Her Charming Secret by Sam Ayers

quietly.
    “Why are you sad? I have been noticing you from morning and you’ve been gloomy,” he replied.
    “It’s nothing, Aiden. I’m fine. Thanks for asking,” she said. It wasn’t anything, though. Something was bothering her and Aiden thought about last night when Jo had to leave with Abigail because of Alex’s behavior.
    “Want to join me for dinner tonight?” He asked. She looked at him as if he was speaking in a foreign tongue.
    “Din . . . Dinner? Me?” She stuttered.
    “Yeah! You, obviously!” He raised an eyebrow when she just stared at him and was quite for a while.
    “Okay,” she murmured and looked down.
    “Alright, I’ll pick you up at . . . say, 7PM?” He looked at his wristwatch. He had enough time to go home and freshen up. “Will that be okay?” He asked.
    “7 will be fine!” Jo smiled.
    “7 it is! Text me the address. See you later, Jo,” he said and walked towards his office.
    He checked the files one last time and mailed Alex the details about the meeting they had today. Picking up his suit jacket, Aiden slipped it on and walked towards the door.
    “Bye, Jo,” he waved and walked away.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Today was a long day, Jo sighed. Aiden looked happy when that girl visited him. She was beautiful too. And why did he want to have dinner with her? Wasn’t he busy already? Maybe he invited her just as a friend. Thinking about that, she sighed again.
    When she reached home, she saw Abigail sitting on the couch with lots of files. Wedding planning must be tough, Jo thought.
    “Hey Jo, guess what? I was at the Reids’ place. Their home is stunning. And Mrs. Reid is so kind! I met Adele – she is going to be a very beautiful bride,” she smiled and picked up another file.
    “Oh! Listen, I’m . . . I’m going out later,” Jo said. She hoped that Abigail wouldn’t ask if it was a date.
    “Is it a date, Jo?” she grinned.
    “No, it’s not a date, Abby,” Jo groaned and walked away to her bedroom. She checked her wardrobe and found a decent flannel shirt and jeans. It wasn’t a date or anything, so she didn’t have to wear anything pretty. Well that was what she thought.
    Aiden was waiting outside at 7PM sharp. Right on time! I’m impressed, Jo thought. She walked out to see him texting. This wasn’t his Audi; instead, he was driving a black BMW M3 Convertible. He opened the door for her and she got in.
    “I thought you had an Audi! Not a BMW Convertible!” She exclaimed.
    “Hello, Jo. This isn’t mine, it’s Alex’s,” he grinned.  Alex’s car! Wow!
    “Hi, so where are we going?” Jo asked, putting on the seatbelt.
    “Will French cuisine be fine? Or do you prefer Italian?” He asked politely. Did he make the reservations already?
    “Aiden, look at me!” Jo exclaimed. “I am not dressed up for some fancy restaurant,” she sighed.
    He was quite for a moment, and then he looked at her. “Alright, so you can choose,” he sighed and pulled out his phone to text someone.
    “I know a place . . . It’s not much but they have delicious food,” she said, enthusiastically. She didn’t want him to be upset with her.
    “Alright, tell me where it is and we can go there.” He smiled.
    They reached the restaurant in ten minutes and ordered their food. The waitress was giving him a weird look. Oh no! Jo wished she could just stand in front of him and say,  Back off, he’s mine!
    “Are you worried about Abigail and Alex?” He asked suddenly.
    “Maybe . . . I’m not sure. Abigail didn’t say a word about last night,” she sighed.
    “Well, I apologize for my cousin’s behavior,” Aiden said.  Why was he apologizing? They all knew how Alex was.
    She sighed and continued, “That’s alright, Aiden, please don’t apologize, it’s not your fault.” He just nodded. They ate in silence and when it was time to go, he asked her to take a walk with him.  Now this is weird. He should have some place to go, right?
    They got some coffee first. And when