After the movie, they decided it was early enough to take in a game of miniature golf before calling it a night. Aimee concluded she couldn’t remember enjoying a birthday more. A tranquility had dominated their evening and governed the entire theme of the night. As a matter of fact, so relaxed and happy was she that while walking leisurely back to the Mustang, with a candy bar in one hand and Colin’s arm in the other, Aimee was oblivious to any thoughts other than sore feet, high spirits, and the sweet taste of chocolate.
“Tired yet?”
Shaking her head against the sleeve of his jacket, for she apparently couldn’t find the strength to answer; the thought of ending the evening was far too unfair.
Colin chuckled but replied, “I think it’s time to get the birthday girl home.”
Groaning, she allowed her feet to shuffle to a standstill not wanting to continue if it meant ending the night.
He stopped as well. Turning to look down at her, his grin faltered momentarily as he gazed down at her in the moonlight. Just as quickly he composed himself and restored his familiar smile. “I take it you’ve enjoyed yourself tonight.”
Aimee nodded. “I’m having too much fun to go home.”
An unfamiliar spark flashed briefly in his expression once again, and apparently stumped his tongue for he remained speechless. Aimee frowned, wondering if her own tired words had sounded inarticulate. Waiting for his response she remained still.
“Aimee, have you ever—” he faltered, not sure of his next words. “Has it ever—?”
“What is it Colin?” she asked completely puzzled. Whatever it was he wanted to say was apparently leaving him in a muddle.
“It’s just that I’ve had this—well, I’ve been wondering all night—” He swore, dropping his gaze and shifted his feet impatiently. “Hell, I feel like a foolish boy out on his first date.”
Two white brows drew together but she managed a small smile as she said, “I don’t think I’m following.”
He raised his eyes to her and very matter-of-factly informed her, “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all night.”
Aimee froze. She hadn’t been expecting that at all. She had dreamt of it, wished for it, but not dare hope that it could actually happen.
When she remained silent, he looked concerned. The unmistakable trace of anxiety was noticeable in his expression. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I was way out of line. Hell, you’re practically family.”
“It’s all right.”
“No, you’ve been a good friend through all this Sheila mess and I’m not being very considerate with your own relationship issues—”
Sheila. Damn the name. Even now, she still managed to get between them. Aimee sighed and even felt a little guilty. “It’s all right, Colin, I understand. You’ve just broken up with Sheila and are feeling a little vulnerable. It’s understandable that you have a need to feel—”
“I don’t think that’s it,” he interrupted and catching Aimee’s full attention. “I’ve been feeling this way for a long time.”
She felt speechless, but somehow managed, “Really?”
He seemed to feel the need to explain. “We’d be horsing around or simply standing beside each other when I suddenly had an overwhelming urge to kiss you.”
“Oh.” She did not know what else to say. Her heart was singing so loudly that she was sure he could hear it, but she knew her next words would be very important. She had to think very carefully. “Well, if you think about it it’s not really that—abnormal. I mean, I’m not really your little sister.”
“No, you’re not,” he quickly agreed.
“And I’m a woman and y-you’re a man.” She paused to clear her throat. Lord she needed desperately to sound composed. The moment of truth was upon her. “It could happen.”
He studied her searchingly before saying, “What harm could it do?”
She shook her head, biting her suddenly trembling lip. “It’s just a kiss.”
“Right.” He sounded breathless drawing Aimee’s gaze to his sensual mouth. She lifted her eyes and locked gazes with him. His own eyes did not falter as they clung to hers searching for any sign of disproof, when he did not find any his head slowly began to lower.
Aimee’s pulse immediately went into overdrive. Forcing herself to calm her nerves, she needed desperately to focus. The memory of the pilfered kiss she had stolen that night he fell asleep on her sofa, flooded her mind. Excitement began to bubble in the pit of her stomach and it took everything she had to constrain her emotions. That was all she needed, to scare Colin off just when he finally started to look at her in a new light.
Nervously, her tongue peeked out and licked suddenly parched lips. Colin hesitated, his gaze caught by the movement. When he glanced back up, his eyes had definitely darkened with ardor. Even in the shadows of the parking lot, she could not mistake the look of longing. A quickening in the center of her pelvis had her swaying slightly toward him.
Colin’s mouth continued toward her own, only to pause once more when he realized both their heads were inclined in the same direction. With ease he simply corrected the dilemma and titled his head in the opposite direction.
Aimee’s eyes closed just as his mouth finally touched her own. It took all her willpower to control her emotions and not throw herself into his arms and return the kiss with years of built-up desire. However, his own response, nearly had Aimee yielding. Instead of a quick curious kiss, his lips deepened into a burning exploration to the point where Aimee felt her inside begin to melt.
On the verge of collapsing from suddenly defunct legs, Colin at last broke the kiss. He drew away from her and Aimee became very conscious that the only thing that had been holding her up were those amazing lips of his. They had refrained from touching each other in any other manner, keeping their hands to themselves. With all the strength she could muster, she somehow managed to remain upright and on her feet.
Colin’s face remained in the shadows until at last he backed far enough away that the streetlights above revealed his expression. He looked utterly stunned. His jaw was moving but no words were forming on his lips. The magnificence of the kiss had not gone unnoticed by him. As a matter-of-fact, Aimee was certain it had totally rendered him speechless. Having stolen a kiss without his knowledge had actually given Aimee the advantage. Where she had been prepared for what was to happen, Colin on the other hand had been completely surprised.
Aimee smiled nervously, before saying, “See, no big deal.”
Her words startled and apparently confused him as the crease between his brows deepened. “Aimee, didn’t you feel—?”
She waited for him to finish what he was going to say, then when he didn’t, she asked almost breathlessly, “What?”
He looked utterly dumfounded as he searched her face in the low moonlight. “Nothing.”
Disappointed, she took in a deep breath and inhaled the cool evening air while glancing up into the clear night sky. Thousands of twinkling stars winked down at her. Glancing back at Colin, she found him still studying her. A kaleidoscopic display of emotions flickered across his face like the stars above.
“I think it’s best if I take you home now.”
Something was wrong, Aimee could sense it. Something had altered in their relationship and she wasn’t sure if it was for the better. But she responded with a simple nod. He reached out and took her arm and began to lead her toward the Mustang. Then immediately flinched as if her touch repulsed him so let her go.
The moment of truth was having a devastating outcome, Aimee discovered with sorrow. Colin certainly felt the climax of their kiss, she had no doubt about that, but at the same time seemed to reject the veracity of its nature.
The ride back was in silence. Each was left to their own thoughts. ‘What harm could it do?’ he had asked. In her foolish fantasies, she had imagined that it could not have done anything but good. What was so wrong with her that Colin would immediately reject any emotion concerning her? Or had he placed her in the position of little sister for so long that it utterly appalled him to discover that she was a sexy vibrant woman that he might be attracted to?
When he pulled into her apartment’s parking lot she turned to frown at him. “I could have taken you home first.”
“I could do for the walk.” He didn’t even look in her direction.
She remained still for a moment, studying his profile. “Will you not even look at me?”
He almost looked guilty as his eyes darted in her direction. Opening his mouth, on the verge of saying something, he swiftly closed it again. Then attempted once more. “Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea, after all.”
That hurt. More than he could ever realize. “Why?”
He looked startled. “Wasn’t it obvious?”
She shook her head, for fear she may cry if she spoke.
Looking perplexed and slightly annoyed, he shoved off the steering column and climbed out of the car. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your door.”
Feeling as if she had died internally, Aimee crawled out of the car and dragged her feet toward the entrance of her building. The closer they got, the sooner their relationship would be over forever.
In silence once more, they walked side by side until they stood before Aimee’s apartment door. She slid the key in the lock and opened the door. Stepping inside, fully expecting Colin to follow, she turned back frowning when he didn’t. “Are you coming in for coffee?”
“Not tonight.” Placing his hand against the doorframe he leaned forward and took a quick browse. “Looks clear. Go and check your bedroom. I’ll wait.”
Aimee frowned. “I’m sure it’s safe. Don’t concern yourself.”
Annoyed, he slumped forward and dashed quickly into her bedroom then bathroom to have a quick look himself. Coming back out to the main entrance he said, “Better be safe than sorry.”
Unconsciously she rolled her eyes and had Colin looking angry. “What was that for?”
“You sound like my—”
“Brother?” he snapped.
“Father,” she corrected, then sighing heavily told him, “Look if you don’t want to come in for coffee, it’s late and sleep sounds good just about now.”
He paused, then hurriedly turned to go. “I’m leaving.”
“Fine. And, gee, thanks for a swell evening.” She was glad her words stopped him at the threshold, for she was able to add sarcastically, “I enjoyed everything about it.”
Not caring if he took her last remark as an underlying comment regarding the kiss, Aimee was tired of hiding her feelings.
He opened his mouth to say something then changed his mind and settled with, “Good night, Aimee.”
Their eyes met and locked, angry daggers staring stubbornly back at one another. Then he floored her completely when he asked, “Would you like to go out sometime, next week?”
“What?”
“You know, supper—or something like that.” He gestured irritably with his hand.
“Fine.” Was he asking her out on another date? No, of course not. Particularly not after the disastrous results of this one. Perhaps he was just trying to sacrifice their friendship. Aimee wasn’t sure if she could go back to the way things were. She wasn’t even sure they could even if they wanted. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”
“If you want too as well,” he insisted, looking at her intently.
“I said fine.”
“Okay. Uh—” He looked unsure of himself as he shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “I guess I’ll call you.”
“Sure.”
“All right.”
She stood there waiting for him to go, but still he did not leave. Instead, he shuffled his feet in an awkward fashion, then unexpectedly reached for her waist, leaned forward and kissed her hard on the lips. “Happy Birthday, Aimee.”
He was gone before he could see the flush darken her cheeks. She hadn’t expected a goodnight kiss. Not after his dreadful reaction from the first kiss. Grinning suddenly, she shut the door and bolted it. It stayed plastered to her face as she prepared herself for bed. She was in love, and the man she loved had finally kissed her, not once but twice. Maybe Colin was wrong. Maybe some good came from that kiss after all.
* * *
Things from that point on should have gone like clockwork. It should have been the story she would have passed down to their children and grandchildren of how they fell in love. But whoever said love was not easy couldn’t have been more right where Aimee and Colin were concerned.
Indeed, the night of Aimee’s birthday Colin had asked her out on a date. As well as the weekend after that, and the weekend after that. Aimee was in seventh heaven. They had finally begun dating. Colin would take her out to dinner during the week, maybe a movie on the weekend as well as dinner, and always ended the evening with a kiss in front of Aimee’s apartment door. Colin was a true gentleman. Never would he come in for a late night coffee or never once would he attempt to progress their relationship further than the goodnight kisses.
So why was the candle slowly beginning to dim? It was true that Aimee wouldn’t have minded so much if Colin attempted a closer more intimate relationship, but she would be happy to wait as long as he wanted.
It really began to flag when he cancelled their date Saturday night because he had gotten two tickets to a NHL game. The fact that he cancelled their evening did not bother her as much as the fact that it was Ted from the garage who he gave the second ticket to.
A month ago, it would have been Aimee. They used to do everything together. Lately, she rarely saw him except for weekends and the odd weeknight. She couldn’t help but remember what he had said about Sheila and the fact that she tried to control his friendships. He had resented it and implied that any woman he dated had to except him and his friends. But at the time, he had meant Aimee. Now she was on the opposite end.
As she sat alone Saturday night eating a bowl of ice cream and cookies, watching the game he was at on television, Aimee felt a tinge of disappointment. Having not been able to see Colin during the week, she had been looking forward to the weekend and spending time with him. Instead, she sat alone in the dark with nothing but a pink tipped stuffed elephant for company. With a weary sigh, she sank back further into the sofa cushions and conceded that her problems lay deeper than a lonely Saturday night.
As the weeks of dating progressed further, Aimee hated to admit it, but a feeling of resentment and disappointed began to enter their relationship. At least from her side. She had made many suggestions that they do some of the things they use to do before they were a couple. Such as renting a movie, scrounging up a supper, and spending a quiet evening at home.
The very suggestion she put to him the following Sunday evening. She heard him respond quickly over the telephone wire, “I thought I might call it an early evening. Me and Ted hit the bars after the game last night and we were out kind of late, so I thought I might catch some extra Z’s tonight. If you don’t feel like going out for supper why don’t we wait and we’ll make plans next week.”
Aimee frowned heavily. Lord she wished she could see his face. She hated these telephone calls he had begun making. It inhibited her ability to read any feelings he masked and fed all her insecurities. Such as, was he happy with their relationship?
As she hung up the phone, she ignored the nagging little voice which was asking her that very question. By the time Saturday came around and still no word from Colin, Aimee was ready to answer that question herself.
By Wednesday while sitting at her desk, her thoughts on anything but the work in front of her, she could not endure the nagging questions racing through her mind any longer. With an overwhelming urge to see Colin and speak with him, she snatched up the telephone and dialed the garage where he worked.
Colin’s voice briskly answered. “Afternoon, Pearson’s Auto Body.”
“Hi Colin, it’s me Aimee.”
“Hi, what’s up?”
“Can you come over for dinner tonight?”
There was a pause on the other end. “Let’s see. What day is today? Gee—sorry Aimee, I won’t be able to come. I’ve got a fender bender in here that the owner wants back Thursday at the latest.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“I imagine I’ll still be working late trying to catch up.” Was Aimee’s unsettled thoughts playing games with her or was Colin fishing for excuses? “Can it wait until Saturday? We can get something to eat at East Side Mario’s and that will save you from having to cook anything.”
“Well, it’s kind of important. I didn’t want to have to wait till then. When’s the best time for you?”
Again a pause before he said, “Why don’t you tell me now?”
“I’d rather not talk about it over the phone.”
“Oh.” Then his voice went down a notch. “Is it serious?”
Aimee bit her lip. “When do you think you can spare me some time. It shouldn’t take more than an hour.”
“I suppose I could stop by later tonight if it’s that important.”
“Thank you Colin.”
After she hung up she felt a certain burden lifted from her shoulders and the beginning of excitement to tickle her spirits. Not from the impending talk, but at the opportunity of seeing Colin again. It had been far too long since she last laid eyes on him and she was starving for the chance again.
However, later that evening as the clock passed each hour, her spirits began to damper as she wondered if he would show at all. Knowing full well she turned in early on a work night, she thought Colin would have been there a lot sooner. Finally, at nine-thirty the expectant knock finally arrived.
“Hey,” he greeted her with a grin from the other side of the threshold; his hands thrust deep in the front pockets of his denims. “What’s up?”
She ushered him in and noticed he appeared reluctant to enter. Not wanting to exam his odd behavior, she quickly offered him a drink which he refused. Instead, he sauntered into the living room and dropped his weight onto the comforts of her sofa. Apart from his relaxed state, Aimee noticed however that he had not yet removed his coat. As if he were expecting a short visit.
Towering above him, she eyed his long legs stretched out to the coffee table where they crossed at the ankles, and suddenly felt apprehensive. How exactly was she planning on discussing this?
“Well, actually, it’s not as important as I made it sound on the telephone this afternoon.”
His eyebrows rose. “No? Then why the urgency?”
Looking at his handsome face with those devilishly sexy brown eyes, she wished ardently that she possessed the confidence to tell him the truth. That she hungered for the sight of him and missed him terribly, but since he touched her not in the least since arriving Aimee felt a void in their relationship which she did not have the right to fill.
“At the time it seemed of consequence, but since then has lost its importance.”
He sat up and dropped his feet to the floor, placing his elbows on his lap. “Why don’t you let me be the judge of that?”
“Um,” Clearing her voice she tried again, “I thought that maybe instead of always going out on a Saturday evening we could make supper here and rent a movie—uh, you know like we used to.”
He didn’t look surprised or react in any manner for that matter, but instead stared at her blankly for mere seconds before responding, “Sure, why not. Some Saturday we’ll do that, if that’s what you want.”
Aimee frowned. “Some Saturday? How about this one coming up?”
“Well I already made plans. I thought we would take in a matinee, get something to eat at East Side and then afterward we could go dancing at the Corral.”
“We don’t have to go dancing. Instead we could come back here—”
“But you love dancing.”
“I do, it’s just that I thought it would be nice to—to spend some-uh, you know—some time alone.”
Again silence. Then, “Maybe some other Saturday, Aimee. What’s the rush?”
What’s the rush? She had only been wanting to be intimate with him for well over ten years and he asks what is the rush? She sighed, remembering for Colin, he had never thought of her that way. This was all new to him.
“Okay, what about next Saturday?”
He shook his head, “Sorry, but I won’t be available that day. I’ve got a car show in Hanover. There’s a guy up there that’s got some parts that Ted and I need so we won’t be back until late.”
Aimee’s heart froze. “Ted? You’re taking Ted?”
“Yeah, he’s got his hands on a Shelby and there’s a dealer we got a hold of who’s got a dual quad induction that we want to have a look at.”
“I don’t understand.” She stared at him dumbfounded.
“That’s the part of the piston which regulates the carburetor—”
“For god’s sake, Colin, I don’t mean that,” she unexpectedly exploded. “How could you take Ted?”
He frowned. “I just explained that—”
“I don’t want to hear an excuse. I want to hear the truth.”
He arched his brow before inquiring, “What are you talking about?”
“You would have taken me a month ago.”
Getting to his feet he placed his hands on his hips and said, “What’s all this about?”
“You tell me,” Aimee demanded in return. “You hardly ever want to spend time with me.”
Colin frowned. “Don’t pull the jealous girlfriend act.”
“I am not jealous.” She could have nearly choked on the gasp from her throat. “I just want to spend some time with you.”
“Believe me, the possessive act is far worse.”
“Possessive! It’s been nearly two weeks since we last went out.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
“No,” she ground out between clenched teeth; “I am not exaggerating. As a matter-of-fact, the depth of how clear I see things couldn’t be more accurate. I think you’re trying to avoid this conversation.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Throwing up her hands she swiveled around aggravated. “This is ridiculous. I think it’s time we be honest.”
“What do you want from me, Aimee?”
“What I want?” She looked at him in earnest and answered his question unspoken. I want you to love me. Instead, she said, “I just want you to spend a little more time with me.”
He frowned. “This has got to do with my taking Ted to the car show? Hell, I didn’t even think you wanted to go.”
Confounded, Aimee shook her head in bewilderment. Was this really Colin she was speaking with? The man in front of her seemed an imposter. Aimee got angry. “You’ve got the wrong girlfriend, Colin. I’m not Sheila.”
“You’re right about that. She had a life of her own and never behaved possessive.”
“Then maybe you ought to go back to her.”
Infuriated, he gave his head a shake in frustration as if to clear it. “Don’t be stupid.”
“Oh, I see. You think I’m jealous, possessive and now stupid. Your true feelings of how you see me are becoming very clear.”
“Aimee, you’ve said enough. I think I better go home before one of us says something we’ll later regret.” He headed for the front door.
Aimee was right on his heels. “Fine, if you want to walk out then you can keeping on walking.”
He stopped so abruptly that Aimee nearly colliding into his backside. The look of shock on his face had Aimee realizing her own words. His voice however was flat. “You don’t mean that, Aimee.”
With clarity so lucent Aimee conceded to herself with agony that they could no longer go forward. The pain this knowledge brought caused an affliction so intense, she was certain the sharp pang piercing her chest was the mournful silencing of her heart forever. Her only prayer was that they could return to the former warmth and closeness they once shared.
With a shaky voice she told him, “I-I just want to be friends again.”
She hadn’t expected the look of sadness in his face. In all honesty she had been avoiding the painful belief that this was what he had wanted. That it was she who had been holding on to the hope that miracles of all miracles he would come to care for her the way she cared for him.
“I don’t believe this.” His look of sorrow turned to bewilderment. He could not have missed that their new-formed relationship wasn’t working. Sooner or later it was destined to come to an end. “You’re breaking up with me?”
“Not exactly.” Aimee attempted to ease the moment. “I want to go back to the way we were. Friends.”
He ran a hand through his curly locks and replied stunned, “No one’s ever broken up with me before.”
“What?” The hair on her neck stiffened.
“Over a car show?” His two brows came together. “If you wanted to come that badly, why didn’t you just ask?”
Her back rigid, she responded with as much control as she possibly could. “I wouldn’t come to your stupid car show if you got down on your knees and begged my forgiveness at your selfish, male-egotistic, pompous attitude. As for your precious dating record, I apologize for breaking such an impressive monument of self-centeredness.” She took a breath then finished with, “I assure you, if I had known earlier, I would have broken up with you a lot sooner.”
Colin’s face went stone cold. His silence stretched until Aimee thought she would burst. At last he said, “I think I’d better go.”
Frowning she watched as he walked away. Why didn’t he get angry? Didn’t her words make him mad? The truth hurt her more than it did him. He didn’t love her. If he had, he would fight for their love. Instead she watched as he walked calmly out of her apartment.
Because she loved him dearly, she couldn’t let him go without one last fight. “This is what you wanted, Colin. You were never happy with our new relationship.”
He stopped, paused for a moment then turned around. “You have no idea what I want.”
Wanting to cry, she bit her bottom lip hard before saying, “Then let’s just go back to being friends again. The way it used to be. Please?”
His eyes met hers. She searched their brown depths for the answer she sought but could not find. “We can never go back. Things could never be the same.”
The hard lump in her throat prevented her from speaking. After waiting to hear her unspoken response, he quietly said, “Goodbye Aimee,” before walking out of her life.
When the door closed behind him, she allowed herself the tears to flow. She cried well into the night until at last there were no more tears to come. The meeting was supposed to have ended in a resolution. Foolish misunderstandings cleared and once again Aimee would have her best friend back with the sweet addition of being his lover. Instead, she stupidly ended their dating relationship, which seemed unavoidable, and in the process was unable to salvage their friendship. She had lost everything. The error had been in thinking she could have had the best of both worlds. The reality was such bliss could not really exist.
The days that followed felt void and meaningless and there had been more than once where she yearned to call him. Words of apology and forgiveness she would willingly plea. However, though it might have been what he wanted to hear, Aimee was not sure if she was ready to stand behind her words of apology.
Some of what she had said that night she conceded may have been untrue, but some had been honest and painful in the process. She just prayed that someday Colin would forgive her.
* * *
Weeks had passed with the approach of an assailing northern winter. Outside the air was cold and frosty, cloaking the earth in a bleak and arctic-like shield. Trees had long discarded their leaves and were left bare, but the threat of snow had yet to arrive leaving the earth brown and hard.
With Christmas not far off, Aimee had thought that she and Colin would have reconciled by this time. However, he never answered her phone calls at home and refused to accept them at work. It seemed to be taking him a lot longer than she anticipated in forgiving her.
Her patience was wearing thin and she found herself in the recent becoming more restless. More than her self-esteem would have preferred, but the need to have him back in her life was becoming a hunger she desperately needed to feed. She never once doubted that the conflict couldn’t have been mended. A lot of faith and love on her part wouldn’t have allowed it any other way. All he needed was time and then he would return. Their friendship was true strong.
However, that resolve was greatly tested one Saturday morning when shopping at the local grocery store. She spotted him at the far end of the bakery department. Not having seen him in so long, she went completely immobile as she drank in the pure sight of him. Even from her distance her need for him nibbled painfully at her heart. She was on the verge of calling out his name when a woman appeared at his side.
She froze and watched as he looked up from a bin of pastries, took a step closer to the woman and offered her one of his charming smiles. It was a smile she had loved dearly and missed terribly, a smile she thought she would never see again, and here he was bestowing it upon another woman.
A pain in her chest began to form and Aimee thought she was going to suffocate from the pure agony of this sight. Wanting to turn and run, she however found herself instead transfixed to the spot unable to tear her eyes away from the scene. It was a self-inflicting torture to watch as the couple across the dairy aisle shared a few words, exchanged smiles, and a soft giggle from the very woman whose attention captivated Colin.
Then without warning, he suddenly looked in Aimee’s direction. She knew instantly he had not expected to see her for his warm smile faded instantly and a coldness filled his expression instead. He held her gaze in grim stillness until Aimee thought she couldn’t endure it any longer.
With a jerk, she moved quickly away from the milk crates and disappeared behind the closest aisle. A need to escape desperately had her dropping her basket on a nearby frozen bunker and hurrying down the produce department toward the store’s exit. Sanctuary was within reach when Colin’s form loomed from out of nowhere and directly into her path.
She came to a screeching halt, preventing a head-on collision. Even as she came up just inches short of impact, he did not so much as move to stop her. If it hadn’t been for her own quick instincts, he would have easily allowed her to collide straight into his broad chest.
Catching her breath, she looked up into his harsh gaze and fell speechless. Even with the rough edges creasing those otherwise magnificent eyes, they were able to stifle the very breath from Aimee.
He spoke first, the grave undertones matching those of his expression. “Not shopping today?”
Aimee glanced down at her empty hands willing her voice to return. When she looked back up, she schooled her emotions long enough to say, “I didn’t really need anything.”
He did not respond, instead stood looking down at her with an unyielding stance. Wanting desperately to break the ice, she sought in earnest for her next words. What she found came from the depths of her soul and were released without her consent. In a small voice, she heard herself whisper, “I’ve missed you.”
The foreboding look on his face did not falter and when she thought he would not respond, he replied indifferently, “You’ll get used to it.”
Aimee couldn’t have been more assaulted if he had literally struck her across the face. The initial blow which had plunged a knife into her chest when they had broken up, thrust the remaining blade into her heart and severed the link to her soul.
Where she imagined she should have come away completely shattered, she was startled by a strength she was unaware she possessed.
“You’re right, I will.” Then brushing past his shoulder purposely, she moved past him and left him standing alone amongst the crate of apples.
What she did not see as she fled the store with eyes burning of pride and a chin quivering in despair, was the look of remorse which dulled his ashen face.