Chapter 180
Elena’s POV
I thought tagging along to this golf outing would give me a chance to get a word in with Aiden, but no such luck. Ryan wouldn’t shut up the entire time, and Aiden barely spoke-except to Aria. Always to Aria.
Ryan kept rambling on about some business deal or another, leaving me zero opportunity to join the conversation. Michael, standing off to the side, was his usual quiet self, offering no help whatsoever.
By the end of the round, the only thing I’d touched was my damn golf club.
Ryan and Ethan had a different experience altogether. Those two lost a bet and got stuck with the dare—having to tell random strangers “I love you” with their golf clubs in hand. God, so juvenile.
Ryan’s luck was particularly terrible. He approached some hot-headed guy who ended up chasing him around the green with a club for a good few minutes.
Meanwhile, Aria filmed the whole ridiculous scene on her phone, with Aiden standing right beside her, his eyes never leaving her face. Not once. My stomach twisted as I watched him watching her, that intensity in his gaze that he’d never directed at me.
“Elena p>
I jumped at Michael’s sudden voice beside me. “What p>
“You dropped your club p>
I looked down, embarrassed to find my golf club lying at my feet. As I bent to pick it up, Michael added, “Do you always covet things that belong to other people p>
His tone was lazy, but his meaning couldn’t have been clearer.
I pulled my gaze away from Aiden and Aria, facing Michael with what I hoped was a neutral expression. “I’m not sure what you’re implying p>
“A man who isn’t yours will never be yours, no matter how much you stare p>
I forced a smile. “Do you really think Aiden could fall for someone like Aria p>
“What I think doesn’t matter. It’s Aiden’s choice that counts p>
Michael wasn’t playing the gentleman today. “Since you arrived, Aiden barely glanced at you once. After that initial look, you haven’t even existed in his peripheral vision p>
My cheeks burned as he continued, “When Aria changed the subject earlier, Ryan jumped in, and Aiden followed her lead. Not one of us has acknowledged you. Have you asked yourself why p>
He made a dismissive sound. “I can’t stop you from humiliating yourself, but your pathetic display is ruining everyone’s mood p>
I felt like I’d been slapped. No one had ever spoken to me like this-no one. I’m Elena Pierce, for Christ’s sake. My father practically owns half the real estate in this city.
“Aiden has a first love, you know,” I snapped, grasping for something to wound him back.
Michael looked at me with pitying eyes. “Have you ever met her p>
“No, but I know Aiden’s been looking for her. Aria’s just playing a role. Are you all really falling for it p>
Michael suddenly laughed, the sound grating on my already frayed nerves. “Have you considered that Aria might BE Aiden’s first love p>
His words hit me like a wrecking ball. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The possibility had never occurred to me, and I hated how much sense it made. The way Aiden looked at her p>
But I recovered quickly-I always do. “If Aria were Aiden’s precious first love, then Diana Hayes would never have been in the picture all these years p>
I flipped my hair over my shoulder with practiced confidence. “I may not have met Aiden’s first love, but I know for certain it isn’t Aria p>
I said it with absolute conviction, even as doubt gnawed at my insides.
Michael just shrugged. “Believe whatever you want p>
I could tell he didn’t enjoy talking to women like me—women he thought couldn’t
hear the truth. Women he believed lived in self-created fantasies.
If he hadn’t been worried about me ruining their precious little golf outing, he wouldn’t have bothered saying anything at all.
Without another word, Michael walked away, rejoining Aiden and the others.
I stayed rooted to the spot, my fingernails digging into my palm as I watched Aiden lean down to whisper something in Aria’s ear, making her laugh. My grip on the golf club tightened until my knuckles turned white.
What if Michael was right? What if I’d been chasing a man who was already found? No. I couldn’t accept that. Wouldn’t accept that.
Still, as I watched them together-the easy intimacy, the way they moved in perfect sync without even trying something cold and heavy settled in my chest.
After a few more minutes of torturing myself, I turned and walked away. But this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Aiden Carter would be mine. I just needed a new strategy.
Aria’s POV
I thought I’d be able to enjoy dinner with Aiden and his friends after the golf game.
Quick bathroom break first-that’s all I needed.
When I pushed open the restroom
door, I almost groaned out loud. Elena Pierce was standing at the sink, perfectly manicured fingers tucking her lipstick back into ber designer purse. I’d assumed she’d left already. No such luck
“Elena,” I acknowledged with forced politeness.
She nodded, her eyes tracking me in the mirror as slipped into a stall. When I finished and came back out to wash my hands, she hadn’t moved Great The expectant look on her face told me she wasn’t just hanging around to check her
makeup.
I squeezed some soap into my palm. “Something on your mind?” I asked, rubbing my hands together under the water.
“Just curious,” she said, tilting her head. “Did you know Aiden had a first love p>
My hands stilled for a split second before I forced myself to continue washing. “Everyone has a first love,” I replied, reaching for a paper towel. “Don’t you p>
Elena’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “True enough.” She paused, studying me. “I’m just surprised he married someone like you p>
I tossed the crumpled paper towel into the trash. “And I’m surprised how concerned you are with my husband p>
The words slipped out before I could stop them: “Or are you just trying to be the other woman p>
Her face stiffened. “You misunderstand. I simply thought we connected. But if my comments bother you, I’ll stop p>
“Thanks so much,” I said, sarcasm dripping from my voice.
I hung back, hoping she’d leave, but Elena stopped at the door. “One more thing— you’re nothing like his first love, you know. You’re sweet and gentle. She was… fierce. Amazing on a jet ski, too p>
She flashed another insincere smile. “Sorry, there I go again. Enjoy your dinner p>
As she disappeared through the door, I stood frozen by the sink. I knew she was trying to get under my skin. And damn it, it was working.
Aiden had a first love. Someone fierce. Someone who rode jet skis.
The stupid, irrational jealousy bubbled up before I could squash it. I knew I was being ridiculous-hadn’t I just said everyone had a first love? But the thought of Aiden withe santeone else, someone completely different from me p>
God, is this what being in love does to perfectly rational women?
I pushed the thoughts away and went to find Aiden. Ryan and the others had already left, but Aiden was waiting outside, phone pressed to his ear. The evening sun softened his sharp features as he looked up and caught my eye.
Jesus, look at that face. So what if he had a first love? I’d had one too-though mine was better left forgotten.
As I approached, Aiden ended his call and reached for my hand. “What did Elena
say to you p>
I blinked in surprise. “How did you know p>
A half-smile played across his lips, his face shadowed dramatically in the setting
sun. “I installed surveillance on you p>
“You saw her go in after me p>
“Mmm.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “What did she want p>
Under his intense gaze, I hesitated. “She told me about your first love p>
“And you believed her p>
Wait, what?
Aiden clicked his tongue. “Apparently Mrs. Carter doesn’t care much about my past p>
“How does that show I don’t care?” I asked, completely confused.
“If you paid attention,” he said, his voice low, “you’d know I’ve discussed my
romantic history in interviews p>
My face flushed. “But I hardly knew you before… before all this p>
He just looked at me, one eyebrow raised, making me squirm with guilt.
Was I a terrible wife for not knowing? I made a mental note to dig up every interview
he’d ever done the minute we got home.
We walked to the parking lot in silence. Aiden opened my door, waited until I was settled, then slid behind the wheel.
As he started the engine, he suddenly said, “We won today p>
It took me a second to process his words. Then it hit me—our bet on the golf game.
The one where if he won, I’d have to p>
My face burned hot. Would he be upset if I backed out? I snuck a glance at him. He
looked perfectly calm, almost pleased.
Maybe I could still find a way out of this p>
Ryan and the others were already waiting in the private dining room. I heard Ryan
ask his friend Michael, “What did you say to Elena p>
“That woman is trouble,” Michael muttered. “She knows damn well Aiden is
married p>