Chapter 16

Ivy, present time...

I let out a heavy sigh as I checked myself in the mirror one last time.

It was almost time to go to dinner with Aidan, and I felt a tight knot in my stomach. I didn't want to do this. I would instead do anything else, but I was given no choice. So now here I was, making myself all pretty for the man who assaulted me last night.

What has become of me?

"You look great." Aidan's voice cut through the silence, and I turned to him.

"Let's just get this over with," I said through gritted teeth.

"Is spending the evening with me that unbearable?" he asked with a sly grin.

"Do you really want me to reply?" I snapped.

He stopped smiling. "No, I don't. Come on, let's go. We can't be late," he said.

~-~

Stepping into the dimly lit ambiance of the restaurant, my heart hammered in my chest.

Aidan led me toward a table, and I was surprised to see that we were not dining alone.