LOGINAiden continued, clearly enjoying himself. “There was a time I genuinely thought he was gay.”“Aiden,” Braxton said again, his voice lower.“What? You want me to lie?”I pressed my lips together, trying to contain my reaction.Aiden shrugged. “He had absolutely no interest in women. None. I watched him turn down invitations, ignore women who practically threw themselves at him, and spend every waking hour working. I eventually decided there had to be another explanation.”No fucking way.I couldn’t help it. A small laugh escaped me.Braxton turned his eyes towards me. “Don’t encourage him.”“I haven’t said anything.”“Your face has.”I lowered my gaze to my cup, but the smile remained.Aiden pointed his spoon at Braxton. “And now look at him. His heart is so cold, I used to think nothing could get through to him.”“Can you finish your gelato without talking about me?”“But apparently, his heart isn’t completely cold after all.”Aiden glanced at me.“Not when it comes to Rosie.”I felt
The last of my lemonade was almost gone when Ivy suggested we take a walk.“I don’t want to go straight back to the villa,” she said, setting her glass down. “We can stroll around for a bit. Let's get gelato.”I looked towards the narrow streets running along the coast. The afternoon was still warm, and the thought of going back to the villa only to spend the rest of the day indoors didn’t appeal to me.“I’m in,” I said.Braxton gave a small nod. “Then let’s go.”We paid for our drinks and left the terrace, joining the steady stream of people walking along the seafront. Positano was still lively. Tourists wandered through the streets with cameras and shopping bags, while the smell of food drifted out from the restaurants lining the road.Ivy walked beside Aiden, their hands joined. Every now and then, she pointed something out to him, and he listened with the sort of attention that made it obvious he was happy to be wherever she was.Braxton walked beside me.For a while, none of us s
“We should get in,” Aiden said. “We didn’t come all this way just to stand around looking at the beach.”Ivy immediately turned towards him.“I’m in.”I looked at the water. It was inviting, especially with the afternoon sun warming the beach.“Why not?” I said.Braxton glanced at me before looking towards the sea.“Do you have your swimwear?” he asked.“I brought one.”“Good. We can find somewhere to change.”Ivy was already looking towards the beach facilities, clearly eager to get into the water.I was beginning to enjoy the day, and a swim sounded like exactly what I needed.We found a nearby beach club with changing facilities and rented a spot for our belongings. After changing, we made our way back towards the water.The sea was cooler than I expected when I first stepped in. I paused, letting the water reach my waist before moving further.Ivy was already laughing as Aiden pulled her towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he leaned down to kiss her.I smiled at
Once inside, I placed my phone on the bedside table and walked towards the wardrobe. I went through my clothes and eventually settled on a simple, flowy summer dress. It was comfortable enough for walking around, and the light fabric was perfect for the warm weather. I paired it with flat sandals and picked up a small handbag.After getting dressed, I brushed my hair and applied a little makeup before checking my reflection in the mirror.I looked fine.I picked up my phone and glanced at the time. I didn’t want to keep the others waiting.I took one last look at my reflection before stepping out.As I closed the door behind me, Ivy came out of her room across the hallway. She was already dressed, her handbag hanging from her shoulder.“Right on time,” she said.We walked downstairs together.When we reached the sitting area, Braxton and Aiden were already waiting. Aiden stood near the glass doors, looking out towards the garden, while Braxton sat on the couch with his phone in one ha
For a second, he simply looked at Braxton. Something passed between them, something I couldn’t quite understand.“Sorry, man,” Aiden said quietly. “You’re going to be a great dad.”Braxton lowered his gaze to the table.I glanced at Ivy.She was already looking at me, her brows slightly drawn together. I could tell she had noticed the sudden change too.I looked back at Braxton.What was his issue with his father?First, he didn’t have a last name because he didn’t want to answer his father’s name. Now, Aiden had barely made a joke about him becoming a strict father, and he’d reacted like that.There was clearly something behind it.And judging by the look on his face, it wasn’t something pleasant.He looked genuinely hurt.I wanted to ask what was wrong, but I didn’t know if I had the right to.Before I could think of anything else, my stomach let out a loud growl.I froze.My eyes widened as I looked down at myself.Oh, God.I could feel heat creeping up my cheeks.Aiden looked at m
I woke up to sunlight slipping through the curtains.For a few seconds, I lay still, trying to remember where I was. Then I glanced around the unfamiliar room, and everything from the previous night came rushing back.I reached for my phone on the bedside table.11:07 a.m.My eyes widened.“Seriously?”I had slept through the entire morning.I pushed the covers aside and got out of bed. After a quick shower, I dressed in a pair of comfortable shorts and a light blouse. I brushed my hair and checked my reflection in the mirror.Satisfied, I picked up my phone and headed downstairs.As I approached the living area, I heard Ivy laughing.I smiled before I even saw her.When I walked further inside, I found her sitting comfortably on Aiden’s lap, one arm draped around his shoulders. Aiden was laughing at something she had said, while Braxton sat on the opposite couch, chuckling quietly.I slowed down for a moment.They seemed to be having a good time.I walked a little further into the ro
I got home, but my head wouldn’t stop spinning. What the hell just happened back there? What does he mean by he wants to marry me instead? Who does this man think he is?After a long, hot shower, I tied my hair up, threw on a big T-shirt, and dragged myself to the kitchen to make cereal. I had just
For a moment, I just stood there like an idiot, staring at him. My brain refused to process what I was seeing. Of all people in this world, it had to be him.My first instinct was to turn around and leave, but my feet didn’t move. His eyes held me there. His gaze moved slowly from my face to my exp
Three weeks have passed already, and I keep telling myself I’m healing. Heartbreak is never easy, but I’ve learned how to mask it, at least on the outside. Forgetting that asshole wasn’t something that happened overnight, especially when I see him and his so-called sister every single day at work.
My fiancé moaned another woman’s name while I was on top of him.It was supposed to be a celebration. His big night. A new promotion. I wanted to give him everything, and I was close, so close to my climax when the name fell from his lips.“Lisa… fuck yes.”For a second I froze, thinking maybe I ha







