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.

business dinner took longer than I thought but I managed to make that woman

and stopped as I felt the heaviness in

room was clean. Spotless.

few days ago I loved all three. But

floor.

sweep over to the

to the rug. It was way

way too quiet. Way too clean. Way

in my life until I came to the pent- house tonight and found

happy giggles from my son

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

I was reaching her.

and hopefully make her forgive me for all the s*it

get into her good graces.

And clearly…

over the empty

wanted them to live with

that she

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

trust.

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

much was clear,

over to the huge sectional

would really

and throw my head back

of loneliness. I hated

To see

74.72

phone suddenly blares in my pocket

out.

clenched when I saw the

Sergio.

answer button and lift the

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

pinched between my

must want me to go to another

it?”

had a family to fight for, I didn’t need him to stress me out

found you

Sophie’s pov

from me, his gaze swirling with

is Aiden Xavier?”

not tell him the truth. Bernard

couldn’t bare to lie to

I told him

The reason why I wanted to leave

was Ashton’s dad. I told him

brought the

the diner, the very same one I have worked

years.

here to have coffee with Bernard and

Mila approaches us.

two need anything else? A croissant?” Mila

late for work and I’m surprised Aiden hasn’t called my phone

a different edge in his

few. Running late.” I said to Mila with

smile.

else other than

walks away soon

that way when I said

so sorry I pulled you into that mess with Aiden, Bernard. He had no right to threaten

with me let me know that

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

would’ve done anything to

press my lips together as I

al- ways got it. But was that something to fear? Yes.

to give him his props for?

was clear so when he got out of

And that was something to both fear and look