Taryn sat across from him. “I want to say up front that I’ve spoken to Shelby.”

Everyone looked at her. Aidan had to fight back the need to ask how she was. Did she look okay? Was she sleeping? Was there anything he could do to—

“I’m not going to betray her confidence by telling you what she told me,” she admitted. “However, I am willing to say that a lot of what she’s going through has very little to do with you. I think you should give her some time. More time than you want to, I’m guessing. But she needs to figure this out.”

There was a lot of information in that coded message, he thought. If Shelby was still dealing with her past, then Taryn was right—none of this was about him. Even though it still hurt.

Time. His head said that was the right thing. To give her space, to not pressure her. But his heart, his heart ached for her.

Patience sat next to him. “I’m sorry you’re going through this,” she said with a sigh. “Normally, when we do this, we totally trash the guys. But Shelby is our friend, so I’m not comfortable doing that.” She wrinkled her nose. “Equality between the sexes can be so awkward.”

Felicia sat on his other side. “When Gideon and I were still in an uncommitted dating relationship, I wasn’t sure where I stood with him. He was unable to handle my declaration of love. It completely freaked him out. But he came around. I’m sure Shelby will, as well.”

“You haven’t asked if that’s what I want,” he pointed out.

“We don’t have to,” Madeline told him. “We can see it in your eyes. You love her.” Her gaze narrowed. “You do love her, don’t you?”

“Yeah. With all my heart.”

Most of the women sighed.

Jo walked around, refilling margarita glasses. “We like to think only men are stupid,” she said cheerfully. “But dumb is an equal-opportunity employer.” She patted his shoulder. “I promise, the next time you show up for a girls’ lunch, I won’t say anything.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I know. I’m a giver.”

He managed to laugh. Conversation shifted to how everyone else was doing in their lives or how their significant others had messed up. The stories were meant to encourage him, which he appreciated, but a part of him wanted to point out that they were sharing from a place of having found their one true love. He wasn’t there yet.

For a second he wondered if he should have regrets. Maybe if he’d never gotten involved with Shelby. Only that wasn’t an option. Having known her, having loved her, whatever else happened, he couldn’t be sorry for what he was going through. Everything about her was amazing. He was damned lucky to have gotten as much as he had. He would shut up and be grateful. And maybe have a little faith. In her...in himself and in everything they could be.

* * *

THERE WAS SOMETHING to be said for a complete lack of conversation, Shelby thought as Angel finished dealing the cards. There was companionship, the men sitting around the table and the game itself, but no endless chatter about how everything was going to be fine.

She’d played enough times to understand the basics of the game, so close attention wasn’t required. She could think or not think about what was happening in her life and let the rhythm of the cards serve as a nice distraction. They were in a back room at The Man Cave. Music played through speakers and beyond their private room they could hear noise from the bar.

She knew most of the men at the table, but a couple were a little unfamiliar. Gabriel Boylan was an ER doctor. Shelby had met Noelle, who owned The Christmas Attic, a few times and Gabriel was her husband. Also Felicia’s brother-in-law. He seemed nice enough, but he’d never played cards with them before.