Chapter 425
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With just a door between them , Aria and Owen could hear Derek’s voice loud and clear .
They were neighbors , even friends , so Owen being at Aria’s place wasn’t suspicious .
The real problem ? Owen’s lip was bitten by her .
Two adults , alone , behind closed doors – anyone with eyes would know exactly what just happened .
Outside , Derek was still muttering , “ Weird , why isn’t Owen answering ? And Aria’s not picking up either … ”
Snapping back to reality , Aria grabbed Owen’s arm , dragging him toward the bedroom , whispering , “ Go hide somewhere , quick . ”
She shoved him inside and doubled back toward the front door .
Just before she opened it , she glanced over her shoulder . Owen was slipping into her room , turning to ask , “ Should I close the door ? ”
There were other bedrooms on the first floor , and even more upstairs , but he went straight for hers .
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Derek was still muttering outside , half talking to himself and half complaining , “ Don’t tell me they went on a date without telling me ? Great , just great . Looks like I’m sleeping on the street tonight . ”
Inside , Aria stiffly gave Owen a quick nod .
Owen closed the door and only then realized which room he’d chosen .
The other rooms were empty and locked , and hers was the only one slightly open .
He thought , ‘ Would she think I did this on purpose ? ‘ Feeling a little sheepish , Owen pressed his lips together – only to feel a sharp sting where she’d
bitten him .
He touched his mouth , couldn’t help himself , and broke into a quiet , helpless laugh .
He pulled up a chair , determined not to look around , but couldn’t stop his eyes from wandering .
The room was simple , warm tones , spotless vanity – no unnecessary decorations except a single teddy bear on the bed .
He figured Julia must have given it to her .
Sunlight poured through the curtains , lighting up the floor .
On the balcony , there were several pots – most just dirt , except for one lonely cactus .
Outside , Aria ran a hand through her hair , smoothed her face , and opened the door .
Derek was still calling , but when he saw her , he jumped . “ Aria ! There you are ! Why didn’t you pick up ? ”
Completely unfazed , Aria said , “ I was busy – left my phone on the couch . What’s up ? ”
Derek stepped inside like he owned the place , backpack slung over his shoulder . “ School’s having a graduation party . I’m back for three days . I tried to drop my stuff at Owen’s , but he wasn’t home either . ”
Of course he wasn’t – Owen was here , and his phone was at his place .
Aria glanced discreetly toward her bedroom . “ He’ll probably be back later . Just pick any room to crash in for now . ”
Once Derek was settled , she’d find a way to sneak Owen out .
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Derek dropped his bag , took his laptop to the table by the balcony , and fired it up . “ I’ll work here . We’ve got a project on deadline , so I’ll be up late . ”
He wasn’t planning to join the party , but Patrick had insisted . He couldn’t let college end with regrets . So here he was .
“ I’ll probably keep you up if I type all night in Owen’s place . Mind if I sleep here ? ” Derek asked .
“ Of course , go ahead , ” Aria said . “ Did you eat yet ? ”
“ Had something on the train . ”
Aria glanced at his keyboard . “ Maybe you should work in your own room ? That thing’s pretty loud . ”
Derek didn’t even look up . “ You can just go to your room , it’s fine . I’ll come in when I’m done . The room by the balcony’s good , right ? ”
“ It’s fine , ” Aria replied .
“ Don’t worry about me , get some rest , ” Derek said , already immersed in work .
Aria shot another glance at her bedroom , feeling complicated .
She thought , ‘ First time I kissed Owen , he roped me into a contract . Second time , Derek shows up and Owen’s trapped in my room . Maybe next time I should keep my cool – the consequences are getting out of hand !
Derek suddenly paused , side – eyeing her . “ Is it hot in here ? Your face is kinda red . Are you … wearing lipstick ? Going out ? ”
He’d never seen her with makeup before – his – curiosity was piqued .
Aria pressed a palm to his forehead , pushing him back . “ No lipstick , not going anywhere . Back off – you stink . ”
Derek instantly straightened , sniffing under each arm . “ Okay , I did sweat a bit running over , but I don’t stink ! Since when do you have a bloodhound’s
nose ? ”
Aria seized the chance . “ Why not shower first ? ”
“ Alright , alright . ” Derek headed toward the bathroom , then stopped when his phone rang .
“ Derek , are you settled in ? ” came a voice from the other end .
“ All good , ” Derek replied .
Aria called over , “ That performance report wasn’t thorough enough – redo it and send it to me before morning , then you can actually enjoy your grad party .”
Derek doubled back to his computer , “ Got it . I’ll finish it up and send it over . ”
He got to work , tossing back to Aria , “ I’ll be busy for a while – sleep first , shower later . You won’t hear or smell me from your room ! ”
Aria finally made her way to her bedroom , pausing at the door for a second before twisting the handle .
Inside , Owen was sitting obediently in a chair . He stood as soon as he saw her . “ Derek’s staying over ? ”
His lip looked even worse , the bite mark darkening .
“ He’s working in the living room . No way to leave yet , we’ll have to play it by ear , ” Aria replied . She handed him some ointment and a cotton swab . “ Mirror’s over there . ”
Owen took the ointment but pulled her hand down , sitting back in the chair . “ Can you do it for me ? ”
“ You can do it yourself ,” Aria protested .
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He looked up at het . “ You’re the one who bit me . ”
She fell silent . Resigned , she squeezed out a little ointment and carefully dabbed it onto his lip , trying not to think about how they’d ended up here .
Her hand trembled just a little as the memory of their tangled kiss flashed back .
Standing , Aria was a head taller than Owen , so she had to bend over to reach him .
He watched her , a small smile curling at his lips , making it all too obvious she’d been caught staring .
“ All done , ” she said , straightening up and deliberately avoiding his eyes .
“ Thank you , ” Owen said softly .
Aria’s room had a few books , but Owen , still sitting , barely glanced at them . His mind was anywhere but the pages .
As the evening cooled , Aria retreated to the lounge chair on the balcony , leaving the room to him.
An hour passed . Derek was still working .
Two hours passed , and he was still at it .
On her fourth check – in , Derek finally snapped , “ Why do you keep asking when I’ll go to bed ? ”
“ It’s almost eleven . It’s cold – go warm up in your room , ” Aria replied .
Derek gawked . “ It’s summer . ”
“ Don’t stay up too late . Try to sleep early . ”
“ I’ll be up until three or four , but I’ll sleep in tomorrow . Seriously , go to bed . ”
Resigned , Aria rolled her eyes at the ceiling and went back to her room .
Owen , who’d been up all night with excitement , was starting to fade .
When he heard the door , he perked up . “ Derek’s still in the living room ? ”
Aria cut to the chase , “ You’ve got work tomorrow . Just sleep here tonight . ”
Owen’s sleepiness vanished instantly . He looked up at her , startled and a little hopeful , “ You mean … sleep here , with you ? ”
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