Chapter 53. Trust

Joan POV

Aaron arrived exactly five minutes later. I opened the door just wide enough to let him in, careful to keep our shoulders from brushing.

I stayed by the door as he walked a few steps into the room and then turned to face me. My teeth caught my lower lip as I fought to hide the tremble I felt building.

His brows knitted together as his eyes searched me, and I swallowed hard.

“Can I... can I hug you?” I asked, meeting his gaze. A small, stubborn part of me hoped he’d say no, that it would snap me back to reality and away from this growing delusion.

It would remind me what we were—just casual, no strings attached. But every minute I spent with him chipped away at my defenses. I could feel my heart peeling open, wanting to confide in him.

I’d already told him things I hadn’t planned to. Things I used to only share with Rhoda. And now, somehow, he was replacing her, though in an entirely different way.

“Come here,” he said softly,