The Girl He Craves

84

Sophie’s pov

When Aiden leaves, I plop down on the chair with a sigh while lifting Ashton onto my lap.

I let him play with my fingers as I look at my Mila who sat on the loveseat mirroring the sofa I sat on. She’s staring at me in confusion and shock.

“Sophie….” She trailed off in a stunned tone.

Knowing what she was going to say I nodded. “Yes I know. I’m shocked too. Even more confused.” I admitted.

She saw how Aiden acted with Ashton just a few minutes ago. He was warmer, more friendlier, and calmer than he had been years ago.

It stunned us all.

“From how bossy, arrogant, and intimidating he was earli- er to now warm, smiley and friendly is a huge leap within hours. He was so stern this morning and then in his office he

was-

I stopped and blushed furiously as I played with Ashton’s tiny fingers.

Mila’s eyes narrowed as her brows lift and she stared at me in amusement. “He was what?” Her lips tug up as if she was fighting a smile or a laugh.

“Yeah. He was what Soph?” Ria teased as she walked over with three mugs filled with coffee on a platter. She gives one

to Mila and then walks over to me to give me one.

“Nothing,” I blushed and lifted the rim of the mug to my lips, and took a sip of the coffee.

I winced. It was way too sweet but I knew better than to tell Ria that her coffee making skills were not top notch.

Unfortunately, Mila didn’t have the same thoughts as me.

“Ria you added way too much sugar in this coffee.” Mila cringes as she wipes her top lip.

Ria glares at her as she plops down on the other loveseat on the left.

“Well then you should have done your own coffee b**h.” She snapped.

I shot her a furious glare that she winced to and mumbled an apology.

I sighed and then brushed some of Ashton’s hair.

“I seriously thought you had been kidnapped Soph when I got here and you were nowhere in sight. Mila sent me that text seconds before I was about to dial 9-1-1.” Ria grumbles.

I winced. “Sorry. It’s not like I had a choice too. Aiden be- ing Aiden threatened an innocent man’s job. He literally threw me across his shoulder and left the apartment with me kicking and screaming.”

I need to call Bernard later and set a date for coffee so we could talk about what’s been happening between Aiden and me. He deserved that much for going out of his way to help.

Mila rolled her eyes. “It wouldn’t be Aiden if he hadn’t threatened you.”

Ria snorted. “Was he always like this in high school?”

I nodded. “Annoying, rude and bossy then yes. A bully too.” I grumble and then looked down at Ashton.

Sighing heavily I admitted. “But I’ve considered giving him the benefit of the doubt and will let him have a chance to show me if he truly cares about Ash at all. Tonight he showed he did. Hopefully, he’ll continue to show me and convince me that he has changed.”

Mila nods. “I agree. Give him a chance maybe he has changed. I also saw the way he looked at you two, especially you Soph-

I shook my head and cut her off. “No. Don’t go there, Mila. We both know how it ends up when I give him a chance back in my heart. I’m not going to let my guard down so easily be- cause of a few stares here and there. I’m tougher now.”

Well I hoped I was tougher now.

Mila nods and looked at Ria.

I knew they were thinking the same. They were doubting that I can resist Aiden.

Especially with the way he looked at me tonight while he was playing with Ashton on the rug.

But I’m about to prove them wrong.

Aiden’s pov

I tried to move the tie off my neck as I closed the door be-

hind me.

than I thought but I managed to make that woman agree to sign the

and stopped as

room was clean. Spotless.

But now,

s**ered messily on the floor. Maybe

gaze sweep over to the couch.

the rug. It was way too

too clean. Way too spotless. Way too

in my life until I came to

were no sharp happy giggles from my son as

stared at us. As she watched me play with our son

that I

heart and hopefully make her forgive me for all the

her good graces. I re- ally did want Sophie and Ashton in my

And clearly…

over the

to live

not know that she would definitely give me hell before she

she’d never agree. She’d never want to leave her friends, and the apart- ment she’s known for years to live with someone she

trust.

had more work to do if I wanted us to be a family.

much was clear,

over to the huge

really

the tie somewhere on the sofa and throw my head back and watched

hate this feeling of loneliness. I hated how

crave to hear them in here. To see them in here. To wake up

74.72

suddenly blares in my pocket and I

out.

clenched when I saw the caller

Sergio.

thumb over the answer button and

to let you know that I’ve received the files. Al- so,

between my

want me to go to

it?” I

to fight for, I didn’t

I found you a

Sophie’s pov

his

father is Aiden Xavier?”

tell him the truth. Bernard has after all done so much for me and

bare to lie

I told him

were in high school. The reason why I wanted to leave the job. The reason

Aiden was Ashton’s dad. I told

as I brought the cup of coffee to

the diner, the very same one I

years.

I came here to have coffee

Mila approaches us.

you two need anything else? A croissant?” Mila

I’m surprised

a different edge in his voice when

in a few. Running late.” I said to

smile.

declined anything else other than a

away soon

way when

He had no right to threaten your job. But

the diner, those talks with me let me know

not make a little disagreement with Aiden cost the innocent man his job. I’ll not be the cause

“Honestly this wasn’t the first time Aiden has threatened my position. But that time he meant it. He would’ve done anything

as

and he al- ways got

to give him his props for?

anything. It was clear so when he got out of jail earlier when he

was something to both