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When five thirty came around and she wasn’t home yet, I was starting to get extremely anxious. She burst through the front door, apologizing the entire time.
"I am sooo sorry. I completely lost track of time!" She ran up the steps. I followed after her. "Give me twenty minutes and I will –"
I grabbed her by the waist as she was flitting around the bedroom.
"You look fine."
'What?" She looked herself over. "I’m in jeans and a blouse." She headed into her closet. "Just give me –"
"Lilli, just put this on." I pulled a sweater from the top shelf and started to put it over her head. She looked at me curiously as I pulled her oversized sweater down. "Come on," I grabbed her hand and pulled her through the house.
"What –?"
"Surprise," I sang out with a laugh as she growled at me.
"You and your damn…Aidan? When? Did…? Is this..?"
"This is for you…well, for us." I smiled and pulled her into my side as we headed to the large stone patio in the backyard.
The fire pit was lit and the loveseat covered with thick warm blankets. Earlier that day I had candles placed out around the patio and about twenty dozen yellow and orange roses arranged around the area.
"It’s great," she smiled up to me genuinely. "It really is."
"I’m glad you like it," I gestured for her to sit down on the small loveseat and sat down next to her.
She relaxed back into the pillows that were covering the seat and I wrapped a large thick blanket over us. We watched the fire crackle and looked up at the cold clear night.
"Now, for dinner," I announced after I saw the text on my cell, she started to get up. "Where are you going?"
"Uh…"
"Sit down. I have a special dinner planned for you." I smirked and she eyed me suspiciously.
Jay appeared and was walking toward us with a large white bag. He handed me the bag and I heard Lilli laughing.
"Thank you, Jay," I patted his arm as he moved back from me.
"Thanks, Jay," Lilli giggled. I turned to her. "I can’t believe you got McDonalds."
"Hey, I aim to please." I reached in and handed her a Hamburger and Fries. We sat eating our McDonalds as we talked, laughed. We, then, cuddled up together in complete silence.
Once again, I found myself contemplating what it would be like for me if she wasn’t in my life. Could I convince her that I didn’t need four years of marriage, instead, what I needed was a lifetime with her?
She shifted. I looked down to see her sleeping soundly against my chest, her hand lying almost over my heart. I placed my hand on top of hers and whispered.
"I love you, Lilli."
Chapter Eight
Black and White
Lilli
Aidan had been really being caring and romantic over the past couple of weeks, starting with our outdoor McDonald's dinner. I was silently cursing myself for allowing these feelings to creep over my body. I'm not sure of his intentions or what was driving him to do all these things. I mean, was it all driven by the arrangement? His need for an heir? Was it just for sex? Or was it because he was genuinely feeling something?
It felt genuine, but, in our situation, I was completely confused and frustrated with the way I was feeling.
I sighed heavily at my internal struggle and finished up in the shower. Phoebe and Celia would be here in about an hour. We were heading over to Viola's to get the last fittings completed for our gowns as well as looking at the masks that would match our dresses. I shook off my confusion and got out of the shower to finish getting ready.
Once I was dressed, I headed down to the study, knowing that Aidan was in there working. I wanted to tell him that I was heading out soon. However, when I got to the door I couldn't help but over hear his loud frustrated voice.
"I am not going to discuss this with you any further." His voice was annoyed and stern. "I already told you that I had taken care of it." He sighed heavily. "It has been taken care of, now drop it." I jumped as a thud sounded behind the door.
"I realize that you are concerned. Obviously, I know the repercussions for the company and the family. Things are taken care of and I've already taken the steps toward the final security of the company." He sounded defeated now and tired. My mind was reeling from his words. Clearly it was something to do with losing the company. Could it be the inheritance terms? And what did he mean by arranged and taken care of?
When I heard him end the call I took a deep breath and a couple of steps back. Walking back towards the door, I lightly knocked on the door.
"Aidan?" I swallowed my suspicious feelings and leaned in.
"Lilli," he smiled and stood from his seat. He looked so tired.
"Um...are you okay?"
He immediately looked nervous. Was that guilt?
"Of course," he forced a smile. "Just work getting crazy again." He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.