Read Independent Jenny for Free Online

and stop being so intense.”
    “I guess so,” I said, taking a deep breath as instructed.
    “Secondly, if things don’t work out with you and Ross then Aiden’s bound to be interested in you. He’s always liked you. I’ve noticed the way he looks at you before.”
    “Why didn’t I notice?”
    “Too busy being in love with Ross, perhaps.”
    My head was spinning.
    “Look, Aiden’s your friend, right?”
    “Yes.”
    “You need all the friends you can get. So be friends and don’t do anything stupid.”
    I nodded my head and watched him head back to the counter. I picked a table by the window and watched Aiden appear at the end of the street and walk towards us. He looked nervous, which bought back the panic.
    Easy for Shane to say all that, but how could I just not fancy someone? I hadn’t had this new, fresh feeling about someone for so long and I liked the rush.
    As Aiden entered the coffee shop, he smiled and sat opposite me. We made small talk about our mornings and the menu. I advised him to try the grilled turkey and avocado wrap – advice he took – and after we’d placed our order, he looked at me seriously and said:
    “Look, I know Ross is my brother but you’re my sister and my friend, so whatever you want to say to me is in complete confidence. Okay? But no pressure to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
    “Thanks, Aiden, that’s really nice of you.”
    I took a deep breath and felt calmer. This was fine. Normal, friendly convo. He was like a brother to me, for goodness’ sake. No silly crushing going on here.
    “So, how are you doing?”
    “I’m getting by. I think I was in shock for the first day or so, now I’m just trying to get my head around the whole thing.”
    “What’re you going to do? Do you know?”
    “I have no idea,” I confessed. Maybe I should divorce your brother and marry you? I added silently.
    “I know he’s my brother, but you deserve better.”
    Did he mean he would be better? Because I had no doubt at that moment that he would.
    “I don’t know … I don’t know how I feel about him, or anything right now to be honest.”
    Aiden nodded. Was it me, or did he seem nervous? He was playing with a packet of sugar.
    “Well, whatever you do, I hope you and I will always be friends.”
    I reached out and put my hand on his to stop it from jittering the sugar.
    “Always, Aiden.”
    He looked at me and our eyes locked. Again. We just looked at each other for a moment and then the waitress came and Aiden pulled his hand away abruptly.
    “This looks nice,” I said, smiling brightly as if nothing was going on.
    “Jenny, I’m sorry.”
    “Sorry for what?” I said brightly, taking a bite of my sandwich.
    “Are you going to pretend this isn’t happening?”
    I gulped and put my sandwich down.
    “I’m so confused, Aiden.”
    “I know.”
    “I don’t know where all this has come from,” I said, gesturing between us then wondering for a horrified moment if we were on the same page. But, to my relief, he nodded. We looked at each other and I really, really wanted him to kiss me. Then I thought of Ross and shuddered.
    I glanced over towards Shane behind the counter, wondering if he was watching us, but he was too busy serving customers. I looked back at Aiden, and he smiled at me.
    I smiled back.
    “Eat your lunch,” he said, picking up his own. We ate in silence for a while, looking at each other, I could feel my face blushing, my heart racing. It was like we were in our own little bubble and I didn’t want it to burst.
    “You’re right, that was delicious.”
    “Told you so.”
    I finished my final mouthful and smiled at him.
    “You okay?”
    “Yes. Confused. But okay.” I felt myself blush again.
    “You’re just confused because you know the way I feel about you and you’re comparing me to Ross, which is natural because he’s hurt you and you’re looking for something, or someone to hold on to, to make you feel good maybe. I shouldn’t have