“I thought you’d already left to return to Boston,” Bailey said, getting up and crossing the room to give him a hug. Jillian watched the interaction and a part of her wished she could do the same.
“I won’t be leaving until tomorrow.”
“Why did you change your plans?” Bailey asked, surprised. “Normally, you’re in a rush to get back.”
Yes, why? Jillian wondered as well and couldn’t wait for his answer.
“Because I wasn’t ready to go back just yet. No big deal.”
“Um,” Bailey said, eyeing her brother suspiciously, “I get the feeling it is a big deal and probably has to do with some woman. I heard you, Adrian and Stern didn’t get in until late last night.”
Jillian turned her gaze away from Bailey and Aidan and took a sip of her orange juice. The spark of anger she suddenly felt couldn’t be jealousy over what Bailey had just said. Had Aidan kissed Jillian senseless, then gone somewhere last night and kissed someone else the same way? Why did the thought of him doing that bother her?
“You ask too many questions, Bay, and stay out my business,” Aidan said. “So, what’s so funny, Jillian?”
Jillian drew in a deep breath before turning back to Aidan. “Nothing.”
Bailey chuckled. “In other words, Aidan, stay out of her business.”
Jillian heard his masculine grunt before he crossed the room to the coffeepot. The kitchen was huge, so why did it suddenly feel so small now that he’d walked in? And why did he have to walk around with such a sexy saunter?
“Well, I hate to run but I promised Megan that I would house-sit for a few hours so I’m headed for Megan’s Meadows. Gemma is decorating the place before leaving for Australia and is sending her crew over to hang new curtains.”
Megan and Gemma were Bailey and Aidan’s sisters, whom Jillian liked tremendously. Megan was a doctor of anesthesiology at one of the local hospitals and Gemma was an interior designer who owned Designs by Gem.
Bailey turned to Jillian. “You’re here until tomorrow, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then maybe Aidan can show you the parts of Westmoreland Country that you missed yesterday.”
Jillian could feel Aidan’s gaze on her. “I wouldn’t want to put him to any trouble.”
“No trouble,” Aidan said, “I don’t have anything else to do today.”
Bailey laughed. “Until it’s time for you to go and hook up with the woman who’s the reason you’re staying around an extra day.”
“Goodbye, Bay,” Aidan said in what Jillian perceived as an annoyed tone.
Bailey glanced over her shoulder at him while departing. “See you later, Aidan. And you better not leave tomorrow before telling me goodbye.” She swept out of the kitchen and Jillian found herself alone with Aidan.
She glanced over at him and saw him leaning back against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand, staring at her.
She drew in a deep breath when Aidan asked, “How soon can we go riding?”