2020, July 20th
(Location Undisclosed)
KEIRA
It was a stupid gesture. The dumbest, most fallible plan, but I didn't care. He wanted me. When was the last time anyone wanted me? Even Ethan left me in the end. Aiden would too. As long as I was with him, I could hold on to him just a little longer.
Maybe no one was watching and I was just paranoid because I hadn't lived like a normal person for years.
Leave Aiden. Let me leave. Ask me to. Stop making me want you.
"We're not dating," I reaffirmed.
AIDEN
I grinned triumphantly, cupped my hands around my neck and kissed me, breaking my no kissing without sex rule. Another little thaw. This one was as miraculous to me as she had been, showing up and claiming me like she did in that restaurant five months ago.
"Sure we're not. Can our not dating selves watch the sunrise together now?"
She took my hand and led me back out onto the balcony. Keira wouldn't let us stay outside a moment past sunrise. For the few minutes that we were outside on that balcony though, she let herself fall back into my arms. Together we basked in the sun's rays and the warmth it offered. Keira allowed herself to forget about Kate just for a little while as she took in the horizon bringing forth the new day with me.
Being Killshot for a decade left her little time for things like watching sunrises. I appreciated that. That was why I brought her out there. To tell her it was okay to breathe, to live, to just be with me.
Three hours later, I reluctantly pulled away from her sleeping body and got out of bed. Despite trying to be careful, she stirred instantly.
"Why are you awake and not hungover like a normal person?" Keira complained, watching me get dressed through half open eyelids.
I went over to her and kissed her forehead.
"Special Aiden Condron gene. I don't get drunk. At least I don't think I ever have. Must suck for the rest of you," I said coyly. "I'll be back, okay? Just going to grab some coffee and—"
"I'll come too," she said, slipping out of bed and getting dressed hurriedly despite her half asleep state.
"It's just a coffee run, Keira and you look like you're about to hurl."
"Walk slowly then. If you're going to be with me, this is how it's going to be from now on," she said, taking my hand in hers. "Attached at the hip, annoyingly always together except to take a shit," she said, batting her eyelashes. "Unless you want to change your mind, of course."
I laughed. This this whole Kate thing was all very real and serious to her. It's not like I wanted to get shot by her crazier than her evil twin. I did know being with her meant having to be extra careful. That was the real reason we kept bouncing around from place to place at a moment's notice.
She really was the wrong woman. I tried it with the right ones though and it didn't work. Something must be wrong with me too because all I could see was the day we were about to have together. Everything else didn't matter.
"I have absolutely no problem with being attached to your perfect hips," I replied, letting my hands travel down her sides before taking her hand back into my arms. "And I'll go as slowly as you want me to Keira."
She really meant what she said. Ten minutes later, we were standing in line, waiting to place our order, her hand firmly clasping mine. Not even the intimacy of her hand in mine could deter her.
"You've successfully escorted me to the front of the line. See? We're up next. I think I can do the rest myself. How about you go and get us a table now?"
KEIRA
My hand tightened in Aiden's, but then I saw a familiar silhouette and instinctively let go.
"Sure," I said calmly, not wanting to alarm Aiden.
No sooner had I walked out of the coffee shop than I bumped into him. He was propped up against the wall, waiting for me.
"Having fun getting some after going without for a million years?" Nathan asked.
"I already Madz—" I began, getting ready to defend my new life.
My kid brother cut me off.
"Yeah, I know. I just thought you might want to know. I'm not tailing you, Keira. I'm tailing your tail. She's here. Isn't it about time you give up the time pass and come home before you get him killed? He's a prince. It's going to be annoying if she blows his brain to bits."
I grabbed Nathan's collar and pulled him towards me, looking him dead in the eye as rage coursed through my veins.
"If you're here to find her, then do your damn job and find her. Don't show up in front of him again."
I let go of Nathan and went back into the coffee shop without another word. I found a table in the back and sat down slowly, waving at Aiden to let him know where I was. He tossed me a smile as he headed my way.
"Caramel Macchiato for the lady with the sweet tooth," said Aiden, setting my drink down in front of me.
The more he smiled at me, the faster my heart raced. I stared down at the drink. He already knew more than I ever planned for him to. Kate was watching us right now. She had known about him for months. Leaving him now wouldn't be safe. If anything, he needed me with him now more than ever.
Didn't he? Should I send him back to Caspira where a castle and The King's Guard could protect him instead?
Aiden took my hand in his as though reading my mind and said, "Drink your coffee, Keira."
I smiled back at him, lifted the cup to my lips and tightened my grip on his hand again. We would have to leave again. Today.
I hope I'm doing the right thing here, Aiden.
***Disclaimer: now switching back to timeline 2.