Summer's End (Wildflowers #5) - Jill Sanders Page 0,19

her. “Technically, we were never really seeing each other.” He shrugged.

“No,” she said as they stepped out into the warm night air. “The only thing I miss about New York is the fall,” she said, changing the topic. “Cool fall nights, the leaves turning colors.”

“What leaves?” he joked. “You lived in the city.”

She chuckled. “I used to run in the park all the time.” She shrugged. “Still, I wouldn’t trade this life for anything,” she admitted.

“You seem off lately,” he told her. He tugged on her arm until she stopped to look at him. “What has you down?”

She shook her head. “I’m not…” She stopped when his eyebrows shot up. Sighing, she rolled her eyes. He obviously knew her too well for her to get away with lying to him. “I guess it’s the wedding. I feel like I’m losing a friend.”

She walked over towards a railing area that overlooked the bay and leaned on it, looking out over the dark water. He moved to stand next to her.

“You know, I still don’t have a date for the big event.” He nudged her shoulder. “We could always go as friends?”

She glanced up at him and frowned. She’d thought about asking him several times but had put it off for fear of him getting the wrong impression.

“Friends?” she asked.

“Sure. Whatever else there is between us, I still think of you as my friend.” He turned so that his back was facing the water and leaned his elbows on the railing as his eyes ran over her slowly. “We may have our differences as far as what we want, but we will always have a great past between us.” He smiled, then leaned closer to her. “Nothing can take that away from us.” His eyes moved to her lips. “Even if you no longer want it, it will always be there.”

She felt her heart skip and sink at the same time. She was about to respond to him when he leaned back and smiled. “So? What do you say? Is it a date between friends?” He held out his hand for hers.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded and shook his hand. “Fine, it’s a date.”

Chapter 6

When the big day of Zoey and Dylan’s wedding finally arrived, Aiden was stuffed into another uncomfortable suit. He was standing at the base of the stairs, waiting for Aubrey and her friends to meet him in the lobby area. He’d volunteered to pick up the group and drive them out to the beach area in one of the golf carts that had been decorated especially for the wedding.

He’d heard through the grapevine that the five friends had enjoyed a bachelorette party two nights ago when he’d been out with the guys in Destin at a local bar for Dylan’s bachelor party. It hadn’t been a wild party, mainly filled with food and beer, but he’d enjoyed getting to know the Costa men a little more.

He’d helped set up the folding chairs on the beach earlier that morning as well as a small arch Liam had made for the bride and groom to stand under during the ceremony.

It had been a few years since he’d attended a wedding. It had been the wedding of one of Danelle’s friends, and the event had been full of people he didn’t know. The entire day had been uncomfortable and strained. Shortly after, Danelle had left him, claiming she’d wanted to go a different direction.

He was better off for it. He could now say that, thanks to Aubrey.

He glanced up just as the five friends made their way down the stairs. He glanced quickly at Zoey’s soft white off-the-shoulder wedding dress. They were carefully descending the stairs while Zoey’s long wedding train was carried for her by the four friends.

“Easy,” Elle said, shifting slightly.

“We’re too early,” Hannah broke in.

Just then, everyone noticed him standing at the base of the stairs.

“Oh god.” Zoey glanced around nervously. “Where is Dylan?”

He chuckled. “I made sure he and his brothers were already out on the beach before coming to get you five.” His eyes moved to Aubrey. She looked amazing in the flowing sky-blue dress. Material draped over her right shoulder, leaving her left one exposed.

Each of the bridesmaid dresses were unique in style and a different soft blue color, creating a rainbow of blue surrounding their friend.

“Ready?” he asked when they’d reached the bottom.

“Hang on.” Zoey stopped them all, then tugged on her friends’ hands until they made a circle. “I just wanted to