Like, Lust, Love (Friends-to-Lovers Standalone) by Maya Rose

Author:Maya Rose [Rose, Maya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-08-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

Aiden

◆◆◆

I can’t believe she brought him here. To my house. I did what she asked two days ago. Moved out of her apartment, stopped going to our restaurant...I’m even texting her sparingly, not all the time like I want to. I’m back to relying on surveillance photos to know her whereabouts. So I give her space and this is what she does with it? Jumping in with both feet into...what...what is that? What is she thinking, introducing him proudly to all these people? And why won’t she stop touching him? Or smiling easily when he grins at her? Or eating oysters that he offers her when she hates them?

“You said this was a small gathering.” I spat the accusation at mom when River walked into the room twenty minutes ago, the lawyer at her side. “You said it was going to be family and friends only.”

Mom didn’t even look up from inspecting the buffet arrangement when she answered me. “If this is about River and her plus one, she asked me if she could bring Daniel. What was I supposed to say--no?”

“Yes! How long has she known him? A week?! And what do we know about him? Nothing!” Entirely false. I had a background check done on him the day he materialized at the restaurant. He’s cleaner than my house. Fights for justice, is friends with his exes, volunteers at a soup kitchen, throws his sister baby showers, not even a parking ticket to his name...what a schmuck.

“Well, here’s your chance. Get to know him better. Make sure he’s right for her. Give him the if-you-hurt-her-I’ll-hurt-you speech.”

Incensed, I bit back a curse. “I’m not giving her my goddamn blessing on this, mom, and neither will you.”

Mom had looked up then with a sharp glare. “I’m sorry--who is it you think you’re talking to? Because last I checked, I’m your mother, and you don’t get to tell me what I will and will not do.”

“Mom, that’s not what I--”

She paused me with a stop sign palm, the gesture River learnt from her. “He’s here because River wants him.” Then she eyed me oddly. “If you want to have him kicked out, I’m not the one you need to persuade.”

Fuck, this is absurd, I think as I look on at my best friend and her date mingling with everyone I know. River and I are acting like awkward teenagers, avoiding looking at each other, and averting our gazes when they inadvertently lock. Why can’t I just go and talk to her? Tell her that I’m uncomfortable with him here, and then she can ditch him. Wouldn’t be the first time she got rid of a guy for me. I’ve never really liked anyone she went out with. No one’s ever good enough. He’s out there somewhere...the guy that will earn her...someone mature and put together and strong and perfect...but it ain’t this fucker here, never mind his biker looks and gym physique and slick charm. Just go. Tell her. She’ll never

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