Free Aileen's Song by Marianne Evans Page B

door...soundly...drawing their attention as she acted out a ruse and pretended she hadn’t heard a word.
    Cole’s face lit with a smile. “Hey, Aileen. Like I was telling Liam, you’re going to do great things. You were wonderful in there.”
    Liam spun from the control deck and nodded. “Yes. As always. You were amazing.”
    The compliment was sincere, she could tell by a look into his eyes and the gentleness of his tone. Didn’t matter. It rolled straight off her. So did Cole’s misbegotten perceptions about Liam’s interest.
    “Thank you.” In a curt way, she ignored Liam. It was time to move away from unrequited hopes and dreams. “Hey, Cole, we all set for lunch?”
    She warmed her tone with expectation, and Cole responded just as hoped, with a ready nod and a warm spark in his eyes. All the while, Aileen wondered: Why couldn’t this be you, Liam? Why?
    Out of position to be seen by Cole, Liam scowled. Let him, Aileen thought. Too bad if he doesn’t approve. I don’t need his protection. I need what I can never have. His love.
    “Let me get my coat from the office. I’ll be right back,” Cole said.
    When he left, Liam rounded on her and took hold of her arm, leading her to a private corner of the control booth. “You might want to be careful.”
    His admonishment prompted Aileen to lift her chin and meet his gaze head-on. “Of?”
    “Of being carried away.”
    Aileen’s blood seared her veins. “And just what might carry me away?”
    “Flattery.”
    He threw the word at her, accusations riding the depths of eyes Aileen had always cherished. How dare he! Meanwhile, Liam didn’t even possess the good grace to flinch.
    “Keep a solid focus and perspective, Aileen. You’re going to need heavy doses of both in times to come.”
    Her jaw dropped. “I see. So. I’m the poor little innocent who needs to be watched over and guarded from her own gullibility.” For affect, Aileen’s tone went sarcastic, and she fluttered her lashes. “Heavens, the scandal! Imagine! Me, partaking in a friendly, public lunch with a man who’d like to spend time with me. You, meanwhile, a man who’s worldly and wise, can most assuredly withstand the charms of an attractive and interested woman during a two-day business trip to the big city, correct?”
    Liam went still and delivered a look full of ice. “Steady on there, Brewer.”
    Aileen was so tired of fighting she couldn’t think straight anymore. In retaliation she shot him a saccharin smile. “Same to you there, Douglas.”
    Cole re-entered the studio, and Aileen joined him, warming her features to brightness in the span of time it took to disengage from Liam’s angry gaze.
    Already wearing his coat, Cole retrieved Aileen’s purse and shawl, settling the pashmina around her shoulders in a courtly way that left her to think only of Liam…and Roxy.
    As always, she rebuked an influx of pain stirred by self-doubt, willingly absorbing Cole’s appreciative gaze. What choice did she have? At least he appreciated her company.
    Aileen had no choice but to move on…and away. So, she steeled her resolve and amped up her smile, wondering if it looked as false as it felt. Evidently not; Liam’s eyes darkened as she linked her arm through Cole’s. “Thanks so much for this. I really do feel like celebrating.” Aileen moved smoothly past, her shoulder brushing Liam’s. Their gazes caught and held. “See you, Liam. Thanks for the great session today.” Her closing salvo, airy and dismissive, left Liam to stare and her heart to break.
     
     
     
     

8
     
    The next morning, Siobhan sailed across the entryway of Aileen’s apartment and into the living room. Aileen was well aware of the way her friend’s eyes went wide, the way her curious gaze began to rove the apartment…and absorb. With barely a word of greeting, Aileen turned her back and stalked into the kitchen where she had been cleaning.
    Siobhan, meanwhile, let out a long, high whistle, obviously