So Many Boys (The Naughty List #2)(27)

I smiled, wrapping both hands around my nearly empty cup. After Joel walked away, Aiden plopped down across from me, but it was obvious something was wrong. His eyes were a little red and his T-shirt was wrinkled. I was suddenly filled with dread. Why did he look so upset? Especially when he’d stayed behind to look for me?

“You look positively dismal, Aiden. Is everything okay?” I reached over to put my icy fingers on his. He looked down and smiled weakly. When he finally lifted his head, he stared deep into my eyes. But rather than being comforting, his gaze was completely unsettling. There was something on his mind.

“Everything’s all right,” he finally said, squeezing my hand reassuringly. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. When I saw you sitting here earlier…you just looked so sad. I couldn’t leave you like that.”

“Aww…” He really was sweet as honey.

“I—”

“Oh my God! A!”

My stomach twisted as Chloe Ferril came out from behind a bookshelf and beelined straight for my ex. Drats! She hadn’t left after all. And now she was taking away my Aiden time. I might have growled under my breath.

“Uh…hey,” Aiden said, looking back at me. I had just opened my mouth to talk when Chloe leaned in for a quick hug.

I tried not to let my blood boil over, seeing them together again. I had a lot of bad memories there. And it certainly didn’t help that Chloe’s red nails were clutching Aiden’s tanned skin possessively.

“Hey, Tessa,” she said without looking at me. Then she reached out to brush at Aiden’s hair. “You look so grown,” she cooed. “Oh, did you know that Mrs. Foster mentioned you in class the other day? It was so funny. She…”

The remains of my Frappuccino melted in my hand as I watched Chloe ramble on, obviously excited about Aiden’s return. And even though she still looked gothy—black blouse, dark eyeliner, heavy boots—her cle**age had made a return. Hm…you’d think she’d known to expect him.

“Did you want to grab a coffee?” she asked him, motioning toward the barista. She glanced at the clearly empty drink in my hand but didn’t invite me. The claws were about to come out.

It didn’t matter if Aiden and I were technically broken up; he could not—absolutely not—drink any kind of beverage with Chloe. If he said yes to her, there might be a Kitten fight in here.

“Sorry,” Aiden said, running a hand over his newly shortened hair, looking uncomfortable. “I have to head back up to school. I was just stopping to see Tessa.” Aiden looked at me and my stomach stopped twisting.

“Sure,” Chloe said, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. “Well, I guess I’ll catch you next time you’re in town. Talk to you soon.”

She had started to walk toward the other side of the store when she paused and turned to me. “Hey, Tessa.” She smiled broadly, looking proud to have touched my ex-boyfriend in front of me. “Could you stop following me now? You’re really starting to creep me out.”

I squeaked with surprise, nearly too stunned to answer. I could feel Aiden glaring at me as I nodded. For the first time, I’d been busted while spying. It was humiliating!

With that Chloe spun toward the exit doors, looking completely pleased with calling me out.

“So,” Aiden said to me. I looked over, and he put his elbow on the table and rested his chin in his palm. “I’m not even going to ask what that was about.”

“Good.”

He shook his head. “You make me crazy, you know that, right? I couldn’t keep you out of trouble even if I tried.”

“Probably not,” I agreed. My entire body was tense with the situation. I couldn’t believe I’d been spotted. How was that possible? I’d been so careful.

“And you didn’t have to growl,” Aiden added. “I wasn’t going to get coffee with her.”

I laughed softly. So I actually growled? Even more embarrassing. “Aiden, you could have if you wanted. I’m not trying to hold you back.” But I was just saying that to sound less needy. Fact was, I was trying to hold on to him.

Aiden twitched his mouth, staring down at the table. “About that.” He paused, his green eyes not nearly as sparkly as before. “I was thinking…maybe you should consider dating a little. Other people, I mean.”

My entire body went rigid. I couldn’t respond; I just stared back at him, not moving.

“It’s just,” he continued, seeming to struggle with the words. “You’re so unhappy, baby. And I know I’m the reason—”

“Are you seeing other people?” Please say no. Please say no.

“No.”

I exhaled, completely relieved. But I couldn’t shake the stress rushing through me. “I don’t want to see anyone else, Aiden,” I whispered, trying to smile. “I like being with you.”

He pressed his lips together, reaching out to run his index finger down the skin of my arm. “I like being with you too. Sorry I brought it up.”

Well, glad that was settled. I would have pushed him to explain his thinking, or maybe the old Tessa would have, but I was completely stressed out. I needed to figure out (a) how to catch the copy-Kitten, (b) how to help the squad, and (c) what the hay was up with Aiden and me.