Emma grew exasperated at his tone. “Maybe he’s not ready yet. Maybe a love as strong as theirs isn’t so easy to get over as you think,” she countered.

“I guess. But Jesus, he needs to lighten up on the expectations that I should always be at his beck and call.”

Emma threw her hands up in exasperation, unable to hold her temper any longer. “Has he been a good father to you or not?”

“Yeah, of course he has.”

“Then he shouldn’t have to call you to beg you to come by. You should be the one calling him and checking to see how he’s doing. Maybe paying him back for some of the sacrifices he made while you were growing up.”

“I know, it’s just—”

“Trust me when I say this Aidan, he won’t be here forever. I did everything I could for my mother while she was alive, and sometimes guilt still consumes me. I wouldn’t ever want you to be haunted by regrets.”

“Damn, Em, you make me feel like a real ass**le.”

With her anger evaporating, she suddenly felt embarrassed for going off on him. She ducked her head. “I’m sorry. I just know you have a really good heart, that’s all.”

“Then if you believe in me that much, I’ll do better, okay?”

She peeked up at him through her lashes and smiled. “Okay.”

He cleared his throat and motioned across the hall. “You can go change in the bathroom.”

“Thanks. I probably need to wash my face too after my crying tirade. I’m probably a mess.”

“Would you like to take a shower while I fix dinner?”

“Are you insinuating I stink?” she asked, with a grin.

Aidan chuckled. “No, I just thought it might make you feel better. If you want, you can soak in the Jacuzzi tub.”

Emma closed her eyes and sighed. “That would be fabulous.”

“Come on then.”

She followed him into the bedroom. With its light blue walls and white trim, it had an airy, cozy feel. She fought the urge to giggle at what she had imagined of his bedroom—silk sheets, a mirror over the bed, and black or red walls.

It was quite the opposite. An enormous four-poster bed sat in the middle of the room. The only thing that stood out to her was how neat and organized everything was. “You must pay a fortune to your cleaning lady,” she mused.

“I don’t have one.”

“You do all this yourself?”

Yeah, I like cleaning.”

After peeking in the bathroom, Emma mused, “Looks like you’re kind of a neat freak, huh?”

“I might be just a little anal retentive about everything being in order.”

“Hmm.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” he asked, sweeping his hands to his hips.

“Nothing.”

“Let me guess. You took a few psych courses in college, and the experts say that most often obsessively clean people are trying to put order into a life of emotional chaos?”

“I didn’t say that.”

He snorted. “You didn’t have to, Dr. Phil. Now if you’re through analyzing me, I’ll let you go and take your bath.”

“I appreciate it.”

After she closed the door behind Aidan, she turned on the water. Slipping out of her clothes, she tried stripping herself of the day’s stress. Once the tub filled up, she turned on the jets. She eased down into the bubbling water and sighed with contentment. She had just laid her head back when the door burst open.

With a shriek, she rushed to cover her br**sts with her hands. Aidan chuckled. “Jesus, Em, there’s no need to panic. I’ve seen everything you’ve got, remember?”

Warmth rushed to her cheeks. “I know. You surprised me, that’s all.”

He held up her purse. “You left this in the kitchen, and I thought you might need it.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

Aidan sat the purse on the vanity. “Okay, I’m really going this time, and I promise to leave you in peace.”

Emma giggled and then eased back into the tub after he closed the door. She probably could have stayed in for hours, but when her fingers started pruning and wonderful aromas started wafting back to her, she figured it was time to get out.

After drying off, she pulled on Aidan’s clothes and swept her hair back into a ponytail. When she grabbed her purse, her phone buzzed. She had missed a text from Casey. Haven’t seen you since lunch. Hope you’re okay.

Emma fought the desperate sobs that threatened to overtake her. With trembling fingers, she texted Casey. Got my period. I’m at Aidan’s. Call u tomorrow.

It only took a second for Casey to reply. So, so sorry, babe. I’m here for you. Love ya.

Emma couldn’t help feeling surprised at Casey’s reaction. She had expected her to demand to know what the hell she was doing at Aidan’s rather than throwing back margaritas with her. At the very least, Emma thought she would have discouraged her for spending any time with Aidan that didn’t involve baby-making.

With a sigh, she stuffed her phone back in her purse and then started out of the bedroom.

CHAPTER TWELVE

When she got to the living room, she could hear Aidan humming along with the kitchen radio. She peeked around the corner and watched in amazement as he cooked. How was it possible that this Aidan could be the same cocky, self-absorbed womanizer who sometimes drove her crazy? It was like he was two people inhabiting the same body.

Aidan caught her staring, and she smiled shyly at him as she padded barefoot into the kitchen. She inhaled deeply. “Something smells wonderful.”

A pleased expression grew on his face. “I decided on the scampi. I thought we could eat out on the patio if that’s okay?”

She nodded. “Sounds great.”

He opened the back door, and she stepped outside. Beau came galloping up to her. “Down boy! Don’t even think about it!” Aidan shouted.

Beau reluctantly nudged Emma’s legs. “Good boy,” she replied, rewarding him with a scratch behind the ears. As she gazed around the immaculately kept patio and backyard, her eyes widened at the sight of an in-ground pool. “This is all so beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

He held out a chair for her, and she eased up to the table. He already had it set it for them complete with linen napkins. A glance at her full plate of scampi sent her stomach growling. When Aidan sat down, she smiled at him. “I can’t thank you enough for the bath and the clothes. I feel like a new person.”