Chapter 14: Dinner for Two
993 Words
Emma regretted saying yes the moment she stepped out of the bookstore.
Aiden leaned against his sleek black car, arms crossed, a smirk playing at his lips. The streetlights cast a glow over his features, making him look effortlessly handsome—as if he belonged on a movie poster rather than standing in front of her small bookstore.
“This is a mistake,” Emma muttered under her breath.
Aiden raised an eyebrow. “Are you always this dramatic, or am I just special?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m serious. We’re just getting food. This isn’t a date.”
Aiden held up his hands in mock surrender. “Got it. Not a date.”
Emma exhaled and reluctantly walked toward his car. He opened the passenger door for her, and she hesitated for a second before getting in. The car smelled like a mix of expensive leather and whatever cologne Aiden used—clean, warm, and irritatingly pleasant.
Aiden slid into the driver’s seat, started the car, and pulled onto the road. “So, what are you in the mood for? Italian? Sushi? Burgers?”
Emma shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. Just something simple.”
He glanced at her. “Simple, huh? Somehow, I feel like you’re the type to secretly love fancy dinners.”
She snorted. “Please. Give me a good burger over some overpriced, bite-sized dish any day.”
Aiden grinned. “See? That’s why I like you.”
Emma stiffened. “You don’t like me.”
He chuckled. “I do like messing with you, though.”
She huffed. “Of course you do.”
Aiden ended up taking her to a small diner just outside the city—a hidden gem he claimed had the best burgers. The place was cozy, with red vinyl booths, checkered floors, and the smell of sizzling meat in the air.
Emma slid into a booth, and Aiden sat across from her, flashing her a boyish grin.
“Trust me, you’ll love it here,” he said, picking up the menu.
The waitress—a middle-aged woman with kind eyes—came over and did a double take when she saw Aiden. “Well, I’ll be. Ain’t you that actor fella?”
Aiden smiled. “Guilty.”
The woman fanned herself with her notepad. “My granddaughter loves you. I swear, she’s watched all your movies a hundred times.”
Aiden chuckled. “Tell her I said hi.”
Emma watched the exchange with mild amusement. As much as she hated to admit it, Aiden was good with people.
After the waitress took their orders, Aiden leaned back and studied Emma. “So, tell me something about yourself that I don’t already know.”
Emma hesitated. “Like what?”
He shrugged. “Anything. What’s your favorite book?”
She arched an eyebrow. “You expect me to pick one?”
Aiden grinned. “Fair point. Top three, then.”
Emma thought for a moment. “Pride and Prejudice, The Night Circus, and The Song of Achilles.”
Aiden nodded. “Classic, magical, and heartbreaking. Interesting mix.”
Emma smirked. “And what about you, Mr. Hollywood? Do you even read?”
Aiden gasped dramatically. “I’m offended.”
She chuckled. “Fine, prove me wrong. Favorite book?”
Aiden tapped his chin. “The Great Gatsby.”
Emma tilted her head. “Huh. Didn’t peg you for a Fitzgerald fan.”
Aiden smirked. “What did you peg me as?”
She pretended to think. “Someone who only reads scripts and movie contracts.”
He laughed. “Ouch.”
The waitress returned with their food, and Emma’s stomach rumbled at the sight of her burger. She took a bite and immediately groaned.
“Okay,” she admitted. “You were right. This is the best burger.”
Aiden grinned. “Told you.”
For a while, they ate in comfortable silence. It was… nice. Which was exactly what worried Emma.
She had spent so much time trying to convince herself that she didn’t like Aiden, that he was just some arrogant celebrity passing through her life. But moments like this—when he was relaxed, teasing, real—made it dangerously hard to keep her guard up.
And then he went and made it worse.
“You know,” Aiden said casually, “I think I like this version of you.”
Emma frowned. “What version?”
He gestured toward her. “The one who isn’t glaring at me like she wants to strangle me.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Don’t get used to it.”
Aiden chuckled. “Too late.”
Her stomach did that annoying little flip again, and she quickly focused on her food.
After dinner, Aiden insisted on paying despite Emma’s protests.
“I invited you,” he said simply. “It’s only fair.”
Emma sighed but let him win this round.
As they walked out of the diner, a cool breeze brushed against her skin. She crossed her arms, rubbing them lightly. Aiden noticed and, without a word, shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
Emma froze. “I… You didn’t have to—”
Aiden smirked. “Relax, Sunshine. It’s just a jacket.”
She bit her lip, feeling strangely flustered.
They reached his car, and he opened the door for her. As she slipped inside, she caught him watching her with an unreadable expression.
“What?” she asked.
Aiden hesitated. Then, with a small smile, he said, “Nothing. Just… I’m glad you came tonight.”
Emma swallowed. “Yeah. Me too.”
As he shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side, Emma stared out the window, her heart hammering.
This was dangerous.
Because for the first time since meeting Aiden Carter, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to keep fighting whatever was happening between them.
And that scared her more than anything.
- Writer
