The Best Friend's Contract novel Chapter 39

Kenna

To say that I regret this decision on going to Dallas with Aidan is an understatement because apparently, I quite like it. We might be spending a week in Texas, enjoying our time as a family with his . . . family but we've been childhood friends.

Being friends for as long as twenty years is worth more. We used to spend so much time together when we were kids, teenagers and even in universities but unfortunately, after both of us had gone to our own paths in our careers, we lost the time to spend.

''There they are,'' Aidan says before pointing at familiar people in a group, making me turn and follow his gaze.

Diana and Mia are standing with smiles on their faces as they both wave towards our direction; gesturing for us to take our steps towards them. Both Aidan and I pull onto our luggage, side to side and heading straight as I take glances down the road.

To my surprise, Diana pulls me in for a hug which causes my eyes to widen in surprise but slowly raise my hands and pat onto her back. It's not a strange gesture but our relationship was quite different before . . . she was my best friend's mother but now she's also my mother-in-law.

If I ever compare my own mother-in-law and the ones in movies, I can't say they don't appear to be the same because she is by one . . . creeps me out, somehow. All of a sudden, I just have to make myself seem more perfect than I was before in order for her to like me; it's a quick feeling that comes naturally.

''We're so glad that you both made it,'' She says as we both break the hug and I slowly smile up at Aidan, who seemed to be looking at us. ''We can spend more time as a family together and you two can even consider this as your honeymoon. It brings back old memories to me whenever I'm here . . . and I hope it can bring you memories in the future, too.''

''Right . . . where's the rest?'' Aidan asks, looking around.

''They're all waiting for you at home,'' Mia replies. ''Ava was mostly excited when she heard that her Uncle Gabby will be spending more time with her this week,'' She adds.

''I can't wait to pinch her chubby cheeks,'' He replies with a soft chuckle as the four of us make our way towards a silver Mercedes-Benz. Just as I'm about to lift my own luggage and put it in the trunk, he has already lifted it up for me; instantly leaving me to eye his face, seeing that it was a natural gesture for him instead of giving me an actual meaning.

His brown eyes meet mine, ''What's in there, anyway? It seems like you're planning to stay here for the whole month instead of a week,'' He says, closing the trunk.

After rolling my eyes, I instantly make my way towards the backseat but to only find Mia and Diana sitting at the back—talking about a few things on social media as Mia scrolls down on her phone, leaving me to sit at the front while Aidan's the one who has to drive.

My eyes wander towards the amount of people walking towards the airport and away to the available cabs, not bothered by the sound of Aidan's voice beside me—probably telling me something important.

All of a sudden, the smell of his cologne hits me as he leans towards me but to only realise that he's currently putting my seat belt on; making me stare down at his brown locks. Then, he leans back, our faces are inches apart as he glances down at my lips. ''Safety first, love.'' He grins, sparing a couple of seconds to glance back at a smiling Diana.

''I could've done it on my own,'' I respond, quietly.

''You could've if you actually paid attention to what I said earlier instead of zoning out,'' He says as he presses onto the gas pedal before driving down the road. ''What has been on your mind lately, Kenna? You've been in deep thoughts since morning,'' He adds, slowly.

''Just about work. Nothing too serious,'' I answer, uncomfortably shifting in my seat; knowing that his mother and sister are at the back probably eavesdropping to our conversation but then again, they're too busy talking about some popular celebrity embarrassing herself in public. ''It's just that . . . it feels different to be away from all the patients,''

''You mean from all the needles and smell of medicines? That has got to be refreshing.'' He chuckles, lightly as I join him—actually agreeing to him, somehow.