Made For Us (27 page)

That smile of his did her in.
They
were
lethal, this family,
she thought. Stepping into his loose embrace, they began to sway to the music.

“Darcy has not stopped talking about you in weeks.”

“She’s a great girl. I imagine it’s not easy being the only one in such a large family of boys.”

“She holds her own. We tend to forget that she’s never had an adult woman around to help her with, you know, girl things. The fact that you made some curtains and pillows for her room made her feel like some sort of princess. It was a big wake-up call for all of us that she isn’t a tomboy.” He looked down at her and smiled. “So thank you. For everything.”

Zoe felt herself blush. “It really wasn’t a big deal. It’s what I do for a living, and just the fact that she was so excited about it made it all worthwhile.”

“Well, you’ve made a big impression on her. And that was before you came to her rescue the night of the party.”

Zoe looked down at her feet. “Some rescue. I ended up making things worse for her.”

Hugh reached down and tucked a finger under Zoe’s chin to make her look up at him. “Hey, you ended up risking your life for her and got hurt in the process. I hate that it happened like that, but you have no idea the lesson you taught her. So again, thank you.”

“May I have the next dance?” They looked over to see Riley standing there, that famous sexy grin he was known for spreading across his face. Zoe could see the family resemblance, but he was more of a hipster than the rest of them.

“Be my guest,” Hugh said and kissed Zoe on the cheek. “Thank you for the dance. It was a pleasure meeting you.”

“So, how are you feeling?” Riley asked when they finally settled in to the music. “I hear you got a bit banged up saving Darcy from herself.”

Zoe’s head was spinning by the time Riley took her in his arms and spun her around the dance floor. Not that she didn’t appreciate everyone’s concern, but she was getting tired of telling the same story. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Luckily the kid wasn’t going that fast. But what about you?” She looked around the room. “How is it that one of the biggest rock stars in the world is dancing in the middle of a crowded restaurant and no one is bothering him?”

He laughed, a full and throaty sound coming from him. “I’m old news around here. This is probably the only place I can come to without getting into too much trouble. It’s kind of nice.”

“How often do you come home?”

“Not as often as I should,” he said with a shrug. “With everything that’s happened lately, it’s sort of come to light how much we all need to reevaluate our lives. Darcy’s growing up, and it’s about time that Dad got out and started socializing and doing something more than just being a dad.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t mind that role at all.”

“Maybe. But we can all help out, especially once Darcy goes off to school. He’ll have empty-nest syndrome or something.”

Zoe’s eyes went wide. “Does that…does that mean that she’s going to school out of state?”

Riley chuckled. “It means that we’re more open to the possibility. I think that’s all she really wanted, you know? She just wanted to know that she was allowed to choose. She may stay close to home or she could move across the country, but either way, she has a choice.”

Zoe almost sagged with relief. “I’m so glad. That’s awesome.” The music came to an end and the band announced they were going to take a short break. “Thanks for the dance, Riley. And it was really nice meeting you.” She held out a hand to shake his and giggled again when he kissed her hand instead. “I’d better call that cab.”

“Don’t be silly. Come and join us. They’re getting ready to bring out the cake. Darcy would love it, and we’ll take you home. It took three cars to get us all here, so I’m sure that we can fit you in one of them to get home.”

She shook her head firmly. “Sorry. No. I need to get going.”

“Please stay,” he said softly, a slow smile crossing his lips.

“Really…I…I can’t. Thank you for the offer and please wish Darcy a happy birthday for me, but I have to go.” Rushing off the dance floor, Zoe got back to the table and fumbled for her purse.

“Can I get you anything else?” The waitress appeared next to the table as Zoe was collecting her things.

“Actually, I need to call for a cab,” Zoe whispered.

“Follow me,” the waitress said. “We have a list of cab companies up by the podium.”

Well, that’s a relief
, Zoe thought. She’d figured the restaurant would keep a list of trustworthy cabs for their clientele. “Thank you.”

After making the call, she sat in the lobby and waited. When she looked at her watch and saw it would be at least another ten minutes, she decided to run to the ladies room to kill some time. She washed her hands and checked her hair and makeup and tried to ignore the sadness in her eyes. She’d had a lovely dinner with a friend and had finally gone dancing—and had three incredibly handsome dance partners including one of the biggest rock stars in the world—and yet all she wanted to do was go home, put on her pajamas, curl up in a ball, and cry.

Forcing the negative thoughts away for the time being, she stepped out of the ladies room and the maître d’ announced that her cab was waiting. She thanked him and walked outside and looked around.

And saw Aidan standing between her and the cab.

“Hi,” he said.

She couldn’t have spoken even if she’d wanted to. Her mouth had gone completely dry, and she was shaking like a leaf. With a simple nod of her head, Zoe figured she conveyed her greeting. She cautiously stepped forward and hoped she’d be able to simply walk around him, get in the cab, and leave.

“I hear Bobby got called away.”

“Mm-hm,” she said and did her best to keep her eyes on the cab. Just a few more feet…

“Riley said he invited you to join us. There’s more than enough room at the table and Darcy would have loved it. Why didn’t you?”

Was he serious? She halted in her tracks and turned to face him. “You did
not
really just ask that question.”

“Actually,” he said mildly, “I believe I did.”

“You… I just…” She let out shriek of frustration. “Look, you told me to stay away from your family and I have. I was respecting your wishes. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m sure the meter is already running.”

“Tell the driver he can leave. I’ll take you home,” he said, placing his hands in his pockets.

“Why?” she asked and it was almost a sob. “Damn it, Aidan, what are you doing out here?”

“Bobby should have taken you home. What kind of man leaves a woman at a restaurant to call a cab to take her home?”

“It was
police
business
and I didn’t want to hold him up,” she said. “There was no time for him to drive me home and get to whatever emergency it was that they needed him for. So if you’ll excuse me,
again,
my cab is waiting.”

“I’ll take you home.”

Zoe was two steps away, her hand reaching for the door handle when he said it, and she slowly turned around and faced him. It took almost a full minute before she could force herself to respond. And it was with a laugh, a near-hysterical laugh. “You’re kidding, right?”

He shook his head. “Mmm…no.”

“I don’t think so.” She turned to open the cab door when he reached out and gently grasped one of her wrists to stop her. Unable to help herself, Zoe swung around and shoved his hand off her, but the twisting motion hurt her ribs and made her to cry out in pain.

“Damn you, Aidan. Just…just leave me alone!” Wrapping one arm around her middle, she once again turned toward the cab but Aidan stepped in front of her and put his arm around her waist and just held it there.

“Why?” she asked, cursing the tremble in her voice. “Why couldn’t you just stay inside and leave me alone?”

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. “Please let me drive you home, Zoe,” he said quietly. “Please.”

She was too tired to argue and now she was mildly in pain. “Fine.” She sighed and stepped back as he leaned into the cab and paid the driver and sent him on his way. A minute later he quietly led her to his truck. He helped her to climb in before walking around and settling in behind the wheel. “What about your family? Won’t they wonder where you went?”

“Maybe,” he replied and left it at that.

They drove the entire way to her apartment in silence. It was the most awkward twenty minutes of Zoe’s life, and she sagged with relief when her building came into view. Aidan did a U-turn so she would be climbing out right by her door. He came to a stop and Zoe’s hand immediately went to the door handle so she could make a quick escape.

But Aidan was quicker.

As soon as her feet hit the pavement, he was there in front of her. He guided her away from the truck and closed the door. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine,” she said, refusing to make eye contact with him. “Thank you for the ride home. I appreciate it.” It killed her to even have to say it. She would have appreciated it more if he had let her take the cab home like she had planned, but there was no point in splitting hairs about it now.

“Can I…” he began and then cleared his voice. “I would like to take you out for coffee sometime, if that’s all right with you.”

This time she did look up at him. “I’m moving back to Arizona next week. I have a lot to do before I go.”

“Oh,” he said quietly. “I didn’t realize that was actually happening.”

She nodded. “It is.” Looking over toward her door, she struggled for something to say. “So…yeah. Thanks again for the ride and…take care of yourself.” Not wanting to engage in any more conversation, she turned toward the door and looked up to her windows and froze.

“What’s the matter?” Aidan asked, noticing the direction of Zoe’s stare.

“I turned off all the lights when I left,” she said distractedly. “I’m sure of it.” Turning to look at him, she pointed at the window. “I’m not crazy, right? There’s light coming from my apartment.”

Aidan stepped up behind her and looked up. “There’s definitely a light on up there.” He shrugged. “You probably just forgot one.”

She turned around with annoyance. “I did not forget to turn off the lights, Aidan. I’m positive of it.” Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her phone.

“What are you doing?”

“If someone broke in, I’m going to call the police.”

“Zoe, you don’t know that someone broke in. C’mon. I’ll go upstairs with you and if someone broke in, I’ll wait with you until the cops come, okay?”

She was more willing to take a risk with a burglar than she was with him, but it was obvious he wasn’t going to just leave. “Fine. Here.” She handed him her keys and let him go inside first. They made it through the main floor door and then walked up the stairs to the second door. “Wait,” Zoe whispered as he was about to put the key in the lock. “Do you hear that?”

“Hear what?”

“Open the door,” she said quickly. “There’s noise coming from inside. Voices. Like the TV or the radio or something.”

Aidan opened the door and stepped aside as Zoe rushed by him.

And stopped in her tracks.

“What the…? How…?” Turning, she looked at him. “I don’t understand.” The entire room was bathed in candlelight and there was soft music coming from the stereo that she had sworn she’d packed already. “Who would do this?”

Quietly, Aidan closed the door behind him, walked up behind her, took her purse from her hands, and put it on the nearest table along with her phone. Zoe was still standing there, lost in confusion, when he came up behind her and slowly wrapped his arms around her waist.

And began to sway to the music.

She stiffened in his arms before slowly turning her head around to look at him. The question was stuck in her throat at the expression on his face. Her eyes went wide as he maneuvered them until she was facing him and they were actually dancing to the slow music playing in the corner.

“Why?” she whispered, her gaze looking less guarded as it washed over his face.

Aidan gripped her tighter, bringing her closer to him. “It occurred to me that I never did give you that candlelight,” he said quietly, his blue eyes watching hers. “Or took you dancing. I should have.”

A shaky sigh escaped before she could stop it. “Oh.” With a sigh, she melted against him, luxuriating in the feel of being in his arms. Part of her argued that she should be mad at him and not make this easy, but another part—the part that was all girly and glowing from this romantic gesture—told her to shut up and just enjoy being close to him again.

Zoe lost track of time and had no idea how long they just swayed to the music. Aidan’s hand was splayed across her lower back and every once in a while, she’d feel him kiss her gently on her temple. Looking around the room, she finally allowed herself to take in the scene—there were close to a hundred white candles scattered around the room along with bouquets of flowers, tons of them.

The music finally stopped playing, and she lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him, really looked at him. “This was pretty romantic of you,” she said softly, a hint of a smile on her lips.

“Well, I can’t take all of the credit,” he said, smiling down at her, still swaying even though the music had stopped.

“No?”

He shook his head. “Someone gave me the idea about the candles a while ago. I just didn’t listen.”

“Silly man.”

“I can see that now.” Taking a fortifying breath, Aidan placed both of his hands on Zoe’s hips and put some distance between them. “I’m so sorry, Zoe. For everything.” He looked down at the ground before looking at her again. “I have no excuse for the way I behaved. I know I hurt you and I was wrong. Tell me I’m not too late. Tell me I haven’t ruined everything.”

Her mind was racing. It was sensual sensory overload—the candles, the flowers…Aidan… Deep down, Zoe knew she didn’t really want to leave. It was the thought of being close to Aidan and not being able to be with him that was making her run. But the thought of trusting him again…trusting
them
again… It wasn’t as easy a decision as she would have thought.