42

“Talking. Right.”

He brushed past me, shaking his head. “Leave it alone.”

In the elevator, I met his suddenly vulnerable eyes. “It’s fruitless to resist, Aiden. Those girls are headstrong. She’s been interested since the day in the boutique. Before even.”

“I’m not in the market for what she is looking for.”

“You mean a relationship?”

“Yes.”

“Neither was I. Emmy proved me wrong.” I stopped him before he exited the elevator, my voice low and serious. “She’s a great girl. You like her; she likes you. I think she’d be good for you. Don’t cut yourself off again. What do you have to lose?”

“You know the answer to that.”

“Give it a chance. You deserve to be happy.”

“No, I don’t deserve anything of the sort.” With those words, he hurried past me.

I watched his retreating figure with sadness. He did deserve it. I wasn’t sure how I could make him see it, yet I knew I had to try.

* * *

I arrived home late, and Andrew met me at the elevator.

“Sir.”

“Andrew—how was your day?”

“Excellent. Miss Harr