RunningScaredBN by Christy Reece

chance.”
    He liked her, dammit. Liked her self-deprecation. Her sunny disposition. Liked that even though she had once gone through hell, she still believed in goodness. She was everything he wasn’t. Represented everything he couldn’t have.
    Aidan backed away. “Good to see you, Anna.” He nodded. “See you later, Ingram.”
    Turning, he made a beeline for the door. If he didn’t get out of here now, he would break every promise he’d made to himself to stay away from her. People like Anna Bradford did not belong in his darkness.

    Riley watched Aidan stalk out of the room like he had a demon chasing him. Being familiar with running from her own demons, she recognized the act for what it was. She turned back to Anna and eyed her speculatively.  
    “He doesn’t like me.”  
    Anna’s rueful statement caught Riley by surprise. Her friend was usually more perceptive than that. Knowing it would do no good to explain that Aidan’s swift exit had more to do with liking her too much, Riley said instead, “I think having all these people around makes all LCR operatives a little antsy.”
    “But not you?”
    Antsy? Yes, she was definitely that, but not because of too many people. Her disguise was a good one. No one from her past would suspect that the damaged and ravaged young woman they’d known would be at the star-studded wedding of a famous model and a former NFL quarterback. Those people most likely believed she was dead.
    “I don’t figure anyone would ever look for me here.”
    “Especially looking like that.”
    “What’s the saying? Blondes have more fun?”
    “Is it true?” Anna asked.
    “Not yet.”
    Anna’s gaze went to the door where Aidan had made his exit. “Not for me either.” She scrunched her nose. “Maybe I should’ve gone all the way blond instead of just highlights.”
    It wasn’t the first time her friend had indicated she had a thing for Aidan Thorne. There was a large group of LCR women who had a small crush on the Golden Adonis of LCR, as someone had called him. It was, however, the first time Riley realized her friend’s feelings might be more than a simple crush.
    “You think we could go somewhere and talk for a while?”
    Pulling her gaze from the door, Anna brightened. “Let’s go to my room, get these shoes off, and order room service. I’m in the mood for a triple burger, fries, and a chocolate shake.”
    As they headed out the door, the thought of food roiling her stomach, she was reminded of another difference between her and Anna. Riley enjoyed food, but decades of a strict, regimented diet wasn’t something she had been able to overcome.
    Anna believed in living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment. Riley’s moments of joy were few and far between, but at least they now existed.
    Would anything change once she confronted her past, or was she condemned to stay the same, running from her own shadow?
    The uncharacteristic moment of self-pity almost stopped her in her tracks. Where had that come from? Hell, she had conquered more phobias than most psychology books even covered. She had defeated every obstacle that had been thrust upon her. She’d damn well not start feeling sorry for herself now.  
    Okay, yes. She had a big hurdle to get over. A damn big one. But just like all the other hurdles, she could and would put it behind her.
    Chin set determinedly, she followed Anna out of the ballroom. Tonight she would allow herself a rare moment of happiness with one of the dearest people she knew. Tomorrow she would call Noah and tell him her plans. She had a feeling he wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.

    Justin sat at the table, the untouched beer in front of him now warm. The crowd had thinned out, but there were at least a couple of hundred people still here, apparently determined to dance until dawn or drink the bar dry. He had no desire for either. What he wanted and what he was going to do were in direct conflict. His heart told him to find Riley