TARA

“Actually, I don’t think I want you to leave tonight. Do you mind staying?” I asked Aidan after he told me that he wanted to leave, and his answer was quick.

“No. Not really.”

I didn’t expect that answer, and I also didn’t expect the sting of his words to hurt my neck that much.

Still, I managed to ask, not hiding my disappointment. “Do you…have to work or something else to take care of?”

Aidan shook his head once, his face having an expression that I didn’t understand. “I just want to be home,” he said.

“Oh.”

I searched his face, trying to discern what was happening here…until...