Best of My Love (Fool's Gold, #20)

The last couple of days had been hard. He missed Shelby more than he would have thought possible. He was used to seeing her, talking to her, touching her. There wasn’t a part of him that didn’t miss her. He dreamed about her in his sleep. There was no escape from her and his love for her.

Worse than that was not knowing what to do. His gut said to give her time. That she needed to think about whatever was bothering her. His heart wanted to go to her and hold her. Help her. Even if he was the problem, he could still help. Which sounded stupid. So he did nothing except wait.

Charlie raised his head and barked, then ran toward the house. Aidan followed and was surprised to find the front door was open. The little dog had already disappeared inside.

Aidan hurried after him. He found his living room filled with women. Lots of women.

Jo from Jo’s Bar manned a blender set up in the kitchen. Taryn and Larissa were putting out platters of cookies and brownies. Patience saw him and walked over.

“We’re so sorry,” she said, giving him a hug. “We’re here to help.”

Amber waved from the kitchen. Even Destiny was there, holding her sleeping daughter in her arms.

“How are you going to help?” he asked.

Patience wrinkled her nose. “I have no idea.” She turned toward the other women. “Aidan wants to know how we’re going to help.”

Madeline walked out of the kitchen and handed him a beer. “We generally do margaritas at times like this, but you strike me as a beer guy.”

“Thanks. Don’t take this wrong, but what’s going on?”

Felicia Boylan walked through the front door. “I’m sorry I’m late. Hello, Aidan. This is a Fool’s Gold tradition. If a couple breaks up, the women gather together to help. Usually we’re antimale, but in this case, it seems you’re the wronged party. So we’re bringing our traditional get-over-him party to you.”

He knew they were trying to be nice, so he accepted the beer and sat on the sofa. The women gathered around him. Charlie was in doggy heaven, being petted and cuddled and fed cookies.

Taryn sat across from him. “I want to say up front that I’ve spoken to Shelby.”

Everyone looked at her. Aidan had to fight back the need to ask how she was. Did she look okay? Was she sleeping? Was there anything he could do to—

“I’m not going to betray her confidence by telling you what she told me,” she admitted. “However, I am willing to say that a lot of what she’s going through has very little to do with you. I think you should give her some time. More time than you want to, I’m guessing. But she needs to figure this out.”

There was a lot of information in that coded message, he thought. If Shelby was still dealing with her past, then Taryn was right—none of this was about him. Even though it still hurt.

Time. His head said that was the right thing. To give her space, to not pressure her. But his heart, his heart ached for her.

Patience sat next to him. “I’m sorry you’re going through this,” she said with a sigh. “Normally, when we do this, we totally trash the guys. But Shelby is our friend, so I’m not comfortable doing that.” She wrinkled her nose. “Equality between the sexes can be so awkward.”

Felicia sat on his other side. “When Gideon and I were still in an uncommitted dating relationship, I wasn’t sure where I stood with him. He was unable to handle my declaration of love. It completely freaked him out. But he came around. I’m sure Shelby will, as well.”

“You haven’t asked if that’s what I want,” he pointed out.

“We don’t have to,” Madeline told him. “We can see it in your eyes. You love her.” Her gaze narrowed. “You do love her, don’t you?”

“Yeah. With all my heart.”

Most of the women sighed.

Jo walked around, refilling margarita glasses. “We like to think only men are stupid,” she said cheerfully. “But dumb is an equal-opportunity employer.” She patted his shoulder. “I promise, the next time you show up for a girls’ lunch, I won’t say anything.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I know. I’m a giver.”

He managed to laugh. Conversation shifted to how everyone else was doing in their lives or how their significant others had messed up. The stories were meant to encourage him, which he appreciated, but a part of him wanted to point out that they were sharing from a place of having found their one true love. He wasn’t there yet.

For a second he wondered if he should have regrets. Maybe if he’d never gotten involved with Shelby. Only that wasn’t an option. Having known her, having loved her, whatever else happened, he couldn’t be sorry for what he was going through. Everything about her was amazing. He was damned lucky to have gotten as much as he had. He would shut up and be grateful. And maybe have a little faith. In her...in himself and in everything they could be.

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