Chapter 319
Author’s POV
The bartender handed Aria something vibrant and colorful in a tall, elegant glass. “What is this?” she asked, her voice barely audible over the thumping music.
“House special,” Ryan said, his grin wide. “Just fruit and sparkles, mostly p>
Aria took a tentative sip. It was sweet and incredibly refreshing, with just a hint of something stronger, an undercurrent of fire beneath the fruity flavor. “It’s good,” she admitted, taking another, more confident sip.
Before she could say more, Aiden tossed a set of keys to Ryan. “Happy birthday p>
Ryan caught them and glanced down, his eyes widening in recognition when he realized they belonged to the sports car in Aiden’s garage that he’d been eyeing for months. He raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. “For this gift, I’ll put on my robe p>
As he slipped on his bathrobe, Ryan finally looked at Aria standing beside Aiden and suddenly understood why Aiden had said he was “offensive to the eyes” earlier. He smirked knowingly.
The friendship between them was evident, though not overly demonstrative. Since it was Ryan’s birthday celebration, Ethan Reynolds and Michael Miller were naturally there as well. They had arrived earlier and, having little interest in Ryan’s pool party antics, were playing billiards in the entertainment room.
Seeing Ryan properly covered, Aria finally felt comfortable enough to speak. “Happy birthday, Ryan p>
“Thanks,” Ryan nodded casually, grabbing an entire tray from a passing staff member and holding it out to them. “What would you like to drink p>
Aiden replied lazily, “Nothing alcoholic p>
“Fine. I’ll have someone bring you two some juice. Ethan and the others are playing pool. Want to join them p>
Since it was Ryan’s birthday, Aiden certainly couldn’t just show up and leave. Still, he didn’t immediately agree, turning to look at Aria instead. “Want to play p>
“Sure,” she replied with a smile.
Aiden’s closest friends were all extremely busy men who rarely socialized outside their tight circle. Unlike Ryan, who was a social butterfly, the others preferred keeping to themselves. Their gatherings usually involved nothing more than playing billiards and catching up—quite different from the wild nightlife typical of most wealthy heirs.
Not wanting to dampen the birthday mood, she happily followed as Ryan led them to the entertainment room. Ethan and the others already had enough players for their game, including Ryan’s older brother, Shawn.
Shawn was five years older than Ryan and the others, with children already in middle school. His presence tonight was purely out of brotherly obligation-normally
at this hour, he would be reading bedtime stories to his daughter.
“Aiden’s here. You’re up next game,” one of them called out.
This was Aria’s first time meeting Shawn, and Aiden introduced them briefly. She found him much gentler than she’d imagined, making it difficult to believe he and Ryan were brothers.
It was hard to believe they were brothers-though maybe that was why they got along so well, no battles over family wealth.
When Shawn finished his game, he graciously gave up his spot to Aiden and Aria. Aiden immediately deferred to Aria, saying softly, “I’ll be right beside you p>
Ryan, who had just entered carrying their juice, overheard this. “That’s hardly fair, Carter. You two ganging up on us single guys p>
Aria blushed, about to offer the spot to Ryan instead, when Aiden calmly replied, “You could bring your wife too p>
Ryan fell silent.
Aiden placed the juice in front of Aria and looked up at Ryan with mock innocence. “Oh, that’s right. You don’t have a wife p>
“Neither do any of you,” Ryan retorted, though everyone could hear the defensive edge in his voice.
Aria sat there, her face burning with embarrassment. She picked up her juice and pretended to sip it, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
As they began playing, it quickly became clear that both Aiden and Aria were exceptionally skilled at billiards. They moved around the table with practiced ease, Aiden occasionally leaning in to guide Aria’s shot, his chest pressing against her back as he adjusted her stance. Their chemistry was undeniable, the way they communicated with just a glance or slight nod showing how in tune they were with each other.
With Aiden’s strategic planning and Aria’s precise execution, they systematically demolished their opponents. Ryan and Ethan exchanged increasingly frustrated looks as the couple sank ball after ball, leaving them with barely a chance to play. “This is ridiculous,” Ryan finally complained after Aria sank a particularly difficult corner shot. “You two must practice this at home or something p>
Aiden smirked, watching with undisguised pride as Aria lined up her next shot. “My wife is naturally talented at many things p>
His deliberate emphasis on “wife” made Ryan roll his eyes dramatically.
When they finally won the game, their opponents didn’t bother hiding their dissatisfaction.
“Rematch,” Ethan demanded, reaching for his drink. “That was pure luck p>
“Or maybe you’re just out of
practice, Aiden replied smoothly setting down his cue stick. He-
reached for, Aria’s hand, intertwining their fingers. think we’ve proven our point p>
Without waiting for a response, he gently tugged her toward the door, clearly done with the evening’s socializing.
Aria followed his lead, feeling a rush of excitement at the possessive way his thumb stroked over her knuckles.
The car came to a smooth stop in the garage. Aiden unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to look at Aria, whose cheeks had grown noticeably
Tedder. His expression shifted slightly. “We’re home, Mrs Carter p>
Aria unbuckled her own seatbelt. “I know p>
She bit her lip, suddenly feeling unusually thirsty. Was it fake alcohol?
She got out of the car after opening the door.
“Aiden, I think what I drank really was just juice,” she stated earnestly after closing
the car door, watching as he also exited the vehicle.
Aiden didn’t contradict her. “Then it was juice p>
His response made her feel slightly embarrassed. She added quietly, “Or maybe my
alcohol tolerance isn’t as bad as you think p>
Aiden didn’t offer an opinion on this statement.
Aria blinked, watching him and waiting for a response that didn’t come. Finally,
slightly annoyed, she pressed, “What do you think p>
Surely he didn’t actually believe her tolerance was that poor?
Aiden walked to her side and took her hand, replying unhurriedly, “I think so too p>
As they walked from the garage through the garden, the night breeze was cool against their skin. Aria looked up at the sky and noticed how full the moon appeared. “Aiden, the moon is so round tonight!” she exclaimed, pointing upward with delight. Aiden also glanced up. The moon was indeed particularly full tonight. “Mmm,” he acknowledged, turning his head to look at her.
Noticing his gaze, Aria lowered her arm and met his dark eyes, unconsciously swallowing before speaking. “Aiden, has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes p>
They were so dark and deep, seemingly bottomless—she could get lost in them with
a single look.
“Yes,” he replied.
His answer surprised her, and she felt a twinge of disappointment. “Who p>
She’d thought she was the first.
“You p>
“Huh? When did I ever say that p>
Had her memory failed her? She couldn’t recall ever telling Aiden such a thing.
But that wasn’t what mattered most right now. What mattered was the sudden, overwhelming urge she felt to embrace him.
Aria pressed her lips together, and when a breeze blew past them, she found what seemed like a perfect excuse. It’s a bit cold,” she said, raising her arms to wrap them firmly around his waist pressing her face contentedly against his chest me warm up p>