take the news any better?” he asked.

“I’m not sure.” She was genuinely confused. “Why do people act like we’re doing something unnatural? This is a good thing.”

“Let’s go see if we can convince our new friends over there.”

Shelby and Aidan walked over to the group waiting. She took Charlie while he introduced himself and her, then explained Mayor Marsha’s vision for the event. Shelby put down Charlie and let him greet everyone. He was friendly and gentle and soon had all the women fussing over him.

“I don’t get it,” one of the guys, a twentysomething with blond hair and glasses, said. “I thought this was a place to get to know girls.”

“It is,” Shelby told him. “As friends.”

“I don’t want any more girls who are just friends. What’s the point?”

Shelby looked at Aidan, who shrugged.

“It’s nice,” she said. “When there’s no pressure. Aidan and I are friends and we’ve learned a lot from each other.”

A tall redhead in her late thirties frowned. “I’m with him. I thought I could meet some single guys. I work a lot and it’s hard to get out. I already have plenty of friends. I’m looking for something a little more interesting.”

Shelby saw one of the guys shift closer to her. She looked at Aidan. “Help.”

“Just give it a try,” he told the group.

The twentysomething in glasses looked doubtful. “Are you being straight with us, bro? I saw how you looked at her before. That wasn’t about being friends.”

Shelby blinked. “What are you talking about? We’re really friends. Just friends.”

Aidan nodded. “She’s right.”

“Uh-huh,” the guy said. “Whatever it takes to get through the night. I’m not going to judge.”

Aidan drew in a breath. “Let’s just give it a try, okay? Get your skates and get on the ice. Try to talk to everyone if you can. As friends.”

There was some grumbling but the group started to get ready to go out on the ice. A few had brought their own skates, the rest got in line to rent a pair.

Shelby sighed. “I’m not sure this is going to work. But we’re making the effort, so we can report back to Mayor Marsha with a clear conscience.” She looked at Aidan. “What did that guy mean about how you looked at me?”