“I’m going to call her and let it slip that we’re going on a date.”

“To where?”

“To where what?” He sounded confused.

“Where are we going on the date?” I said with a small smile. “I know we’re not really going, but if Alice asks you where we’re going, she’s going to expect an answer and you’re going to need to have something on the tip of your tongue.”

“Oh, I guess,” he said. “Dinner and a movie?”

“No,” I said. “That sounds too intimate. You want to make her slightly jealous, not have her thinking she doesn’t have a shot.”

“Then what?”

“Maybe an art exhibit?” I suggested. “It’s casual, but still a fun date.”

“Yeah, I guess. Um, should I say we’re going to the Museum of Sex? Get her mind rolling in the gutter?”

“Aiden!” I almost shouted. “You’re a typical man. No, don’t say we’re going to the Museum of Sex. Say you’re taking me to an exhibit, Picasso or Monet, or whoever. See what exhibits the museums have right now.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. I think that there might be a Degas exhibit in town right now.”

“Okay, that’s our date, then. If she asks, we’re going to a Degas exhibit.”

“Okay then.” He laughed. “Oh, and by the way, do you play flag football?”

“Nope,” I said and he laughed.

“Honest answer, but I need you to start playing.”

“Oh, why?”

“We’re all going to be playing in this league and I want you to come.”

“Who is ‘all’?”

“Alice, Liv, my brothers, Liv’s fiancé Xander and his brother Henry.”

“Your brothers Scott and Chett?” I asked softly, my heart thudding. Oh my God, was I finally going to see Scott again? I wondered what he would do if he saw me. What would he think? Did he still hate me?

“Yeah. Good memory,” he said sounding surprised. “I only mentioned them once before.”

“Yeah, I’m an actress, remember?” I said quickly. “I’ve got a good memory.”

“Yeah.” He laughed. “Okay, so we have a match this week. I’ll text you the info and you can come, okay?”

“Okay, sounds good.” I took a deep breath. “So I’m going to meet Alice as well?”

“Yeah.” His voice softened. “She’ll be there as well.”

“You should just ask her out, Aiden.”

“I will,” he said with a sigh. “I just need to make sure that this is something she really wants as well. Because this is for forever for me. And if she’s not ready for forever, I’ll be heartbroken.”

“I understand,” I said softly. “I’ll talk to you later, Aiden,” I said and hung up. I lay back on my bed and closed my eyes. What would it feel like to be loved by someone that much? This Alice didn’t even know how lucky she was. Aiden absolutely adored her. I only hoped that she was worthy of his love. I was scared that I was going to meet her and think she wasn’t good enough for Aiden. Or that she didn’t love him like he loved her. I was praying that she was the one for him. I wasn’t sure I could handle being a part of another heartbreak, even if it wasn’t my own.

***

“Lacey, I cannot believe I have to play flag football.” I groaned into the phone as I walked to the field where I was meeting Aiden.

“Girl, who cares about the football? I’m more concerned about the fact that you’re going to see Scott again!”

“Yeah, there’s that as well,” I said casually, though my heart was racing.

“How are you feeling?”

“Nervous as hell,” I said, my throat dry.

“Understandable,” Lacey said. “I’m sure it will be fine. I bet he’ll see you and beg you to take him back.”

“I sincerely doubt that,” I said. “Especially when he hears I’m there with Aiden.”

“You’re not going to allow him to think that, are you?”

“Hell no.” I laughed. “I’m going to tell him as soon as I get an opportunity.”

“Good,” Lacey said. “I wish I could have come.”

“Yeah, me too. Maybe you can come to the next game. Hopefully it will be fun. I can’t believe I’m going to be meeting Scott’s whole family.”

“I know, it’s crazy.”

“I hope he’s not still angry at me,” I said, as my stomach curdled. “That would suck.”

‘Girl, just be prepared for a cold reception from him and then go from there.”

“Yeah.” I sighed. “I know. Eek, I’m seeing them on the field. I’ll call you when I’m on my way back, okay?”

“Okay. Good luck,” Lacey said and hung up. I put my phone back into my bag and ran onto the field, taking several deep breaths as I approached the group. I ran over to Aiden and I could see Alice staring at me with big eyes.

“There you are, darling.” I ran over to Aiden and gave him a huge smile.

“Lizzie!” he exclaimed and started beaming at me. I thought he was putting it on a bit strong, but who was I to say anything? I could feel Alice staring at me with a stiff face and I hid a small smile. So maybe this girl did like him after all.