CLIO
He can’t find someone else because he’s mine. The intrusive thought reared its ugly head, and once again, I told myself that was nonsense. Before I could go down the mental rabbit hole of all the different scenarios I’d played out in my head of how Aidan and I would end up, the doorbell rang.
“That’s probably her,” Sydney said, excited.
I looked down at my ratty, paint splattered clothes. “Hopefully, she doesn’t judge harshly.”
Sydney waved her hand. “Oh, she won’t care about that. Would you mind getting the door though, my hands are covered in paint,” she asked as she headed for the kitchen to clean up.
I wiped my hands on my shorts, leaving paint smears, before walking over to open the front door. Surprise struck me as I saw Lila standing on the doorstep. “Hey,” she said tentatively. “I’m here about a room for rent?” She smiled tentatively at me.
“Really? I mean, are you sure?” My fingers clung to the door frame for dear life. I remembered myself and moved aside so she could come in.
Lila nodded as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “I forgive you, Clio, and not just because I really miss my friend, but because I can see that there really was something between you and my dad. Once I calmed down, I realized how much you’d done over the years to try and protect me, ironically just like my dad. And I got to thinking that you must have really been head over heels to do what you did. As much as that hurt my feelings, I’ve been waiting for a long time for my dad to have that kind of love…and why not you? Even if it is a little gross for me.” She finished her speech with a little disgusted shiver, then laughed.
I threw my arms around her in a hug that almost knocked her down. “Oh, Lila, I am so relieved. And I really am sorry for hurting you. I promise to do whatever I can to make it up to you.”
She pulled back, smiling at me like she used to before everything happened. “Well, now, there is one thing you can do to make it up to me.”
“Whatever it is, I will gladly do it,” I promised, excited to get the chance and wanting to pinch myself. I’d truly thought our friendship was over, and this second chance was an unexpected miracle.
She had that familiar mischievous glint in her eyes as she opened the door and popped her head out quickly and said something I couldn’t hear before popping back in. “I really need you to do something with this sad sack. He is driving me crazy with all of his moping around and ‘missing Clio,'” she said, moving to the side and revealing Aidan in the doorway. He had a bouquet of wildflowers clutched in his hand, and he looked nervous but also relieved. I understood the feeling-it was relieving to lay eyes on him after all this time.
Tears clogged my throat. I didn’t know what to say, yet I had so much I wanted to tell him-big, important proclamations of love and lust and small, silly, little everyday things that I’d found myself wanting to share with him since I’d left Malibu.
“I’m not going to stand in the way of you two. You officially have my blessing, just please refrain from making out in front of me or showing any physical affection towards one another, thank you very much,” Lila announced.
I looked to Aidan, who was looking at me so hopefully. “My Ma always told me that I would know it when I met the one. I knew the instant I met you. You, Clio, you are the one I was waiting to share this life with. So, how about it? Can I be your safe place and your person to have adventures with?”
I could feel my grin spreading across my mouth. I nodded, fighting to get the words out as I launched myself at him. “I love you, Aidan,” I sobbed into his neck as his arms encircled my waist and he lifted me off the ground.
“Oh, that is so amazing. Love triumphs!” Sydney said behind us, clapping her hands. I held tight to Aidan, never wanting to let go.
“Hey, uh, why don’t you show me my new room,” I heard Lila suggest to Sydney behind me.
“Oh, right, yes we should leave these two alone,” Sydney said.
“Damn straight. I do not want to have to gouge my own eyes out. I bless this union, but I do not need to see what I saw before, yuck!” Lila said. I could hear their voices fade away as Sydney led Lila to her new room.
Aidan put me down, wiping away my tears with his thumbs. “I’m sorry, Clio, for everything I’ve put you through,” he said, sincerely looking into my eyes.
I gave him a soft, knowing smile. “I’m not. It got us here, didn’t it?”
He smiled at me, then kissed my lips, “I love you, Clio, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I kissed him again, longer and harder this time. “Then let’s get started.”