Chapter 15: Crossing the Line
1025 Words
The ride back to the bookstore was strangely quiet.
Emma wasn’t sure if it was the lingering warmth of Aiden’s jacket around her shoulders or the way he occasionally glanced at her when he thought she wasn’t looking.
Either way, she hated how aware she was of him.
She kept telling herself this was just dinner. Just a casual meal between two people who happened to be in each other’s lives for the moment. Nothing more.
But the way her heart was still racing said otherwise.
Aiden pulled up in front of the store, shifting into park. He turned to Emma with a lazy smirk. “So, did I manage to charm you even a little tonight?”
Emma scoffed. “Not even close.”
He chuckled, but something in his expression softened. “Liar.”
Emma opened the door before he could see the way her face warmed. “Goodnight, Aiden.”
Before she could step out, he reached over, gently grabbing her wrist. “Wait.”
She froze, her breath catching as his fingers brushed against her skin.
Aiden hesitated, as if debating something. Then he exhaled and let go. “Sleep well, Sunshine.”
Emma didn’t respond. She just slipped out of the car and hurried inside before she could do something really stupid—like admit that she wanted him to kiss her.
The next morning, Emma woke up with an uneasy feeling in her chest.
Last night had felt like a shift—like the line she’d been trying to draw between herself and Aiden had started to blur.
And she didn’t know how to fix it.
She busied herself with work, hoping it would distract her. But by the afternoon, she realized she had a bigger problem—Aiden hadn’t shown up.
Not that she cared, of course.
She told herself it was a good thing. Maybe he had finally lost interest in annoying her. Maybe she could go back to normal.
But when she checked her phone for the third time, only to see no new messages, she frowned.
Lily, who had been watching her all morning, finally smirked. “Just text him.”
Emma nearly dropped her clipboard. “What? No! Why would I do that?”
Lily raised an eyebrow. “Because you’ve been all weird and fidgety since this morning.”
Emma scoffed. “I am not fidgety.”
Lily just gave her a look. “Fine. Don’t text him. But you are wondering where he is.”
Emma refused to dignify that with a response.
Instead, she focused on the day’s deliveries, determined to ignore the strange little knot in her stomach.
By evening, Emma had almost convinced herself she didn’t care.
Almost.
She was in the middle of closing up when the bell above the door chimed.
Her heart did a stupid little jump—until she turned around and saw someone who wasn’t Aiden.
A tall woman with sleek blonde hair and designer heels strode inside, looking out of place among the shelves of books.
Emma frowned. “Can I help you?”
The woman’s red lips curled into a smile. “I certainly hope so.”
Emma crossed her arms. “And you are…?”
The woman stepped closer. “Olivia Monroe.”
Emma blinked. The name sounded vaguely familiar.
Olivia smirked. “I see you don’t recognize me. That’s refreshing. Most people do.”
Emma arched an eyebrow. “Should I?”
Olivia tilted her head, studying her. “I was Aiden’s last real relationship.”
Emma’s stomach dropped.
She quickly schooled her expression, refusing to react. “And?”
Olivia’s smirk widened. “And I figured I should meet the woman the internet is obsessed with right now.”
Emma exhaled sharply. “I don’t know what you think is happening between me and Aiden, but—”
“Oh, I know what’s happening,” Olivia interrupted, her tone light but edged with something sharp. “And I also know Aiden better than anyone.”
Emma clenched her jaw. “Is there a point to this conversation?”
Olivia sighed dramatically. “I just thought I’d offer some friendly advice.”
Emma waited, arms crossed.
Olivia leaned in slightly. “Aiden doesn’t do commitment. He likes the chase. He gets bored.”
Emma’s nails dug into her palms.
Olivia smiled. “So if you’re hoping for something real, I’d be careful.”
Emma met her gaze evenly. “Thanks for the warning. But I don’t need it.”
Olivia studied her for a moment before smirking. “Suit yourself.”
With that, she turned on her heel and sauntered out the door, leaving Emma standing there, heart pounding.
That night, Emma couldn’t stop thinking about Olivia’s words.
Aiden doesn’t do commitment.
He gets bored.
Was that true? Was she just some temporary distraction for him?
Her phone buzzed, snapping her from her thoughts.
Aiden.
Aiden: Hey, Sunshine. Miss me?
Emma stared at the screen, her stomach twisting.
Then, before she could talk herself out of it, she typed back.
Emma: Where were you today?
Aiden’s reply came almost instantly.
Aiden: Didn’t think you’d notice.
Emma hesitated.
Emma: I didn’t. Just curious.
Aiden sent a winking emoji.
Aiden: Had some meetings. Why? Did you miss me?
Emma frowned. Did she?
She shook her head, pushing the thought away.
Emma: Lily wanted to know.
Aiden didn’t reply right away. When he did, it was unexpected.
Aiden: Meet me for coffee tomorrow.
Emma blinked.
She should say no. She should put more distance between them.
But then she remembered Olivia’s smirk. The way she had spoken like she knew Emma would just be another name on Aiden’s long list of temporary flings.
And maybe it was a bad idea, but Emma wasn’t about to let someone like Olivia tell her what to do.
So, before she could change her mind, she typed:
Emma: Fine. But you’re buying.
Aiden’s response came instantly.
Aiden: Wouldn’t dream of anything else, Sunshine.
Emma put her phone down, her heart racing.
This was a bad idea.
She knew that.
But somehow, she couldn’t seem to stay away.
- Writer
