Chapter 230

Aria's POV I pointed at the trophy sitting on the side. "No first place, no surprise." Looking down at my hands resting on my knees, I fidgeted nervously with my fingers. My first attempt at acting, and I was terrified Aiden would see right through me. Aiden couldn't see my expression, but he must have thought I was genuinely upset with my head hanging low like that. "Second place is still something to celebrate," he said, reaching out to stroke my hair. "Hungry?" Before I could answer, my traitorous stomach growled loudly. I lifted my head, my ears burning with embarrassment. "Starving." "Want to grab something to eat?" "God, yes." Aiden stood up, and I instinctively reached for his hand, which he gripped firmly. After hesitating for a moment, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him. "You're not mad at me, are you?" I asked, searching his face. "Why would I be mad when my beautiful wife went to all this trouble just to surprise me?" he replied with a gentle smile. Hearing tho