Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

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Aubrey was led out the door by Ethan, his arm still around her shoulders. Her heart felt like a heavy stone had been shoved into it, heavy and constricted, and her steps grew sluggish.

They entered the elevator. Just as the doors were about to close, she quickly slammed her palm against the open–door button and stepped out.

All three in the elevator were stunned.

Ethan frowned.“Bree, what are you doing?”

“You guys go ahead. I have other plans.”

The elevator door was about to close when Ethan stepped forward and pressed the button, holding it open. His handsome face was grim.“What could you possibly be getting involved with? Aubrey, you’re like a moth to a flame, do you know that?”

Ryan and Sierra both understood the implication of his words. After all, Damon and Aubrey had dated for four years, and now they were living together. A rekindling of old flames was only natural.

Aubrey didn’t want to admit it, but she couldn’t deny it. Damon was like an addictive drug. She’d been with him for four years, and the addiction had long since settled in. She’d forced herself to quit him back then, to stay away from the source of the drug. The process had been agonizing, tormenting her to the point of near death. She’d truly believed she was free. Little did she know, this source of addiction was now right in front of her, pulling at her heart and consuming her soul every moment. How could logic ever hope to control it? Even knowing it would eventually destroy her, she would still fall back into addiction, repeatedly craving that love. This was a personal demon, far more terrifying than any drug addiction.

Aubrey offered a nonchalant smile, waving at them.“You two have fun.” With those words, she turned and ran home.

“Aubrey…” Ethan Sterling started to go after her.

Sierra caught his arm.“Don’t bother,” she said.“Just let her go.”

Ethan let out a deep sigh, his hands on his hips.“You have no idea how much pain she was in when she broke up with Damon back then. She cried for months. She’d cry while eating, while sleeping, even while walking. Sometimes she’d call me at three or four in the morning, absolutely sobbing.”

Though her heart ached for Aubrey, Sierra stood firm on her side. “Then let her just be with Damon her whole life. They don’t have to get married.”

“How can that be?”

“If guys can be together, why can’t a man and a woman?” Sierra put one hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes at Ethan with a scrutinizing gaze. “You… you’re not falling for…”

Ethan shot her a look, signaling that Ryan was still nearby.

Ryan, however, seemed oblivious, looking perfectly at ease and not too concerned with other people’s private matters.

Sierra immediately cut herself off. Without finishing her thought, she fell silent.

The elevator doors slid open on the first floor. Ethan stepped out first, striding away as he tossed a remark over his shoulder. “I’ve got things to do, so I won’t play third wheel for you two.”

Ryan grinned widely, waving goodbye to Ethan’s retreating back.“See ya!”

Aubrey got home. Without even bothering to change her shoes, she went straight inside, tossed her purse onto the sofa, and marched toward Damon’s bedroom door. She took a deep breath, reining in her emotions, then knocked.

A moment later, the door opened.

Damon had shed his jacket. He wore a black turtleneck sweater with black pants. He looked impossibly handsome, sophisticated, and a touch unapproachable. His eyes were shadowed, and he gazed silently at Aubrey.

Aubrey’s heart skipped a beat.“Are you still going to the fireworks show?” she whispered.

No,” Damon replied, his voice flat.

“Why?”

“No reason.”

A wave of disappointment washed over Aubrey “So, dinner. Are we eating at home or going out?”

23:41

<. Chapter 41

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Eat wherever you want,” he snapped, his impatience clear as he started to close the door.

Aubrey knew this petulant side of him all too well. Back when they were dating, he wouldn’t even get mad if she broke his favorite model, but if she sc much as got a little too close to another guy, this was exactly how he’d act. Every reply was there, but each word was laced with displeasure.

She quickly stepped forward, wedging herself in the doorway.

Damon stopped closing the door, his brow furrowed as he looked at her.“What are you doing?”

Aubrey looked up at him, her voice soft and low.“Damon, I’m hungry.”

Damon let out a long breath, one hand shoved into his pocket. “Aubrey, I’m your roommate, not your husband. Why are you coming to me when you‘ jungry? You can get Ethan to take you out for a fancy dinner.”

The jealousy rolling off him was so thick it practically filled the entire house,

Aubrey bit her lip, lowering her head to stifle a smile. After a beat, she looked up at him again, murmuring plaintively, “They’ve already left.”

Damon frowned, lifting his gaze to the living room.“You didn’t go with them?”

If you weren’t going, I didn’t want to either,” Aubrey said in a small voice, turning to walk away.“I guess I’ll just make myself some instant ramen.” she’d barely taken two steps when Damon suddenly rushed out, grabbing her arm. She turned back, looking at him.

The man’s gaze was a little evasive, the cool, aloof aura around him slowly dissipating as his tone softened somewhat. “Don’t eat instant ramen.” A knowing smile touched Aubrey’s lips.“So, what are we having?”

Damon’s gaze deepened, burning intensely as he stared at her, his voice tinged with uncertainty.“You really didn’t go out with them because of me?” Aubrey nodded.

Why?”

Because I’d already agreed to see the fireworks with you. Besides, you didn’t seem keen on going with them, and I didn’t want to be a third wheel to Sierra and Ryan.”

You could have paired up with Ethan.”

He doesn’t like me.”

Damon offered a bitter, slight smile.“At least you have some self–awareness.”

Aubrey stepped closer to him, looking up at him, her clear, bright eyes holding a hint of expectation. Her soft voice, like a gentle breeze teasing willows vas light enough to stir his heart.“Damon, I want to go to the fireworks show at the Waterfront. Can I have one of your tickets?”

Damon’s gaze dropped to Aubrey’s lightly made–up face. She was like a delicate bloom, her beauty pure and ethereal. His Adam’s apple bobbed.“It’d be wkward to run into them,” he said, his voice a little hoarse.

Their tickets are for the observation deck. Yours are for the Waterfront. They’re pretty far apart, and with the crowds, it’s not likely we’ll run into nyone.”

Damon chuckled softly and nodded.

Aubrey’s shoulders relaxed when she saw him smile, a weight lifting off her chest.

he held out her palm to Damon.“The tickets?”

Why would I give them to you for free?”

Aubrey frowned, feigning annoyance. “They were free to begin with. You just had to book them online on the official site.”

I still spent time booking them.”

Aubrey sighed, dropping her hand. “Stingy. So, how much do you want for one?”

You buy me dinner.”

Aubrey agreed readily.“Okay, but it can’t be too expensive. A restaurant where it’s less than a hundred per person.”

‘Deal.”

Let’s go.” Aubrey slipped her hand into his larger one and started to walk out.

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< Chapter 41

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Damon froze, his steps faltering as his gaze dropped to their joined hands. Her soft, delicate hand settled perfectly in his, and a jolt of electricity shot straight to his heart.

Aubrey noticed he hadn’t moved and turned back to face him. Her gaze followed his, dropping to their clasped hands. In that instant, her heart hammered against her ribs, and a flush instantly warmed her cheeks. She quickly released Damon’s hand, stammering an apology, “Oh, I’m so sorry, L.. I just did that without thinking…”

Damon cut her off, his voice calm and even. “It’s fine. Just give me a second while I grab a jacket.”

“Okay.”

Aubrey walked over to the sofa, picked up her crossbody bag, and slung it over her shoulder. Once Damon had disappeared into his room, she pressed both hands to her burning cheeks and let out a shaky breath. She wasn’t some naive little girl anymore. Yet, a simple, accidental touch of a man’s hand still sent a blush to her cheeks and a frantic beat to her heart. Perhaps it was the awkwardness of their situation

The fireworks show was scheduled to start at nine and finish by ten, followed by a half–hour drone show.

Earlier that evening, they’d gone to dinner first. Aubrey had insisted on treating, but Damon had still managed to snatch the bill.

Around eight o’clock, they’d scanned their way into the Waterfront.

The wind was fierce along the Waterfront, and the crowd was thick, a bustling, shoulder–to–shoulder crush of people. All the way, Damon kept Aubrey protectively by his side, his large hand resting politely and with careful restraint on her shoulder, ensuring her injuries wouldn’t get bumped.

Arriving at the best viewing spot, Damon pulled two masks from his pocket and handed one to her.

Aubrey looked at him, confused.“Masks?”

“Fireworks are beautiful, but we’re too close. The smoke drifting over is really choking.”

How could she not have thought of that? Leave it to Damon to be so thoughtful.

“Oh.” Aubrey took it, tore open the packaging, and slipped the mask on.”

Damon took the plastic bag from her, tucking it into his pocket.“Hey, want to get a picture with the fireworks later?”

“I’m good.”

Damon fell silent, gazing at the night scene by the Waterfront. The lights on the opposite bank shimmered, and the boats on the water, bright and dazzling, glided across the dark surface like stars in a galaxy. As more and more people poured in, everyone vied for the best spot to watch the fireworks show.

Aubrey was jostled, pressed against Damon’s arm. Suddenly, Damon clasped her wrist, gently pulling her forward, right in front of him. Aubrey froze, trapped between the stone railing and Damon. Damon stretched out an arm, bracing it against the meter–high stone railing, shielding her from the crush and accidental touches of the crowd.

Aubrey felt their proximity acutely–her back was practically molded against Damon’s chest. If Damon were to lean down even slightly, his lips would brush her hair. She could even feel the warmth radiating from Damon, a subtle heat carrying the faint, distinctive scent of pine that was uniquely his. It made her body tense, her heartbeat quickening to an alarming pace.

“Excuse me, coming through!”

A stranger’s urgent voice cut through the air. No sooner had he spoken than Damon was shoved forward by the man. Damon was jolted, his upper body pitching forward, pressing towards Aubrey. Fearing he might hit the injury on her back, he quickly braced his hands against the stone railing. His head, however, had no support and dipped down abruptly. His warm cheek and ear brushed lightly against Aubrey’s face. In the intimate contact, Aubrey instinctively flinched, pulling her head back.

Both of them froze.

Damon’s breath hitched, his voice low and raspy,“Did I hit your injury?”

Aubrey shook her head stiffly, “No.”

Damon made no move to straighten up, remaining exactly as he was. His hands braced against the stone railing, effectively pinning her within his embrace. His head dipped beside her cheek, their faces so close they were practically touching. He murmured, “Are you cold?”

“No.”

“Your face feels a little cool,”

“It’s your body heat,” she murmured, her voice tinged with shyness.

23:41

< Chapter 41

Damon was pressed too close, her cheeks flushed, and her breath hitched in her throat.

Just then, a deafening boom ripped through the sky.

BOOM!

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The entire night sky, previously shrouded in darkness, exploded with light. A collective gasp of ‘Wow!‘ rippled through the crowd. Aubrey and Damon looked up simultaneously, Vibrant, multicolored fireworks burst open in the sky. The sky filled with a glorious display, like a waterfall of shimmering starlight, as breathtakingly beautiful and ephemeral as a night–blooming cereus blooming in the vastness of the cosmos. They sloomed for a few fleeting seconds, then cascaded back into darkness. Then, one brilliant burst followed another, relentlessly illuminating the night ky. Gasps and cries of awe rippled through the crowd, a never–ending chorus of wonder.

t was so beautiful, Aubrey found herself utterly captivated.

Then, Damon’s low murmur reached her ear:“Don’t you love taking pictures?”

Right. Something this beautiful absolutely had to be captured. Otherwise, it was like she hadn’t even been here.

Aubrey quickly pulled out her phone, snapping one stunning photo after another of the sky, and recording a series of breathtaking videos. Damon pulled out his own phone, turning to hand it to a girl standing behind them.“Would you mind taking a picture for us?” he asked softly. The girl smiled, taking the phone.“Sure. You want a picture with her, with the fireworks in the background, right?”

Damon nodded. “Yes, please. Thank you so much.”

With his phone now in the girl’s hands, he stepped to stand beside Aubrey, gently lowering her raised hand.“Hold off on the pictures for a second,” he whispered, “just watch the fireworks.”

Aubrey didn’t object. She lowered her hands and tilted her head back, watching the fireworks with him.

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