Chapter 77

Aria's POV I had no idea what to say. This was exactly what I'd meant to discuss, but suddenly I was terrified he might think I was after his money. Why did I have to open this can of worms? I fidgeted with my hands, pressing my fingernails into my palms. God, I wished someone would burst through the door right now and rescue me from this awkward silence. The room was so quiet I could hear my own accelerated heartbeat pounding in my ears. I pressed harder into my palms, desperately searching for something—anything—to say that would ease this tension, but my mind went completely blank. "What are you thinking about?" Aiden finally broke the silence, his voice low and curious. Without thinking, the words tumbled out of my mouth. "I'm afraid you'll think I'm after your money or something." As soon as I said it, I wanted to disappear into the floor. To my surprise, Aiden's lips curved into a smile that made my stomach flip. He shifted closer, the leather sofa creaking beneath us as the gap