I suck in a deep breath, swallow my damn pride, and walk toward the entrance. It’s now or never.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

HADLEIGH

“That was exquisite,” Aiden leans in and whispers when the curtain falls. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Yes, it was good,” I lie and force a smile.

The audience erupts into a standing ovation. It was a bad performance, but my head has been elsewhere all night. Aiden’s been a gentleman, but there’s no spark between us. I joined him so he didn’t have to come alone, but now I wonder if it was a mistake. I don’t want to give him the wrong impression or lead him on, something I’m apparently very good at these days.

“Are you ready to go to dinner?” he asks as we make our way out of the theater.

“Yeah, I’m starving.” And I need some alcohol to clear my stupid head.

While we wait for the valet to bring his car around, I fish my phone out of my purse. I texted Harper during intermission.

Hadleigh: We’re about to go to Ale House. The show was fine, but I’m bored as hell. I just want to get drunk and eat junk food on my couch.

Harper: If he’s buying, I say order the expensive shit!

Hadleigh: I don’t wanna be rude. He’s a nice guy…

Harper: But he’s not Knox…?

I sigh because dammit, she’s right. We haven't spoken since our text fight last weekend, and I hate it. Knox has never been good at confronting his feelings, and this is no different. Ever since Kane and I spoke, there’s still a lingering weight on my chest that I need to resolve with Knox. He confessed his feelings and basically begged me to say I was his, and I didn’t. Now I’m the one longing for a second chance.

God, I’m insufferable.

“So what was your residency like?” I ask while we wait for our food at the restaurant. We’ve been here thirty minutes and have made lots of small talk, but still, it’s like hanging out with a friend. Like when Kane and I used to watch movies and talk about random shit.

“It was hard and demanding, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Long shifts and even longer nights. I learned a lot, but I’m glad to be at a smaller hospital now. Makes me feel like I can actually devote more time to my patients. I do miss my co-workers, though.”

“I bet San Angelo is a baby town compared to what you were used to,” I say, chuckling around my glass of wine. It wasn’t my preference, but he ordered a bottle for the table.

“Yes, but I enjoy it. How long have you been working there?” he asks.