Finding Me (Love's Not Easy Series Book 1) by Nicole Rickman

Aiden.”
    “Whatever. Aiden, call me when she is not around.” The phone went dead.
    Aiden went through the drive thru of the coffee shop before getting back on the road. Aimee just looked down at her feet or out her window. When they got back to the flat, Aimee went to get out of the car; but, Aiden took her arm.
    “Wait.” He shut off the car and went around to her door. “Let’s walk down toward the beach for a minute.” Aimee slipped her shoes off when they reached the sand.
    “Aiden, I am sorry about tonight. I don’t want to cause trouble with you and Ava.”
    “Trust me when I say, you are not causing problems. She is just using you as her reason to start a fight.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Ava likes the status that comes with dating me. At least, that is how I am starting to see it. She is all about being in the public eye. And I get her there.”
    “That’s not right. She should not treat you like that.”
    “I know; that is why she is so mad about the photo.  If someone sees me with you then, they will think we are over and she has lost her status.”
    “And you’re ok with her treating you this way?”
    “No. I am just figuring this out. Ava and I have a lot of things we need to work on. My friendship with you is the farthest thing from my and Ava’s relationship problems.”
    “Ok. If you need to talk, I am here to listen.”
    “You mentioned, in the car, that you had two things on your mind. What was your other thought?”
    “The other question we heard a lot of tonight was everyone asking why I had decided to study in Neahovia. That seems weird to me.”
    “Yeah. I thought it was weird too. I don’t know why everyone kept asking you that, but I’ll find out for you.”
    “Thanks. You have a phone call to make. I am going back to the flat and order us a pizza.”
    “I’ll walk you back.”
    Aimee walked into the living area alone. Colin laughed as she walked in. “We are just ordering pizza.”
    “Great. I am starved and so is Aiden; so, order two?”
    Lexi jumped up from her chair. “What? You just came from dinner.  How can you be hungry?”
    “The food was gross.” Aimee headed up the stairs.
    “I heard you spit your appetizer into your napkin.” Colin was waving the phone.
    “I was wondering why you started laughing when I walked in. Who told, Aiden or LJ?”
    “LJ.”
    “Order the pizza, Colin.” Aimee headed up the stairs with Lexi and Sophia right behind her. When she opened the door, Piper finished her phone call.
    Aimee went to her dresser and took out a pair of pink lounge pants and a T-shirt to match. “Help me out of this dress.” Lexi was right behind her.
    As soon as Lexi undid the back hooks, Aimee went to change her clothes.  When she came out, all three girls were sitting on her bed.
    “Did you seriously spit your appetizer in a napkin?” Piper sat grinning.
    “In my defense, it was the grossest thing I have ever stuck in my mouth.”
    “That is such a slap in the chef’s face.” Sophia shook her head in disappointment.
    “Sophia, it was pickled beets and goat cheese.”
    “Ok, that’s nasty.” All three girls said.
    “The poor chef. Sheridan said he was new and they had argued all night. The chicken was too spicy the vegetables bland. The only food that was any good was the soup and strawberry dessert.”
    Aimee sat down and Lexi began unpinning her hair; while, she removed her make up.
    “So, you met LJ?” Lexi started putting the pins into their container.
    “Yes.”
    “How did that go?”
    “Ok. Why?”
    “He can be a bit overbearing.”
    “Yeah, I can see that."
    “So, where is Aiden?”
    Aimee bit her lower lip. “On the phone with Ava.  Trying to do damage control.”
    Piper looked up from her phone. “What damage?”
    “Ok, I told you about the appetizer.” Aimee cleared her throat. “Well, I was afraid to taste anything else; so, when they brought out the soup, I was reluctant to taste it. Aiden tasted his. He said