Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 269

Aria's POV

"Summer, you're asking me again?" I rolled my eyes as my assistant bombarded me with questions the moment we stepped off the plane.

"So you two sat together? Did he say anything weird to you?" Summer's eyes were practically sparkling with curiosity.

I felt my cheeks flush. "No, nothing like that. He just told me about a part-time job opportunity."

"And you talked the whole flight?" She leaned in closer, hanging on my every word.

"Not really. We didn't have much to talk about." I adjusted the strap of my carry-on, wishing she'd drop the subject.

Summer clicked her tongue. "Strange. Such a perfect opportunity and he didn't make a move? That's weird."

"Is it possible you're just reading too much into this?" I asked, feeling increasingly uncomfortable with her matchmaking attempts.

"Come on, Aria! I may not have dated anyone, but I know what it looks like when someone's interested. That look in his eyes? You can't fake that."

I was about to argue when my phone started ringing in my purse. The familiar tone cut through our conversation.

Summer wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. "That's definitely Aiden calling!"

My heart did a little flip as I pulled out my phone and checked the screen. She was right—it was Aiden. I moved a few steps away for some privacy and answered.

"Hey, Aiden?"

"Have you landed?" His deep voice came through clearly, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.

"Just did. We're heading to baggage claim now."

"Good. I'm at Terminal 18."

"Okay, see you in a bit."

"See you soon, Mrs. Carter." The way he said my married name made my stomach flutter.

I ended the call and turned back to Summer, who was watching me with a knowing smile. "Let's go get our luggage."

"Aiden came to pick you up, didn't he?" she asked, practically bouncing with excitement.

My face warmed again. "Yeah, he wasn't too busy today."

"Of course he wasn't! You're more important than any meeting." Summer clutched her chest dramatically. "God, you two are giving me heart palpitations!"

I felt my ears burning as Summer continued gushing. The way she reacted to my relationship with Aiden always made me self-conscious, but in a good way. Like I was living someone else's dream life.

Summer must have noticed my embarrassment because she quickly changed the subject. "Let's grab our bags!"

Our suitcases were already circling on the conveyor belt when we reached baggage claim. After showing our claim tickets to the attendant, we wheeled our luggage toward the exit.

The moment we stepped into the arrival hall, I was hit by a wall of noise. A crowd had gathered, screaming and holding up signs.

"Wow, that's a lot of fans," I remarked, taking in the chaotic scene.

Summer nudged my arm. "If you were more public about your work, you'd have just as many fans as Julian does, Aria!"

I shook my head, knowing better. "He's a singer. Of course he's more famous than me."

As we navigated through the crowd, I spotted Aiden standing a short distance away. My heart immediately picked up speed at the sight of him—tall, imposing, and ridiculously handsome in his tailored suit.

"Summer, I see Aiden! I'm heading over!"

"Oh, okay—" she started to say, but I was already pulling my suitcase through the crowd, weaving between people to reach him.

I practically threw myself into Aiden's arms when I reached him, breathing in his familiar scent. After a moment, I realized how public our display was and pulled back, my cheeks burning.

"There are so many people," I murmured, looking up at him. "We should get going."

Aiden brushed a strand of hair from my face, his eyes drifting toward the commotion nearby. "Julian's fans," he observed, before looking back at me. "Did you two run into each other at the airport?"

I nodded without thinking. "Yeah, he actually sat next to me on the plane."

Something flashed across Aiden's expression as he made a disapproving sound under his breath.

"What?" I asked, confused by his reaction.

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