A Secret Fate by Susan Griscom

she regretted it. Placing her hands over her empty womb she considered; maybe a cat and a dog to keep the baby company and of course, they’d continue living in the beach house forever.
    “You okay, love?” Aiden’s voice pulled her out of the fairytale her mind wanted so desperately to be living in.
    “Yeah, just peachy,” she said and coming to her senses, thought those were dreams from another time. Looking at Cael now, she didn’t see how it would ever happen, because he didn’t seem to be the slightest bit interested in her. Turning away before Aiden could ask her anything else, she strolled toward the middle of the bar, opened up the small fridge, and pretended to look for something inside. Coming up empty-handed, she closed it. The last thing she wanted was for Cael to get the impression that she and Aiden were a couple. Letting Aiden accompany her to Breena’s birthday party had been a mistake. It probably appeared as if they were more than friends, especially after the way Aiden caught her around the waist when her knees had buckled while re-meeting Cael. Sure, they had been spending some time together; Aiden made it almost impossible not to, but it didn’t mean anything just because she’d given into his kindness. Yes she’d accepted his generosity and concern about her eating properly, and they’d been hanging out and being friendly, but they’d just sit around and talk, sharing ability stories mostly. There really was nothing to it. Aiden had never made a pass at her, and even though Addie knew how he felt without him confessing anything, they were just friends.
    Darcy was over at the men’s table in a flash. Boy, you’d think she had some hyper speed power the way she got there so quickly. She looked cute too, in her tight jeans with the glittering flaps on the back pockets that showed off her curvy rear end. Addie watched her friend stand in front of her boyfriend, smiling as she placed little cocktail napkins in front of each of them. Cael looked up at Darcy and smiled, his blue eyes twinkling with delight. Oh, she’d better not be flirting with him!Darcy was a great friend, but Addie wouldn’t put anything past her, even though Darcy and Jared were heavily in love with each other. Darcy always commented about how gorgeous Cael was, and Addie knew he didn’t remember Darcy anymore than he remembered her. It would be just like Darcy to tease him just to see if she could get a reaction. At a time like this, Addie almost wished she wasn’t behind the bar mixing drinks but instead out and about, waiting on tables. The fact that Darcy wore some pretty salacious clothing did not help Addie’s ego at that moment, as she noticed Cael’s eyes roaming up and down Darcy’s body. Addie flicked her hand up and the tray Darcy balanced on her hand fell to the floor with a crash. Empty beer bottles clanged and rolled around. Addie cringed and then smiled; thankfully, none of them broke. Darcy always prided herself on how well she balanced those trays. Addie watched all Darcy’s tip money scatter around the floor, and a little twinge of guilt crept up her spine as Darcy became all flustered and apologetic to Bart and Cael. Well, Darcy shouldn’t have acted so … so available. Besides, making the tray topple over was a harmless and virtually uncontrollable urge.
    Addie glanced at her watch. In twenty more minutes, the band would start and her shift would be over. She stared back at the table and winced. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Aiden’s eyes following hers and he frowned. The last thing she wanted was to cause him any pain.
    She needed to be able to spend some time with Cael and Bart without seeming to barge in. How could she engage in a conversation with them when they were all the way across the room? It wasn’t like she could just walk over and sit with them, or could she? She knew Bart. Why not? She glanced at Gerry. He looked at her and nodded knowingly as he approached her,