Chapter 303
Aria’s POV
I glanced around the restaurant as we settled in. Nearly 6 PM and the place was comfortably occupied – not packed, but with enough diners to create that pleasant background hum of conversation.
The moment we sat down, I realized something embarrassing.
“I need to wash my hands,” I said, standing up abruptly. I’d been petting Snow right before we left and completely forgotten about it.
Aiden glanced up at me with those intense eyes. “Alright p>
The restroom was all the way on the left side of the restaurant while our table was tucked into the far right corner. As I made my way across the dining room, I passed a small stage where a young woman played piano, her fingers dancing across the keys with practiced elegance. I paused briefly to listen, appreciating the soothing melody before continuing on my way.
I hadn’t made it halfway to the restroom when a figure stepped directly into my path. “Aria, it’s been a while p>
My stomach dropped. Liam White. Of all the people in all the restaurants in this city.
I pressed my lips together, trying to control my expression. “Mr. White, excuse me.” I deliberately used his formal name, making it clear we weren’t on familiar terms anymore.
He didn’t move. Instead, he looked at me with that practiced wounded expression I once found so convincing. “Aria, can I just talk to you for a minute p>
“No,” I replied instantly, not even needing to think about it. If he had more to add, that was his problem, not mine.
I frowned and tried to step around him.
“Aria!” His voice rose sharply in panic.
The sudden outburst turned heads. In such an elegant setting where the piano music floated gently and tables were spaced for privacy, his loud call of my name felt like a violation. Several nearby diners looked our way, their curious gazes making my skin crawl.
I felt my face harden. “Liam White, move aside. Now p>
He seemed genuinely surprised by the reaction he’d caused. After a moment’s hesitation, he stepped back, lowering his voice to an urgent whisper. “Aria, I really need to talk to you about your father, Benjamin. If you want to know more, I’ll be waiting at our old spot p>
Then he turned and walked away, Madison trailing behind him like a shadow. I hadn’t even noticed her standing there. Unbelievable. After that disastrous engagement and all the vicious gossip that followed, they were still together. A familiar ache pressed against my chest, but it wasn’t heartbreak anymore – just disgust and a bone-deep weariness. I wanted nothing to do with either of them or anything from my past, but… he’d mentioned my father. That I couldn’t ignore.
I quickly made my way back to our table without washing my hands, no longer caring about that minor issue. Aiden sat by the window, completely unaware of what had just happened about forty feet away.
He looked up as I approached, extending the menu toward me. “See anything you’d like p>
I took a breath, accepting the menu while studying his face. After a moment of internal debate, I bit my lip and made my selections. Once I handed the menu back,
I couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“I just ran into Liam White p>
Aiden’s posture changed instantly, a subtle shift that most people wouldn’t notice. But I did. His shoulders squared slightly, jaw tightening as his eyes flashed with something dangerous.
“Oh?” His eyebrow quirked upward, his voice deceptively casual. “Did he give you trouble p>
I shook my head, then nodded, confused by my own response. “He stopped me, said some weird things p>
Aiden set down his water glass, his eyes never leaving mine. “What exactly did he say to you p>
“He said he needed to talk to me about something related to my dad,” I explained, resting my chin on my hand. “That’s all he said before I walked away p>
Aiden leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between us across the table. “And you’re telling me this because p>
The question hung in the air between us. Was he asking if I wanted to follow up with Liam? If I was still interested in what my ex had to say?
“Because I don’t want secrets between us,” I answered honestly, meeting his gaze. “Not even small ones p>
Something softened in his expression. He reached across the table, his fingers brushing against mine in a touch that was both possessive and tender.
“Smart woman,” he murmured, his thumb tracing circles on my wrist. “How would he know anything about your father p>
His question hit me like a splash of cold water. I hadn’t even thought of that. “I… I didn’t stay to find out. I just walked away p>
“Don’t worry about it,” Aiden said, his
voice dropping to that intimate register that seemed reserved just for me He’s probably lying to get your attention. You shouldn easily trust people He paused, his fingers tightening slightly around mine. “Especially someone who’s proven he doesn’t deserve you p>
The intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. Was this jealousy?
“I don’t,” I assured him, turning my hand to intertwine our fingers. “Trust him, I mean p>
Aiden’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Good. Because I’d hate to have to remind him that you’re a Carter now p>
The possessiveness in his statement should have bothered me, but instead, it sent heat pooling low in my stomach.
“Would you?” I asked softly, testing the waters. “Remind him p>
Aiden’s eyes darkened as he brought my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss against my knuckles that was both a promise and a warning. “Without hesitation p>
My cheeks flushed as I reached for my fruit juice with my free hand, taking a small sip to hide my reaction. The restaurant’s food really was excellent, but suddenly I was hungry for something the menu couldn’t provide.
Speaking of distractions, I remembered Lillian. I realized I hadn’t properly caught up with her lately. Our conversations had been brief, just a few messages back and forth before trailing off. She seemed unusually busy.
I pulled out my phone, snapped a quick photo of our elegant table
setting (carefully avoiding capturing predatore
Aiden’s predatory gaze and sent it’
to her with the message: This place is amazing! We should come here together sometime, Lill.
Her response came immediately: My eyes are burning from all this romance!
I sent her an apologetic emoji, expecting our usual back-and-forth banter, but no
further messages appeared. Strange. Lillian always had the last word in our conversations. Something was definitely up with her.
“Everything okay?” Aiden asked, noticing my frown.
“Just Lillian being weird,” I replied, putting my phone away. “She’s not usually this quiet p>
“Maybe she’s busy,” he suggested, but the look in his eyes told me he was still thinking about Liam White. “Or maybe she doesn’t want to interrupt our evening p>