as the estate.” She turns toward the kitchen, looking at the old-fashioned stove and refrigerator, a baby blue to compliment the cream-colored cabinets.
“I have some cleaning supplies that I used when I moved into the other side,” I offer. “All this place really needs is a good dusting.”
She eyes me, brushing back her dark hair. “And when did you move in?”
My lips curve upward. “I’ve only been here about a week.”
“I see. Well, I think this will be a nice enough place to spend my summer.” She pauses, thoughtful. “Have you seen the library?”
I nod. “Mrs. Morgan showed it to me when I was hired. It looks like a lot of work.”
Now it’s her turn to smile. “Yes. At least a summer’s worth, if not more.”
“Cool. That’s about how long I plan on being here too.” I trail after her to the bedroom, taking advantage of the doorway to stretch my arms over my head.
As I watch, she turns from the window and catches me mid-stretch. Her cheeks turn pink, and her blush deepens when she realizes I’m aware of it.
She’s checking me out. I mean, she always has, even when she was a serious-faced little girl. I’ve always found it flattering, though I would never act on it. Still, it gives me pause now.
Is there something hovering in the air between us? Or am I just starving for attention out here in the middle of nowhere? I need to get my head straight, but she is making that very hard right now.
Olivia clears her throat, pulling me from my thoughts. “Are there any other people working here that I should know about?”
“Mmm… I don't think so. If there are, I haven’t met them. But Mrs. Morgan did mention that her grandson would be around sooner or later. Carter, I think.”
She raises an eyebrow. “He doesn’t live here?”
She turns back to the window, sliding it up to open it. The fresh air blows in, seeming fragrant and damp after I’ve spent the last ten minutes inhaling the stale air in the apartment.
“Not that I know of.” I wipe some dust off the top of the dresser, coughing at the dust in the air. “I’m going to go grab those cleaning supplies. Then I’ll start bringing your things from the car, I guess.”
Olivia smiles. “Thanks. That would be good.”
I head toward the front door of the apartment and she follows me. I hear her suck in a breath.
“Hey Aiden?”
I stop in the doorway. “Yeah?”
She tucks her hair behind her ear and flushes. “I’m glad that you’re here.”
I smile briefly. “You too, Olivia.”
I’m not sure that’s even true, if I’m being honest. I guess what I mean is, better you then some dude I don't know. But beggars can’t be choosers, so…
As her cheeks go red, I head out the door, trying desperately not to wonder… what if…
Chapter Five
Olivia
You too, Olivia.
What I wouldn’t give to be able to see inside his head just then.
Seeing Aiden is like a kick to the chest. Every time I look up and spy him out of the corner of my eye, I feel butterflies in my stomach. My mouth goes dry, my cheeks turn pink.
I am one hundred percent still that little girl, looking up at her big brother’s best friend with adoring eyes. It’s frustrating to be stuck back in that place with Aiden, especially since I have just graduated freaking college. But I still don't know how else to behave around him.
He just ties me in knots without even trying.
One thing is for certain though. Aiden doesn’t even really see me. He doesn’t notice the way I go to great lengths to put my past behind me. I am sure that he just views me as a grubby little kid still, even though I’ve long since abandoned my dirty sneakers and oversized hoodies.
I sigh. As I open all the windows and knock all the dust from the mattress, I find myself wishing… I don’t know. That I could find my wits around Aiden, first of all. That I could make him look at me with new eyes, see that I’ve been here all along.
But making someone fall in love with you is a pipe dream. Aiden will never love me, not the way I want him to. He’s barely aware that I even have a pulse. I need to resign myself to that fact.
“Here you go,” he rumbles, piling my suitcases just outside my door.
I turn red and mumble, “Thanks.”
I throw myself into cleaning