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CHAPTER ONE

“ABOUT LAST NIGHT”

The words were softly spoken Alh to ainst the table Or the wall He was pretty sure the table was closer Not that he was going to pick either because he honestly didn’t need any over he’d more than earned

“I have nothing,” he adht light of Brew-haha, the local coffee place Because when a man felt as bad as he did, coffee was the only solution “No excuse, no explanation”

He wanted to say more That it hadn’t been his fault Only it had been

Aidan wanted to point out that he was usually a decent guy He loved his mom, paid his taxes and ran a successful business, yet so the way, he’d become a total jerk But why state the obvious?

The wo next to his table pointed to the empty seat across from his “May I?”

He nodded, then wished he hadn’t when more pain exploded across his eyes He reminded himself it was a small price to pay for what had happened

He pushed aside the steady thudding in his temple and did his best to focus on his new tablemate Shelby Gilht Pretty enough to get a breathing ured out No local wootten him

Her gaze was steady as she sipped her coffee She see out If it was about him, he should save her the trouble

“Yes,” he said, aware his voice was gravelly No doubt yet another h his syste to be a memo about it in the paper”

Her mouth curved up “The paper’s already out and I didn’t see anything Of course, I generally avoid the whole ‘ass’ section It can be depressing”