His to Love (His #3)

Chapter 22

"So. Brooke Campbell."

I put my hands on the table. "So. Aaron ... wait, what's your last name?" 

Aaron laughs, slightly throwing his head back, exposing his neck. "It's Vega." 

"It suits you. I guess," I say.

Aaron grins and his eyes twinkle in mischief. "I'm happy you approve," he replies, looking me deep in the eyes. 

I narrow my eyes at him, twirling the spoon in the cup of my hot chocolate. "Can I ask you something and be really blunt?" 

Aaron looks at me with interest and shrugs. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Did you come to the store because you were around or you knew I'm working here?" 

Aaron's eyebrow jumps up a bit. "I was, in fact, nearby. But Rory told me you work here so I decided to come say hi." He gives me his charming smile again.

I realise how Aaron is completely opposite of Damien. And I'm really happy about that. Because I don't think I'd be able to hang out with someone that reminds me of ... him. Aaron's looks are completely different than Damien's. Damien was all dark and mysterious, while Aaron is simple with light hair and a warm expression. 

I rest my elbow and the chair rest and support my chin with my hand, pursing my lips. "Hmm. So, about Rory ..." I start.

I see Aaron's expression briefly changes, but it's only for a second before he schools it again, his eyebrow jumping up. "What about Rory?" he asks, his voice disinterested, although his face shows otherwise.

"You like her, don't you?" I purposefully frame the question like that. 

And I got him where I want to. Aaron hangs his head down a bit and I see him smiling. "Are you going to report this conversation to her?" 

I feel my lips slowly turning into a smile, too. "No, everything is staying between us," I tell him. And that's not a lie. I'm not planning to tell Rory anything about this. Whatever Aaron's answer is, I'll not be the one telling her about it. Either he will tell her or she won't know about his feelings.

"I'll tell you something," Aaron says, casually leaning forward in his seat, putting his arms on his thighs now and intertwining his hands on his knees. "It's really hard not to like her." 

His answer stings a bit, even though I expected it and even though it was pretty obvious. All his gestures at the bar, all the looks he gave her ... I can recognise what it looks when someone likes someone. I've had that look about three years ago, too. My god, what a fool I was. 

"That's out on the plain then," I say, taking the hot chocolate in my hand and taking a big spoon of it, savouring that hot taste. 

"You're a bold woman, Brooke. Saying what's on your mind. I like that, too," he says. 

Where have I heard this before? Oh, wait! 

I really need to stop comparing every man to Damien. They won't come to his knees - in looks, in attitude and in anything else. Even in the idiocy. There's no one like him in this world and the sooner I can accept it, the faster I'll be finally able to move on. 

"Oh, really?" I ask, interested. It's not the same as just liking me, but at least it's something he likes about me. That's a good start I'd say. "Is there anything else you like other than my smart mouth?" I'm shamelessly fishing for compliments. 

And by the way Aaron throws his head back and laughs that pristine laugh, I know he knows it. "Do you want me to give you compliments?" Aaron shakes his head to himself. "I didn't predict this will go this way."