Still, my heart skips a beat when I open the door and find Aaron standing on the other side, clad in a plaid shirt under his winter coat and jeans. He’s not smiling, which again is so unnatural for Aaron. I don’t like seeing him not as happy as can be.

“Hi,” he says, his voice more unsure than it once was.

“Hey.” I force myself to swallow. “What…what are you doing here?”

His shoulders straighten, as if he just remembered he’s a confident man.

“I’m here to take you somewhere.”

My eyes close. “Aaron…”

“Please. It won’t take long.” His dark gaze is pleading. Then, “You owe me this, at least.”

His words are worse than a physical blow, mostly because he’s right. I infiltrated myself into his life, in his bed, and got out once he developed feelings. Yes, I’d asked him not to fall for me, but I’d still taken the risk by letting myself get close to him. And then, to make things worse, I called him and told him things I shouldn’t have after I broke things off. I don’t know what part of our story he had in mind when he said I owed him, but whichever it is, he’s right.

That doesn’t mean I’m not terrified. We’re supposed to be going our separate ways. The more time we spend together, and the worse it’ll get when we need to part again.

As if seeing the concern in my eyes, Aaron takes my hand and says, “Please, Wren.”

The way he says my name feels like a prayer.

“All right.” I look down at my sweaty self. “Give me five minutes.”

* * *

The ride in Aaron’s car is silent and tense. I don’t know where he’s taking me, and he hasn’t made a peep. It’s not like I’m worried about being alone with him, but I don’t know what his intentions are, and that’s scary. What if he misinterpreted my call on Friday and thinks I changed my mind? Or what if he’s angry with me and wants to let me know I hurt him more than I’d thought? I don’t know why he would need to take me somewhere to tell me that, but the fact that ever-talking Aaron is silent does nothing to reassure me.

After a twenty-minute ride, Aaron turns the car into the almost-empty parking lot of a…pet store?

Once he’s put the car on park, he gets out of the car, still silent. I follow him outside. Without waiting for me, he walks toward the store, then opens the door and gives me a look, asking me to come in.

I do.