Seven Years of Love Seven Minutes of Truth

Chapter 30

Chapter 19

He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes and his usually perfect hair a mess-like he hadn't slept in

days.

“Aiden? What are you doing in California?” Standing there in his East Coast winter coat, he looked completely out

of place among the palm trees and students in t-shirts.

“Wanted to see your school. See how you're doing out here.” His voice was rough, like he'd been practicing this

moment but still wasn’t ready.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

| kept my tone deliberately light, casual. “It's amazing here! The food scene is incredible - they have these

amazing fusion restaurants downtown. You should definitely check them out while you’re in town.”

He shifted uncomfortably, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “Can’t you... showaround? Just once?

For old times’ sake?”

Before | could figure out how to let him down gently, another voice cut in.

“Sorry, man, but she’s already got plans. You'll have to get in line.” Jake appeared beside me, positioning himself

protectively between us, his easy California confidence a stark contrast to Aiden’s intense energy.

The tension crackled as they sized each other up - Jake with his sun-bleached hair and laid-back vibe, Aiden with

his expensive wool coat and prep school posture. East Coast old money meeting West Coast

new world.

“You cback to campus early for him?” Aiden’s voice had an edge | couldn't quite place. Jealousy? Hurt? After

all these years of him takingfor granted, it was almost funny.

| saw no reason to explain myself anymore. That part of our story was over. “Sorry, Aiden, but we've got

reservations. Let's go, Jake.”

I nudged Jake, who seemed reluctant to move, still locked in sunspoken guy-code standoff. “Con, you

promised to taketo that amazing farm-to-table place in wine country, remember? It’s a long drive, and |

heard their sunset view is incredible.”

Jake finally letpull him away, but not before shooting one last challenging look at Aiden -the kind that clearly

said “she’s moved on.”

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

At the crosswalk, | couldn't help glancing back. Aiden stood alone at the gates, a shadow under the palm trees,

looking more lost than I'd ever seen him. The golden boy who'd always had everything suddenly realizing some

things couldn’t be won back with a charming smile.

For a moment, my heart twisted with an old, familiar ache. Then the light changed, and | stepped

Minutos

17.5%

Chapter 19

forward into my new life, leaving the past where it belonged.