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“So, I think it will be most efficient and most effective if we—”

“Hold that thought, Dad,” I tell him

I setdoors This part of the venue is only dimly lit by the lanterns overhead, theto pull Aida into the darkest and most distant corner, hidden behind a screen of potted Japanese maples

I intended to interrupt theent voice pleading with Aida My curiosity is piqued I creep up at an angle, wanting to hear what they’re talking about

“I know you miss me, Aida I know you think about me, just like I think about you”

“I really don’t,” she says

“We had good tiht we all built that bonfire on the beach, and you and I walked out on the dunes, and you had that white bikini on, and I took the top off with my teeth”

I’ around in uts I want to interrupt them, but I also have this sick curiosity I want to know exactly ent on between Oliver and Aida He was obviously infatuated with her But did she feel the same? Did she love him?

“Sure, I reot drunk and crashed your car on Cerht with Joshua Dean Good tiht”

“That was your fault,” Oliver growls, trying to pin her against the deck railing “You drive me out of my mind, Aida You make me crazy I only did all that shit after you left me at the Oriole”

“Yeah?” she says, looking down at the city streets below the patio “Do you reh?”

Oliver hesitates I can tell he does remember, but he doesn’t want to say it

“We bumped into your uncle And he asked who I was And you said, ‘Just a friend’ Because you liked being a rebel, dating Enzo Gallo’s daughter But you didn’t want to risk your trust fund or your spot at Daddy’s company You didn’t have the balls to admit what you actually wanted”

“I made a mistake”

Oliver’s voice is low and urgent, and I can see he keeps trying to take Aida’s hand, but she moves it out of his reach