Read The Purple Heart for Free Online Page B

That’s a Gaelic name and it means little
fire.”
    “ Gina, how the hell do you
know that?”
    “ She’s been in the baby
name books again. It’s nonstop lately.”
    “ That’s so wonderful. Do we
have a plan yet for who the donating father will be?”
    “ Not yet. We’re still
looking. It’s a really hard decision,” Gina replied.
    “ Please don’t get her
started.”
    “ It’s fine. I won’t get all
teary anymore. I’m just looking for the right guy. Speaking of
which, let’s get back to Aiden and kissing.”
    “ He’s a great kisser and a
complete gentleman. But let’s not get Cheryl all fired up again,
shall we?” But it wasn’t Cheryl I was worried about. All sorts of
scenarios were now running through my head about Aiden.
    We spent the rest of lunch just plain
bullshitting, which was our normal mode of conversation. After we
had finished, I gave them both a hug and peck on the cheek, so I
could head back home as fast as I could … home to Aiden. The
butterflies were already starting. But were they good butterflies
or bad ones? I really had no idea anymore. The realization of what
I had actually done by inviting him to stay with me was hitting
home thanks to Cheryl. I loved her for opening my eyes to
everything I would not normally think about. This, however, was
something I should have considered carefully first.
    I’d have to learn to think before I
blurted various things out to him. He had a way of making our
conversations just flow so easily.
    My drive home was not as pleasant as my
drive out. Why did Cheryl always have to be so leery about
everyone? Instead of being excited about getting back to Aiden, now
I was apprehensive. I was not happy about that feeling at
all.

Chapter Four:
Aiden
    When I pulled into the driveway, I was
amazed at how much he had gotten done. My yard was raked, my rose
bushes trimmed for the winter, and generally, everything was pruned
and preened. My garage door was open and I could tell it had been
straightened out. Wow, he really did wield a mean broom. The floor
was spotless and the shelves completely organized.
    All my concerns during the drive home
seemed to suddenly disappear. He wasn’t up to no good while
I was gone, he was working his ass off.
    I shut the door and headed inside to
find him. He was in my kitchen with a handful of dishes, cleaning
up from lunch.
    “ Hey,” I sort of purred at
him.
    “ Good afternoon, Sydney.
Did you have a nice time?”
    “ Yes, we always have a very
good time when we’re together.”
    I needed to do something to make myself
feel better about the conversation I had over lunch. I needed to
touch him. So I walked right up to him, grabbed his face and kissed
him. He seemed slightly surprised, but didn’t pull away.
    “ All I could think about
was getting home to do that. Is that wrong? Am I going insane?” He
smiled, reached out to wrap his arms around me, and pulled me into
him. He buried his face into my shoulder and hair. The scent of him
was intoxicating for someone who had just spent the last few hours
probably sweating. He smelled sweet. I felt comfortable in his arms
and didn’t want to let him go.
    “ If it’s insane, then I’ll
be in the padded room right next door to yours. I’m relieved to
hear you’re feeling the same way. I thought I was losing it. I was
afraid I might scare you off or intimidate you.”
    If he only knew it was Cheryl who was
scaring me. I almost felt guilty thinking so wrongly about him. How
could I do that? I was so easily swayed and felt like I had somehow
betrayed him. I put my head down because I couldn’t bear to look
him in the eyes.
    He took a step back from me and
caressed my cheek and pulled my face up to meet his
gaze.
    “ Is everything all right?”
His blue eyes burned into mine, and I found myself getting lost in
them, as usual. It seemed like all that existed was he and I at
that moment. I wasn’t even aware of the room we were standing in
anymore. It was almost like