Chapter 74
It had been a week since Kyle got suspended.
The police had been around to ask more questions and to locate the camera in my room. I was relieved when it was finally gone. Part of me hadn’t wanted to see it because that meant ! would have to admit what had happened was true. However, there was also a part of me that wanted to see it to know that the police had found it and my room was once again my safe
haven.
Going to school had been hard and awkward. There was no Kyle but also, there was no Noah. That was the only thing that made it bearable. The rest of the time it was excruciating. Overnight I had gone from being invisible to the one everyone was gossiping about. It wasn’t like they were being discreet either. I’d walk into class and all eyes were on me in a second. I just had to keep telling myself that eventually something else would come along and I’d be forgotten about once more.
1
Friday came quickly like a blessing. It wasn’t until my shift finished that I felt like I could finally release a breath and let the weight of the week slip from my shoulders. Outside the weather was becoming colder with snow already falling on the hills and mountains. Halloween was just next week and then we’d have thanksgiving hot on its heels. Neither holiday really meant much to me. I don’t think I’ve ever celebrated either. The closest I’ve probably come to it was when a group of college kids came in dressed up for a party.
It’s not something that’s really bothered me as weird as that might sound. I guess you can’t miss something you never really had. While the rest of the world went crazy for candy, horror movies or turkey, I was happy just going about life as if it was just any other day.
I said goodnight to Shirley and grabbed my bag and coat, planning on getting home as soon as I could so I could go to sleep. However, as I stepped back into the diner, I was greeted by the sight of Aiden leaning against the bar, his wheat coloured hair slightly messy from the wind and his beloved wool–lined denim jacket pulled over his broad shoulders and thick arms.
As if he felt my presence, he glanced up from his phone and smiled, pushing away from the counter to straighten to his full height.
“Hi,” I mumbled, my cheeks suddenly feeling hot. “What are you doing here? I thought you had to work.”
“Well, as it turns out, when you’re your own boss, you can take the night off when you want.” Aiden smirked, his blue eyes reminding me of the ocean crashing against tree covered shores. “I want to take you out.”
Chapter 74
“Take me out?” I felt myself frown. “L–like on a d–date?”
“Not like a date; on a date.” Aiden corrected, his large hands cupping my cheeks. “Just you and
me.”
“Okay, but where are we going?” I asked, realising it was getting pretty late and everything around here was closing for the night except the bars.
“Let me worry about that.” Aiden let his hands drop with one going to take my hand and lace our fingers. “I just need you to bring your appetite.”
I let Aiden guide me out to his truck well aware I couldn’t stop smiling. I was still trying to get my head around the fact that Aiden not only was interested in me, he wanted to take me on a date. Things between us had been like a dream. He never pressured me to do anything I didn’t want to and yet my skin craved his touch like a man lost in the desert craved water. He was only too happy to oblige as well whether it be with this mouth or his hands.
I tried not to bombard Aiden with too many questions as he drove us into Portland. Just going into the city was exciting. I didn’t get to do it too often as it wasn’t exactly ideal walking around alone as a girl. However, I already knew walking the streets of Portland wasn’t Aiden’s idea of a date. He wasn’t one to do things aimlessly. Eventually we pulled up to a parking lot in Central Eastside. Despite the time of night, the place was busy and lively and once I focused on my surroundings properly, I realised we were not far from the night market, the bright lights of the food and drinks vendors calling to me.
“The night market?” I raised an eyebrow curiously.
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