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“Good thing you have me to make your wishes come true.” His lips quirk in a small smile, but it soon disappears, replaced by a worried frown.
“Tell me,” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “It’s you who has something to tell me, but I’m guessing you will when you’re ready.”
To leave or to stay.
He has guessed that I’m thinking about leaving, and with Devlin’s appearance, how can he not be concerned?
“Devlin was here as a friend,” I tell him. “Not as an emissary to lure me to back to L.A.”
Aidan shrugs. “Something will lure you back though, won’t it?” His tone is bitter. “Sooner rather than later.”
I don’t reply. Pain is churning in my chest. I turn my face away from his, finding something on the wall to capture my attention.
A week ago, I’d have said no, without hesitation.
But now?
He’s waiting for me to say something. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then turn back to face him. “Why are you here with me, Aidan? Why are you supporting me?” I hate the words even though I have to say them. “Is it because my father died?”
He pushes off the couch and takes a step away from me, then turns back to glare in my direction. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
I rise from the couch and pick my robe up from where it’s lying on the floor, putting it back on before facing Aidan again.
“I can’t forget the things you said to me just days ago. What changed your mind about me?” I jerk the sides of my robe together and secure the tie. “My loss? I want your love, Aidan, not your compassion or pity.”
He makes a sound that’s not quite a laugh. “I can’t believe you’re making this about me. If you don’t plan to stay, Liz. Own it. Don’t try to tell me you’re leaving the play because I didn’t let you seduce me as soon as you arrived.”
I pull in a breath. “A week ago, you couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me.”
“Right now, I’m returning to that particular state of mind.” He laughs bitterly. “So, you’re leaving?”
I exhale. “I am.”
I watch him freeze. I watch the air around him still and turn icy. He doesn’t say a word, but the coldness in his eyes makes me flinch.
“You never intended to stay.” His voice is hard and condemnatory, like frostbite on my skin. “You want me to believe you came back for your dad and also because of me, but you’re lying, aren’t you?” His eyes rake me. “I was a coincidence, an attractive little entertainment to amuse you while you spent time with your father. All this…” He makes a wide gesture. “It’s all been another one of your selfish games.”
My eyes are tearing. “You know that’s not true.”
He takes a step toward me. “No, Liz. What I know is that you don’t care about anyone but yourself.”
“Don’t act like I didn’t try everything. You kept pushing me away. I gave up. You made me give up on you.”
“So, it’s my fault?” His voice is laced with anger. “You can tell me you never meant to stay. You can tell me I never meant as much to you as you tried to make me believe.” His voice cracks. “Tell me that truth at least.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” His chest rises. “Damn you, Liz. Why couldn’t you just leave me alone?”
My eyes fill with tears, and soon they’re running down my cheeks. “Because I love you.”
“Fuck love. It can burn in hell.” He laughs. “Nothing is enough for you. Not me, not the play. The only thing that matters is you and your ego, and now, after playing the hero daughter to your dad, you can go back to feeding on the adulation that’s everything to you.” He glares at me, his eyes dark and stormy.
Tell me you love me.