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 agree to

room and stopped as I felt the heaviness in

room was clean.

few days ago I loved all three. But now, the

it missed toys s**ered messily on the floor. Maybe it missed coffee stains

over to the couch. It was

fall to the rug. It

quiet. Way too clean.

felt so lonely in my life until I came to the pent- house tonight and found every

no sharp happy giggles from my son as I tick- led him lightly

no soft giggles coming from his mother as she stared at us. As she watched me

then that I was reaching her. That it

make her forgive me for all the s*it

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

And clearly…

scan over the empty living

wanted them to live

know that she would definitely give

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

trust.

do if I wanted us to be a

much was clear,

and walked over to

would really love

the tie somewhere on the sofa and throw my

really hate this feeling of loneliness. I

to hear them in here. To see them in

74.72

my

out.

when I saw

Sergio.

thumb over the answer button and lift the

that I’ve received the files. Al- so, I want to have a word with

between

me to go to another business meeting to

is it?” I asked

to fight for, I didn’t need him to

think I found

Sophie’s pov

his gaze swirling with deep confusion and

Aiden Xavier?” He asked with

tell him the truth. Bernard

to lie

told

I wanted to leave the job. The

Aiden was Ashton’s

as I brought the

at the diner, the very same one

years.

I came here to have coffee with

Mila approaches us.

you two need anything else? A croissant?”

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

but there was a different edge in his voice when he spoke to me

few. Running late.” I

smile.

anything else other than a

away

reacted that way when I said you left the

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

with

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

he meant it. He would’ve done anything to keep you by his side. I don’t

lips together as I frowned. Bernard

he al- ways

to give him his props for?

was clear so when he got out of jail earlier when he was supposed

something to both fear and look up