Missing (The Brannock Siblings Book 3), page 6
"Yes?" she squeaked.
"Are you going to be around tonight?"
"Umm," she couldn't decide if her confusion was because her brain was still shorting out or if it was because she couldn't possibly come up with a reason as to why he would ask that. "Yes?"
"Is that a question?"
"No."
"No, you won't be here?"
"No. I mean, yes, I'll be here, but I don't know why you'd want to know."
He squeezed her arm gently before releasing it, now having her full attention he must have realized he didn't need to restrain her.
Too bad, she thought and felt her lips turn into a pout.
"I was wondering, well hoping actually, that you would have dinner with me."
Her eyebrows shot straight up and her stomach wobbled. This wasn't what she expected, especially after her blatant rejection of him last night. Except she didn't actually officially reject him last night. Instead, he had distracted her with his sexy talk about names to call him and her body had told her mind to shut the hell up and listen to him. Therefore, her whole reaction to finding out he was her date was a moot point because she was right back to trying to figure the whole thing out all over again.
Damn her body for bullying her mind into forgetting the very important problem about this whole debacle. The problem that she just couldn't put her finger on now because he had the fantasy towel in his hand and was wiping his face and neck.
Why couldn't I have been born a towel?
"Red?"
Okay, that got her wheels greased and working again.
"I, uh, my sister is coming for dinner tonight. We have plans. Yeah, that's right."
He smiled and his eyes twinkled. Not the reaction she had been expecting but she could roll with that. "I see. Do you mind if you have an extra person?"
"I'm sorry?"
He raked a hand through his damp hair, damp with the sweat from his workout, she reminded herself as she watched his bicep bulge and that sexy set of muscles down his side clench and roll under his skin. "You see, I only have the weekend off as long as I'm not called in and I haven't been able to go to the store yet, since I had other plans." He paused and winked at her.
Right. The other plans that had unknowingly included her.
"I was planning on going today, but something came up and I won't have the time. So… do you mind if I join you girls for dinner?"
Something in the back of her mind was screaming at her that what he had given her was the weakest excuse she had ever heard and the reminder of his ever present job crashed to the forefront.
"Seriously?"
He nodded, "Seriously."
She bit her lip and thought about it for a few seconds, then he growled and her mind switched to panic mode.
"What? What is it?" she asked frantically, looking around her to make sure there was nothing amiss.
"Nothing. It's just… you were biting your lip and… never mind. Yes or no, Aiden."
Her name on his lips made the decision for her. She could be civil. He was her neighbor after all and she wasn't planning on moving any time soon. Avoiding each other was apparently out of the question since it had only been several hours and fate had pushed her in front of him once again. She knew him. At least that's what he had told her. She wasn't sure if he was truly the man she thought Dreamy was or if he was the bad boy, prank playing, gun toting, jerk she had thought was her neighbor.
The more she stewed about it and the longer she stared at him, his eyes pleading with her and telling her he wanted a chance, the more she realized that the two men were one and the same. The bad boy jerk wasn't ever really a jerk at all since she had equally thrown her own sass back at him and what person wouldn't go on the defensive?
If she was being honest with herself, and she liked to think she was honest with herself more often than not, she liked him regardless. Even when he was being an ass, he was being a semi respectful ass. He had never been outright brutal to her even thought he could have been.
Yes, his job was dangerous and she didn't think she could ever be romantically involved with a man who might not be around forever because he was surrounded by bad guys every day, but she could be friends with one.
"Okay. You can come."
His shoulders slumped in relief and the smile on his face lit her up like a Christmas tree. "Great. Lily is cooking, though, right?"
"Yes! She is, you jerk!" she snapped and turned to walk away.
"Hey, I'm sorry," he said quickly and grabbed her arm again, effectively stopping her retreat. As usual.
"I know I'm a terrible cook, but for the love of God, stop reminding me. I'm reminded every day without you making fun of me."
She was getting emotional and couldn't figure out why. Maybe it was the lack of sleep the night before or the still fresh disappointment in losing the only man she had ever really been able to talk to only to end up realizing he hadn't been the only one. Either way, her eyes were watering and they weren't going to stop unless she took extreme measures.
"Shhh, I'm sorry," Gus cooed and his fingers caressed her cheek before gently gripping the back of her neck. His thumb pressed under her jaw, forcing her to lift her eyes to his. "How about this? I promise to not make fun of your cooking anymore."
"Really?" she used her best sarcastic voice. "And what's the catch?"
Those damn lips of his, they stretched into the most devastating smile she had ever seen and his eyes twinkled again. Now she knew what that twinkle meant; mischief.
"If you promise never, and I mean never, to make lasagna again."
Suddenly, her emotional head trip switched into hysterical laughter. She couldn't stop it if she tried. She laughed harder than she had in a long time and Gus never let go of her as he stared at her, his eyes bright and his cheeks flushed. She didn't know how long she laughed for, but when she finally caught her breath, it was taken once more.
"You're so beautiful." His voice was gentle and sure, almost awed.
She didn't know what to say so she decided not to say anything in response to the most romantic words she had heard since last night when he had said the same thing. "I promise not to make lasagna again. I don't even like it anyway."
His eyes shifted down to her lips, "That's because you've never had it cooked right. My sister, Ash, makes the best lasagna around. One bite of that and you'll be converted."
"We'll see about that."
"Yes, we will," he winked and released his hold on her.
She immediately missed his touch, but took a step back to distance herself from him. Maybe she didn't have to lose the only guy she could ever truly talk to, but she wasn't going back to falling for him. She could have him as a friend. Lots of women had best friends that were men, right?
She could do that. Be friends with Gus. The cop. The always smiling, always witty neighbor who just happened to have a million things in common with her. She could be friends with him and maybe see about answering one of the other few messages on her profile from men who had been interested in her, too. The thought made her stomach crawl.
"I'll see you tonight then."
"Sounds good."
She hurried and walked away before he could distract her anymore. Once she hit the first landing and the sound of his door clicking shut reached her ears, she sighed heavily.
Friends. Friends had dinner together all the time.
Lily would be there anyway.
Oh great! Lily will be there.
Gus' number one fan.
"I'm screwed."
Chapter 4
Gus
It was the longest day of my life, waiting for Aiden to get home. I knew the minute she did because I never strayed far from my door that afternoon. I spent the morning on the phone with the captain, Pax, Eckart, and Lincoln. None of us could really just sit back and wait so we brainstormed for a few hours.
Turns out the security tapes at the station gave us more than we thought they would. This guy was careful, but he slipped up, just like Payne said he would. There was no way to see his face when the letter was dropped, but it was something, and something was better than nothing.
They had several people running through additional tapes and asking questions around the station. Even though we know he was there, he must have made himself inconspicuous enough that no one really remembered him.
Pax and Eckart were spending the rest of the day with business owners around the station who had security cameras on the outside of their buildings. I still hadn't heard any word, but I didn't think there would be much to find. In fact, as the hours dragged on, I was beginning to think this guy meant to get on camera. Just to piss us off.
By the time afternoon hit, I couldn't hold off any longer. I knew I'd be getting the call soon and I didn't want it to be during dinner so I sucked it up.
"Gus. How's it going, brother?"
"Con."
"So? How'd it go?"
I hesitated long enough for him to understand that the night hadn't turned out the way I hoped it would.
"That bad, huh?"
"Shit, Con. She's the neighbor."
"What? The neighbor. Who's the neighbor? The red head?"
"Yes."
"Well, Gus, I already knew that, but I don't get how that has to do with-" he paused suddenly and then burst out laughing. "Wait, wait, wait! Your date was your neighbor? The red head you can't stand?"
I growled into the phone and dropped my head into my hand, "Yes."
"Oh, God. That's… that's just hilarious! So fucking hilarious! Hey, Em, guess what?"
"I'm gonna go, Con. Just hold off on telling Luke. He's going to want to put his two cents in and I'm not ready to talk to him yet."
"Why not?" he asked with a chuckle and I heard Emily in the background asking what was so funny.
Apparently, Ash still hadn't told him about the pregnancy and I wasn't about to, so I let him tell Emily what was going on instead of answering him. Her laughter was refreshing, but it was still annoying how much entertainment they were getting out of my love life.
"I'll talk to you guys later. I've got plans tonight with Aiden and I don't want your attitudes to mess the vibes I'm trying to hold on to."
"Who is Aiden?"
"My neighbor."
"She agreed to see you again? After all the shit you two have done to each other."
"Yeah. She drives me crazy, but you don't get it, Con. I was talking to her for months and I… I can't just let that go." I wanted to say I was falling for her, had already fallen hard for the side of her I knew so well. Now, after seeing all of her, knowing the other side of the woman that I couldn't stand but couldn't seem to stay away from… no way I could shut my eyes now.
"No, Gus. I do get it. I told you that you were next. Embrace it and I'll tell you what Luke told me when I was first with Emily. Fighting it only makes it worse. It's worth it, brother."
"Thanks, Con."
His voice was muffled and the softness in his tone told me they were having a moment together based on what he had just said. I wanted to get the hell off the phone, but no luck.
"Em wants a word," Con said quickly and handed off the phone.
"Gus, I'm so happy for you," Emily exclaimed. I missed her just as much as I missed Ash. She had become a good friend to me since she first entered our lives and she was too good for my brother, but he already knew that.
"Nothing has happened yet, Em. She still can't stand me, but I'm going to change that."
"A woman doesn't make plans with someone she can't stand, Gus. From what you've told us about her, your neighbor especially doesn't make plans with someone she can't stand. She's good for you, I've known all along."
I wasn't sure how, but I knew without a doubt she was telling the truth. These women knew things that we men could never hope to understand. It's just how God made us. At least, that's what Mom always said and what was proven to us over and over again.
"We'll see what happens tonight. I'm not about to give her up because of a misunderstanding."
"Good. We'll talk later then."
"Sounds good. Love you guys."
"You, too. Bye."
Yep, Emily was good for Con and my brother knew he didn't deserve her, but he wasn't going to stop trying.
It was on that thought that I heard the voices out in the hall.
Aiden.
Then a small giggle.
Little Aiden.
Then a knock on my door.
I didn't think it would be Aiden herself because let's face it, she couldn't be as desperate as I was to see her. At least, that's how it appeared. After the months we'd spent getting to know each other and realizing we really didn't know much at all, I still didn't doubt she was the one I wanted. I had never been so sure of anything in my life than I was in that moment at the restaurant when our eyes connected and knowledge rained down.
It was only made clearer by her fiery attitude.
I opened the door to find Lily standing there with a beaming smile and a hand on her hip. She was really pretty and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why she was single.
"Someone tells me you will be joining us tonight."
I smiled with a wink and her cheeks flushed pink. "That's right. No food here so I'm being a mooch tonight."
"That's fine with me. Come on over. I want to talk to you while dinner cooks."
"I'll be there in two minutes."
She nodded and walked into Aiden's apartment. I grabbed my phone and the six pack of beer in my fridge and took a deep breath.
"Don't push too hard, Gus. Just take baby steps."
Aiden was either going to be Red, my feisty, frustrating neighbor who could throw attitude all night long, or she was going to be the sweet I knew she had in her. Either way, I couldn't wait a second longer. Her apartment door was left open a crack and I shook my head. These days, you can't be too careful.
"You know, you really shouldn't leave your door open like this," I called without entering and instead knocked lightly.
I heard a small shriek before a tiny giggle and smiled to myself.
"Just get your ass in here Gus and stop being Mr. Macho Detective Man."
There's my Red.
Walking into her cluttered apartment wasn't the same as last time. It was welcoming and downright impressive. I caught a glimpse of a fresh painting still on her easel near the window. Blue and grey swirls moving across the canvas, but that was all I saw before a little torpedo came flying out of the kitchen and stopped abruptly right in front of me.
"Hi!"
"Hi," I waved.
Little Aiden was almost an exact replica of her mother. With the exception of the bright red hair and countless freckles on her nose, she could pass for a younger Lily.
"Mommy said that you were going to eat with us. Is that true?"
"Yep."
"Good. She said Aunty Aiden needs a friend before she turns into a crazy cat lady. Is that true, too?"
My mouth opened and closed like a fish as I tried to figure out what to say to this little girl, but her mother got to her first.
"Aidy! I told you to keep that a secret, sweetheart. Secrets mean you don't tell anyone."
"But he could be her friend, Mommy."
"I know sweetie, and he is, but you still don't tell secrets, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy."
Then she was gone, a blur of red hair and tiny limbs darting back down the hallway and disappearing into one of the bedrooms.
"Sorry about that, thank God Aid didn't hear it," Lily whispered conspiratorially.
I just shrugged, still not sure how to react. That's when she walked out of the kitchen. Red hair straightened perfectly, white sundress clinging to the curves I had recently discovered, and lips turned up into an anxious grin.
Aiden was breathtaking on her worst day, and today was far from her worst.
"Hi, Gus."
"Hi, Aiden."
Her brow furrowed and she folded her arms and leaned against the wall. "Why do you sometimes call me Red and other times Aiden?"
I cleared my throat and kept my eyes on hers. "It all depends on you."
Lily covered her mouth with her hand, but not before I caught the smile that crossed her face. She was loving all the awkwardness.
"What do you mean?"
I raked a hand through my hair and tugged a little, trying to get my head in a good place because that dress of hers was distracting and knowing I wanted nothing more than to throw her over my shoulder and take her back to my place was really making it hard to think clearly.
I am an asshole. I'd hated this woman for months and up until recently, she hadn't even been a blip on my radar. Now it was like high school all over again; my thoughts were getting hard to control.
"Sometimes you are this fireball of fury and sass and nothing can persuade you to be otherwise. That's Red."
"And Aiden?" Lily asked quietly, her hand pressed against her chest right above her heart like she was about to faint right there.
I wasn't sure why, but it made my chest puff out. I may be an ass but I am quite the charmer.
"Aiden is the sweet, vulnerable woman that literally takes my breath away. When you show me that sweet side, all sugary and smiling, you're Aiden. She's been around a lot more lately."
Her arms dropped to her sides and her chocolate eyes widened. I couldn't take my gaze off of her, but I heard Lily gasp and saw her start to fan herself out of the corner of my eye.
"I-I… I'm not sweet," Aiden argued, her blush now covering her neck and collarbone, just above the neckline of her dress. It made me wonder how far down that blush would go.
"You are when you want to be and when you want to be, it's spectacular. Almost as spectacular as when you throw me that sass."
I needed to stop myself or she was going to run.
"What's for dinner?" I finally tore my gaze from her and looked at Lily who was still fanning herself.
"I, um… gosh, I can't remember," she breathed.
So much for baby steps.
***
The thickness in the apartment faded only slightly during dinner. I kept my thoughts to myself, but every time I locked eyes with Aiden, it became that much harder to keep my mouth shut. The brief moments we had shared in the past - mostly negative and ending in one of us seeking revenge on the other - suddenly felt like foreplay. Aiden Murphy had a passionate side that contrasted with the sweet MysteryGirl I had fallen so hard for. She was strong and stubborn, but so incredibly giving when it came to the people she loved.
