ON THE second day that they were stranded, the storm had somewhat calmed down and the electricity had returned. The only problem was that sea vessels were still not allowed to sail. That’s what Aiden told her after checking for updates at the lobby of the inn.
Bree was currently reading a book on the couch while Aiden was focused on his phone as he lay on the bed. She couldn’t help but glance at him again. His eyebrows were drawn together and he looked pissed. She turned her attention back to the book in her hands. She was dying to know what made him look like that, but she fought the urge to ask.
“Dammit!” he muttered, and she looked at him again. He caught her staring and she flinched. He sighed and threw his phone onto the bed. “I still can’t contact Audrey. I’m going crazy,” he said. He sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.
She frowned. Questions were forming in her mind again—questions she didn’t want to ask. “Just try again. Maybe you’ll catch her when her phone is on,” she said instead.
He took a breath and then let out a deep sigh. “Audrey and I had a misunderstanding. Didn’t I already mention that?”
Bree closed the book and set it aside. “Yeah, you did. But how serious was your fight that she just left like that? If it was something small, she wouldn’t have thought of turning off her phone so you couldn’t contact her.” And there goes her mouth. She covered it. She suddenly wanted to smack herself for saying too much. “I-I’m sorry. Just ignore what I said.”
He sighed again. “I just can’t do what she wants.” That was all he said and didn’t explain further. Bree figured that was all the answer she would get, so she didn’t pry anymore.
Yeah, because your girlfriend is a spoiled little rich girl, she thought. Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud. She smiled at him. “Well, whatever you fought about, I’m sure you’ll still be able to fix it.” There was a small twitch in her heart when she said those words, and she had no idea where that came from.
The man sighed again, a small smile playing on his lips. He didn’t say anything more. She looked away from him and picked up her book again to continue reading. While reading, she could clearly feel his eyes on her. She thought about ignoring it, but it made her uneasy and she couldn’t understand what she was reading. She subtly glanced at him and noticed that his attention was on the book she was holding.
“Are you a fan of that author?” Aiden asked, a hint of interest on his face.
A smile appeared on her lips. “Daine Alexis? Of course. You? Do you know this author?”
He smiled. “I’ve read some of his books. Have you read his Blood Brothers Code trilogy?”
Her interest was finally piqued. “Of course! I can’t even wait for the last book, so I decided to buy his other work.” She lifted the book so he could see it. “Have you read Stolen Mist? This is a dystopian novel and it’s really good. Even though I’m not done yet, I’m already hooked. I hope the last book of Blood Brothers Code comes out this year.”
“Yeah, I hope so,” he replied simply.
“I really can’t wait. Gosh, I just hope Chandler doesn’t die. He’s my favorite character. And oh, I want him to end up with Massie. Oh, God. I hope that’s what author Daine decides. Also that Clarissa bitch—I hope she eats lead so there won’t be any traitor left.” Bree suddenly stopped. She bit her lower lip. “Sorry, I tend to babble sometimes. I just don’t know anyone else who reads Blood Brothers Code. I got excited because now I have someone who can relate to me.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s kind of cute actually.” His smile didn’t even falter. In fact, it was the brightest smile she had seen from him yet, and she couldn’t deny the somersaults her heart was doing at the sight of it. “Why don’t you tell me about Stolen Mist? Is it really that good?” Aiden looked delighted and was taking everything in with great interest.
“It is! You should buy one. Or you can borrow mine when I’m done reading.”
“Really?”
“Of course. Just promise me you’ll take good care of my book. My books are like my children. Even the smallest tear feels like my heart is being crushed,” she said with a grin.
He let out a warm, rich laugh, and it touched something inside her.
“Don’t worry, I know how to take care of books. You can count on me, I’ll take care of it,” he said, still smiling. Bree couldn’t help but feel a sense of connection with him. Now that she knew they shared the same interest, she was sure they would get along.