It was a lovely, warm night despite the recent cold weather populating the rain clouds. Bright lightbulbs and stone paths guided many late shoppers through the long market street. Every little tent or store we passed by had a life of its own, decorated with handmade items like bracelets and fabrics, to rugs and plastic toys. Thin trees offered shelter from the gentle breeze carrying the scent of fried food and flowers.
Aiden walked alongside me in his black jeans and white plain shirt. It had taken me about half an hour to convince him that it might be an enjoyable night if he just gave it a chance. After hearing his conversation with Lars, I pretended like I hadn't heard anything when we came back upstairs to his room. He didn't ask about it, and I did not bring it up either. It hadn't seemed to affect him the way I thought it would. There was a chance that he would have tried to push me again, but he hadn't. Whether that was progress or denial, I was not sure.
As I peered through a market stall to glance at the small, chiselled marble statues, my phone rang. I fetched it from my back pocket and answered Will's call. "Hey, Will. We're here. Where are you?"
"Kaylie had trouble picking an outfit, so we're running a little late, but we're almost there. And if Aiden asks, tell him I will run him over with my car if he even thinks about leaving."
I chuckled and hung up, placing my phone back in my pocket.
"Was that William?" Aiden turned his head from a stall showcasing books and looked down at me with big grey eyes.
"Yes. He says they'll be here soon."
Aiden shook his head. "I bet William said something about me, didn't he?"
"Maybe, but it's not so bad here," I said and gestured to the lovely scenery before us. "Look how many things there are to see. So many stalls and interesting things inside them."
"You don't have to keep convincing me, Emma. I'm already here." His lips twitched upward, fighting a smile. "Do you see anything you like?"
"Mm, nothing has caught my eye yet, but I'm sure I'll find something." I smiled and continued to roam the endless street with Aiden beside me. He had always been tall, but tonight he seemed taller. His hair wasn't styled any particular way, and yet, he looked just as handsome as when he did. Every spare minute I wasn't engrossed by an unusual stand, I was looking at him. And every time I did, my heart beat faster against my chest.
Within the next few minutes, Will had announced his arrival. We decided to meet a little ways further from where Aiden and I had been wandering. Passing lights and many people, I spotted Will's full head of hair between the gathering crowd. I noticed his smile first, wide and bright. His eyes were searching the same way mine had been. He tugged at his jacket collar, fixing it when his head turned to look at the light-haired girl beside him. It was as if the world suddenly brightened in his gaze when the woman smiled back.
"Please be nice," I said to Aiden.
"I'm always nice." He shot me an all-too-familiar smile.
"Please?" I insisted.
"Alright," He muttered. "I'll just be myself." I gave him a look that made him grin. "What? I can't be myself?"
"Just be nice!" I smiled. "Come on,"
Aiden and I neared William and the girl I suspected to be Kaylie. When he spotted me, he said a few words I didn't catch and then, "Emma, there you are!"
"Hi, Will." I grinned and turned to the girl next to him. She was beautiful, with her light brown hair styled behind her ears. Her eyes were an interesting mixture between amber and brown, like fall on a cloudy day. Her petite figure was wrapped in a lovely floral dress with black flats.
"This is Kaylie," Will waved at her, placing his hand on her back. "Kaylie, this is Emma, my best friend."
I extended a hand out to formally greet her, but she declined my hand and folded into my arms instead, hugging me tightly with a smile. "It's so nice to meet you, Emma. I've heard so much about you."
I heard Aiden's snicker beside me. Despite being a little surprised by her immediate show of affection, I hugged her back. I couldn't help but take in the sweet scent of lavender in her hair as she pulled back.
More people should greet this way, I thought.
"It's lovely to meet you too, Kaylie."
She took her place beside Will again. Her pearly white teeth appeared when she saw Aiden. "You're Aiden, right?"
When he noticed she intended to hug him too, he held his hands up in front of him and shook his head. "I'm good, thanks."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I hope I didn't make you feel uncomfortable... I have a tendency to hug people." She fiddled with her hands.
"No, please, don't apologize. I think hugs are a great way to greet someone." I reassured her. "He has a thing about hugs." I waved at Aiden dismissively and returned my gaze to William.
"Did you find the place, okay?" Will asked, only looking at me.
"Yes, it was a nice drive over," I answered for the both of us.
"Have you had a chance to look around?" Kaylie asked, looping her arm through Will's.
"A little. The place looks quite charming."
"Should we walk and see what we find?" Will asked. We all nodded, all except for Aiden, who stood quietly.
William and Kaylie went ahead of Aiden and me. They were quickly delving into a conversation when we passed a stall with strange figurines carved from wood. Some were of two ladies dancing, another of a dog chasing a cat, and other animals piled behind them. "They're wonderful," Kaylie said to the man standing behind the small register.
"Thank you," He nodded. "Can I interest you in one? Only ten dollars each."
Will pointed to a small dog sleeping, and Kaylie smiled, picking it up and handing it to the man. Will purchased it and handed it back to her with another smile. It was hard to explain how I felt as I watched them converse and laugh together. It made me happy to see Will enjoying himself as he was, that he had found someone who could make him laugh and who was more than just a friend. I was genuinely happy for him and Kaylie. They made an adorable pair.
"Still wishing you could go home?" I asked Aiden. "Or have you realized you're enjoying yourself?"
"I'm not enjoying a single second of this," He looked down at the stone path. "But you make it a little more bearable."
"I'm going to take that as a yes."
He ignored me with a roll of his eyes before placing his gaze upon mine. "Are you enjoying yourself? Or have you realized this was a terrible idea and you want to go home?"
"Funny," I felt my lips stretch wide with my smile.
"I'm going to take that as a yes." He mocked.
Oh, he was terrible. He was annoying and maddening, but he could always weasel his way into my heart and bring out a smile.
We continued to stroll through the illuminated streets, the distinct scent of food wafting in the air like a calling temptation. "Do you smell that?"
"Smell what?" Aiden narrowed his eyes.
"The food." I inhaled deeply, the smell of pizza and chicken and sandwiches making me infinitely hungrier.
"Are you hungry?" His smile wavered on the edge of his lips.
"Starving," I answered, trying to look over the many heads of strangers drifting toward the aroma as well. "Hey, Will. Do you think we can stop and get something to eat?"
Will looked at me over his shoulder. "Kaylie was just saying the same thing. I think there are a group of food stalls up ahead."
We followed William and Kaylie until we entered a part of the street where the majority of the people stood around. Many had sandwiches in their hands stuffed with roasted chicken and delicious vegetables. Others shared a pizza between their friends, taking the large, hungry bites of starved animals. At that moment, I could relate.
When we reached the carts of fried foods and meat sizzling on stoves, Will asked us what we would like to eat. Whether we would like to share a pizza or order different foods. "I don't mind sharing a pizza."
"Emma? What about you?" Kaylie asked.
"Uh, I don't know. I don't mind sharing a pizza either." I looked up at Aiden, who seemed to be contemplating the decision. "What do you feel like eating?"
"I'll get whatever you get." He replied.
"Pizza, then?" Will raised his brows expectantly at Aiden.
"Why don't you two get a pizza and Aiden, and we'll order something ourselves?" I countered. They seemed to agree just fine. I pulled Aiden toward that sandwich cart I had been eyeing since we arrived at the food area.
"You like sandwiches, right?" I inquired, looking at the food truck's menu plastered on its side.
"I do,"
"Great! What do you want in it?"
"The same as you."
"But what if you don't like what I put inside my sandwich, and you don't end up eating it?"
"Then we can take it home and you can eat it for lunch tomorrow." He shrugged.
"As considerate as that is, you need to eat something too." I got in line with Aiden and waited for the man inside the truck to get to us. "Do you like anchovies?"
"No."
"Tomatoes?"
"Who doesn't like tomatoes?"
"Many people don't like tomatoes," I informed him. "Okay, what about meat? What kind do you like on a sandwich?"
"Any."
"Any in specific?"
"No."
I sighed. "Oh, you are difficult."
"I like meat. What is difficult about that?" Aiden started.
"There are many kinds of meat. Have you ever had alligator? Kangaroo? Rabbit?"
"I doubt they're serving alligator or kangaroo in their sandwiches, Emma." He laughed softly. He might have had a point.
"Alright, I'll just order for you. Is that okay?"
"Be my guest." He gestured to the man who had called on us next, asking for our order. "But I get to order for you too."
I gave the man Aiden's order first. I thought for a moment before I said: "A toasted sandwich with tomato, lettuce, cheese, beef and sweet chilli sauce, please." As I said the order, the man prepared it with fast hands. When he placed my sandwich in the toaster, he asked for Aiden's.
"A toasted sandwich with tomatoes, chicken, cucumber, cheese, mayonnaise, and grated carrots." The man followed his past routine and prepared the sandwich. In a few minutes, the man handed us our order and asked for drinks. He relayed us the options. Aiden picked out drinks. He gave me my large cup of lemonade and while he sipped out of his Pepsi filled one. He paid the man and happily tipped him.
"Well? Go on, try it." I urged him, wondering if he would like what I picked out for him.
He unwrapped his sandwich and eyed it carefully. "I'm going to take the sweet chilli as a personal and yet subtle insult."
He was right, of course, but I did not tell him that.
I watched him take a large bite from the thing, then watched him chew expressionless and swallow. I sipped my lemonade with interest.
"Do you like it?" I chewed on the straw of my cup.
"No, but it's sweet you tried." He smiled and wrapped the sandwich back up. It disappointed me that I couldn't order something he liked. "Don't be upset, sweetheart. I don't like sandwiches, anyway."
I gasped. "You liar! You said you liked sandwiches!"
He grinned with those glorious dimples. "I only lied because I know how much you like sandwiches."
"I've never told you I like sandwiches," I argued.
"Maybe not, but I asked William and he said you did."
I didn't know whether to be more surprised he didn't like sandwiches or that he asked Will if I did.
"Give yours a try." He pointed at the sandwich in my hand.
I unwrapped my sandwich the same way and took the biggest bite I could manage. The swirling flavours of sweetness and salt overwhelmed my taste buds as I chewed. I almost moaned when I took another savoury and delicious bite.
I cleared my throat. "It's fine. Nothing special."
"Really? That sound you made would suggest otherwise." He laughed.
"Just because it's the most delicious sandwich I've ever had, doesn't prove anything." I lifted a finger at him, taking another bite.
"I definitely won the sandwich competition." He declared proudly.
"It was not a competition," I said and watched him step closer with a grin. "and If I knew it was, I would have tried harder."
"Oh, you weren't trying?" He arched a brow, taking yet another step toward me until we were only a breath away. "I think you're lying. And since I won, I would like my prize."
"Prize? What prize?" I could barely look at the sandwich in my hands with him so close. "I wasn't aware there was a prize. And you should be disqualified for lying."
He shook his head, and his lips brushed with mine, his smile ever so present. "Don't be a sore loser, sweetheart. I still want my prize."
I could barely hold onto my frown as my smile fought to rise. "And what prize is that?"
His lips brushed with mine once more as his eyes stayed focus on mine. They were full of amusement and light, full of something more.
"You," he said and kissed me.
I smiled into his mouth. His tongue tasted sweet and spicy with the lingering flavours of the chilli sauce. The heat spread throughout my body like a wave, a shiver, a heartbeat. It reached every last nerve and filled each sound. He pushed the kiss deeper, sweeping my bottom lip with his.
Had my hands been free and not holding food and drinks, they would have been in his hair, pulling and tugging him closer.
"Get a room," Will exclaimed from behind.
I quickly pulled away from Aiden, breaking our kiss. I found both Will and Kaylie staring at us with smiles of amusement and surprise.
"When I said we should eat food, I did not mean each other." Will grimaced.
"If you don't want to see us kiss, then don't look, William. You'd be surprised how easy it is when you try it." I elbowed Aiden in the side, but he did not seem to mind.
Before Will could retaliate, Kaylie spoke. "Emma, do you mind walking with me?"
"Sure," I nodded and followed, falling in step with her. We walked together for a while, pointing out the nice things we saw in certain stalls or laughing about something the other said. Conversation flowed easily with her, almost effortless. I had only ever connected with Will so quickly. But Kaylie was different. We talked about many other things. Things that Will and I wouldn't normally converse about, let alone for such a long while like we had been. She was kind and sweet, always complimenting and noticing the most minor of details. I could see why Will liked her. There was something comforting about talking to her.
"A Camaro is better than a Mustang," Will raised his voice. Kaylie and I both turned to see what was happening. Initially, my first thought was that they were about to tear each other's throats out, but as I looked, I only saw how calm Aiden was as he walked beside Will.
"A Mustang has a more powerful base engine, William. A Camaro falls short. Anyone who knows anything about cars can see that."
They bickered about that like old friends, and I found myself smiling as I turned back around. They were – to some degree – getting along.
Kaylie looped her arm through mine like she'd done with Will earlier. "You and Aiden make quite the couple," Kaylie smirked at me. My cheeks heated. "Oh, don't be embarrassed. I think it's sweet. How long have you been together?"
"About two months now." I supposed. "We've known each other for about four."
Kalie smiled, her eyes wrinkling at the edges. "Weird that he doesn't hug, though. Who doesn't like hugs?"
I giggled. "That's exactly what I told him."
"Wait," She stopped us. The guys were a little far behind. "He doesn't hug you either?"
"No, he has something against hugs. It was one of his conditions." I shrugged. I hadn't meant to tell her that. Our dating conditions were only known by us.
"Conditions?" She questioned. "What do you mean?"
If there was any way I could avoid the question, I didn't find it. I finished off the sandwich Aiden ordered me and answered. "When we first met, our relationship was... It was rough. There was a lot of back and forth, so we set conditions when we finally got together. He has three, and I have one."
"What is yours?" She asked.
"No lying or half-truths." I crossed my arms against my chest. I knew she was too polite to ask about Aiden's. Since we were already talking about it, I continued, "Aiden's three are different. His first one is no music. Though, that changed over time, so it doesn't really count as a condition anymore. His second is no holding hands, and his third is no hugs."
Kylie listened along. "Why does he have those conditions?"
I opened my mouth to answer her question, but nothing came out. I simply did not know the answer. I had never thought about asking him.
"I... don't really know."
Kaylie puckered her lips. "Maybe you should ask him?"
"Yeah, maybe." I tilted my head, about to ask about her relationship with Will, when she dropped her arm from mine and called out for Will.
"Why don't you ask him now? He's alone." She gestured to Aiden with her eyebrows as Will took her hand. I gave her a shake of my head and waited for Aiden to catch up with me while Will and Kaylie went ahead of us.
"Hello, again." Aiden brushed his hair back with his hand. I fell in step with him. His pace was slower than usual like he was genuinely trying to soak up the place surrounding him.
"Having fun yet?"
"I haven't decided yet." His hands dug into his pockets.
I picked at my thumbs, wondering how I was going to even ask Kaylie's question. Should I even ask? Would he be upset if I did? Should I forget about the whole thing and leave it alone?
"Emma? Are you alright?" His deep voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, I was just thinking." I shook my head as if it would somehow erase the question.
"What were you thinking about?"
"Us," I said honestly. "our conditions."
"What about them?" His tone lowered curiously.
"I was wondering why you chose those specifically. I understood the music one, but now you listen to music...."
"So now you're wondering about the other two." He finished my thought.
"Yes."
He seemed to think about it as if there were so many ways to answer, and he couldn't form the words to say it. Finally, he said, "I guess I'm scared I'll hurt you."