Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)(42)

He cut her off with a quick shake of his head. “As my friend, you need to respect my wishes on this. Let it go. I’m fine.” He suddenly figured out how to distract her. “What about you? You must have needs.”

She flushed a delightful shade of pink and ducked her head. “I wasn’t getting any before. This isn’t new for me.”

“But you’re dealing.”

“Of course.”

“Then do me the courtesy of assuming I can do the same.”

They started walking back to the house. When they got there, Charlie led the way inside. He waited patiently while his leash was unsnapped, then did a couple of quick laps around the living room.

Shelby stood in front of Aidan and raised her gaze to his.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I do worry about you, but you obviously don’t want to talk about it anymore. I need to respect that. I promise, I won’t mention it again.”

What he said was “Thank you.” What he thought was, there was no way his luck was that good.





CHAPTER TEN

AIDAN WAS CONCERNED about Shelby keeping her word, but the next couple of weeks passed without any mention of his needs, or lack of getting any, or however it was she was phrasing it today. Unfortunately his desire for her wasn’t as easily managed. It seemed that every time they were together, he found something even more delightful and sexy about her. Whether it was the way she spoke to Charlie in a sweet aren’t-you-a-cute-puppy? voice or how she carefully carried the cake she’d made for his mom.

Elaine cut into it immediately and served up generous slices of coconut mango layer cake. Aidan took a bite and held in a groan. Talk about double the goodness. Not only did he get credit for bringing his mom the cake he hadn’t made, but he got to taste it, as well.

Elaine sighed as she swallowed. “Shelby, I don’t know how you do it, but everything you bring over is better than the one before. I keep thinking that’s not possible. You have found your calling.”

“Thank you. I’ve been missing summer and this cake seemed the perfect way to bring those months to mind.”

“They’ll be here soon enough.” His mother turned to him. “It’s been a long time since you’ve brought a girl around, Aidan. But I have to say, Shelby has been worth the wait. Remember that awful goth girl in high school? Everything about her was so grim. Not just the clothes and makeup, but the way she talked about death all the time. I never knew what you saw in her. Shelby, on the other hand, makes perfect sense.”

Aidan decided not to mention that part of Caitlyn’s appeal had been her willingness to go to third base. Nothing his mother needed to know. As for Shelby, he exchanged a look with her. She mouthed I know, as if she got it.

Twenty minutes later, they were in his truck.

“I’ve told her at least five times that we’re not dating,” he said as he turned onto the main road that would take them back to town. “I don’t know what else to do.”

“We should get one of those giant banners and hang it in the center of town,” she grumbled. “I know exactly what you mean. No one believes me, either. We are not a couple. We are friends. Why is that so incredibly hard to grasp?”

He knew why his buddies were having trouble. No male still breathing could look at Shelby and not want her. They all thought he was an idiot for not at least trying to make a run at her. And while his entire body agreed, his head knew differently. He liked Shelby. A lot. He wanted to be with her the way they were. Talking and hanging out and having fun. If they had sex, all that would go away. Things would get complicated.

She sighed. “I can deal if you can.”

“I can.”

“Good. Because this is working. I’m more comfortable around men. Last week, when we played darts with your friends, I was totally fine.”

“I’m getting in touch with my feminine side.” He grinned. “If you tell anyone that, I’ll deny it to your face.”

She laughed. “I would never tell a soul. It’s just so strange. You and I are great. It’s everyone else. I wish there was a way to have an honest conversation with the whole town. To just tell them what’s going on.”

“They would never believe us. They think we’re a couple.”

“Practically married.” She drew in a breath. “Oh, Aidan, I have a very bad idea. Tell me no. You have to tell me no.”

Blood immediately heated and headed to his groin. He had to clear his throat before he could speak.

“What is it?”

She turned to him. “It’s April Fool’s in a couple of days. Let’s take out an ad in the paper saying we’re married. A full-page ad. Everyone will go crazy. Then we can print a retraction and maybe they’ll get how ridiculous they’ve been.”

Okay, not exactly the “I desperately want you in my bed” that he’d been hoping for, but a funny second choice. Nick would freak, as would his friends.

“It might get people off our backs.” He grinned. “I say we go for it.”

*

SHELBY HELD HER beautiful niece in her arms. Tonya slept in her cocoon of blankets. One tiny hand clenched and unclenched, as if she was dreaming.

The baby’s room was quiet and soothing. Destiny sat in the other chair, her red hair pulled back in a ponytail, her eyes closed.