The Secret Affair(63)

                “Yes. There were times when I wished I could have.”

                But you couldn’t, she thought. Because of the secret I made you keep.

                “But I did tonight.”

                “Yes, you did fib a little. Twice in fact,” she pointed out.

                He lifted a brow. “When?”

                “When you said I was your significant other.”

                “I didn’t fib. You are. There’s no one more significant in my life than you,” he said softly.

                * * *

                Jillian couldn’t say anything after that. How could she? And when the silence between them lengthened, she wondered if he was expecting her to respond. What could she say? That she believed him? Did she really?

                “And what was the other?” he asked, finally breaking the silence.

                “What other?” she asked him.

                “Fib. You said there were two.”

                “Oh. The one about the amount of time we’ve been together. You said four years and it was three,” she said as they began walking again.

                “No, it was four. Although we spent a year apart it meant nothing to me, other than frustration and anger. Nevertheless, you were still here,” he said, touching his heart. “During every waking moment and in all my dreams.”

                She glanced away from him as they continued walking only to glance back moments later. “That sounds unfair to the others.”

                “What others?”

                “Any woman you dated that year.”

                He stopped walking, took her hand and pulled her to the side, back over to the rail. He frowned down at her. “What are you talking about? I didn’t date any women last year.”

                She searched his face and somehow saw the truth in his words. “But why? I thought you would. Figured you had.”

                “Why?” Before she could respond he went on in a mocking tone, “Ah, that’s right. Because I’m a womanizer.”

                Jillian heard the anger in his voice, but yes, that was the reason she’d thought he’d dated. Wasn’t that the reason she had ended things between them as well, so he would have the freedom to return to his old ways? She drew in a deep breath. “Aidan, I—”

                “No, don’t say it.” He stiffened his chin. “Whatever it is you’re going to say, Jillian, don’t.” He glanced down at his watch and then his gaze moved back to her face. “I know you prefer turning in early, so I’ll see you back to your cabin. I think I’ll hang out a while in one of the bars.”

                She didn’t say anything for a moment. “Want some company?”

                “No,” he said softly. “Not right now.”

                Suddenly, she felt a deep ache in her chest. “Okay. Don’t worry about seeing me to my cabin. You can go on.”

                “You sure?”

                She forced a smile. “Yes, I’m sure. I know the way.”