I pulled up in front of the trailer. The streetlight in front of my parents’ place was out. The rest of the street was quiet. I enjoyed the quiet of the neighborhood and the bite of cold in the air that promised snow in the near future, taking my time going to the door. The talk with Kendall was on my mind, but I wanted to wait until I was in pajamas in bed before I thought about everything she’d told me. When it was dark, I could think clearly.

That was what I told myself.

Inside, I was taking off my coat in the entryway when Mom appeared around the corner, her hands clasped together.

I set my tote bag on the washing machine. “Sorry, Mom. I didn’t think to let you know I wasn’t going to be home in time for supper. I already ate.”

“No problem. We ended up having company, so there won’t be too many leftovers.”

The street was lined with vehicles, but I hadn’t paid attention. “Who?” I asked as I followed her to the dining room.

Aiden rose from the table. He was in his business clothes, but he’d shed his suit coat and tie. The top button of his shirt was undone. I forced my gaze to stay on his face instead of tracing down his wide shoulders and admiring how his defined chest tapered to his waist. If he turned around, all bets were off. His ass was unfair.

“I returned your mom’s container, and she invited me to stay since you weren’t home.”

Mom grunted and picked the serving dishes off the table. Randall rose to help her. Stuffed pork chops. Damn. My burger had been good, but not miss-Mom’s-stuffed-pork-chops good.

“I admit to being selfish,” Mom said. “He eats my food like he can’t afford the best in town.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “Yours is the best in town.”

Mom rolled her eyes but turned her back before we could see her smile. Randall lifted his chin toward the hallway. “Go on and talk in your room or something. I’m afraid there’s not much privacy anywhere else.”

“And outside is too cold,” Mom added. Their backs were to us. Were they pushing me and Aiden together?

I shifted my gaze to Aiden. He hadn’t taken his eyes off me. I could kick him out, but after my earlier talk, maybe Aiden and I needed a few more words. “You mind?” I asked.

His shoulders relaxed. “No.”