Aaron couldn't accurately gauge how well things were going on their date because Keeley was giving off very mixed signals. She wasn't openly hostile like before but she also wasn't making any effort to keep the conversation going—she answered direct questions and that was it.

At least she seemed to be enjoying the food. This was a good choice. He remembered her mentioning that she took her dad here to eat before so he knew she liked it.

He held back his frustration that she wouldn't give much detail. If she didn't bring up the fact that she had a cat, he wouldn't be able to enact his plan.

It was Aiden's second piece of advice before leaving his office after Aaron asked about it—if he asked for Keeley's help in getting a cat himself, it would show his soft side and he would be able to spend more time with her.

He felt a bit regretful. Keeley asked about getting pets before when they were married but he said no because they received a lot of antiques as wedding presents. That wouldn't be a problem now—the furniture in his penthouse was nice but not priceless.

It was clear that she was enjoying her life without him by doing whatever she wanted based on both her haircut and her pet.

He wouldn't stand in the way of anything she wanted this time—nobody's opinion mattered but hers to him anymore. She could do whatever and he would support it. He just wanted her back.

Too much of his previous life had been spent worrying about what other people would think, how other people in his circle would treat her, and that she would be in danger if he cared too much. Not anymore.

Things had been awfully quiet on both the business and marriage fronts. Lacy still spoke to him every chance she got but Aaron only went to functions that were absolutely essential in order to avoid running into her.

His mother tried matchmaking several times but hadn't so much as gotten him to go on a single blind date. He was reserved for Keeley alone. Why waste his time on other shallow women?

As for work…his plans were still underway but he was at a point where his father couldn't suppress him so easily.

That was what gave him the confidence to start going after his woman for real this time. He believed he could keep Keeley safe from potential schemers with his current power.

Keeley's phone buzzed and she frowned before pulling it out and checking her messages. She immediately slapped a hand to her forehead when she saw what time it was.

"Look, I really have to get home now. I haven't even started my paper."

Aaron was a bit disappointed but kept it in. There would be many more chances to see her in the future. At least she hadn't yelled at him today. He signaled for the check and boxed up the leftovers, giving all of them to Keeley.

She seemed surprised as she thanked him. He wasn't sure whether or not to be insulted. It seemed her opinion of him hadn't changed much. He needed to work on fixing that.

He wanted to broach the subject of her cat but didn't get the chance since she pulled out her laptop the second they were in the car and began typing away furiously, giving off extreme 'do not disturb' vibes.

Suddenly, he felt very sorry for all the times he did the exact same thing to her. It was unsettling.

Keeley remained busy the entire 40 minute drive back to her neighborhood but she got off a few blocks away after politely thanking him for the meal and wishing him well, as if she didn't expect to see him again. It was the same silly trick she pulled in high school.

Aaron was disgruntled. Despite her civility, she was definitely still heavily guarded against him. Based on her goodbye, she seemed to think today was nothing but a coincidence that wouldn't happen again.

'Nice try, my love,' he thought. 'You're not getting away from me so easily.'

Back at his apartment, he looked around with a heavy sense of loss. This six bedroom, five bathroom, three-floor high penthouse was never meant to be a bachelor pad.

The first floor had a guest room, an office, and a library. The second floor was meant for entertaining guests and had a large terrace. The remaining bedrooms were up on the third floor, which also led to sole access of the building's roof.

An apartment this size was meant for a family. He would give Keeley free rein to decorate once she moved in this time rather than listening to his mother's advice and hiring an interior designer for the house they previously lived in. She would like that.

Aaron seriously considered buying their previous home when he finished college but ultimately decided against it. Keeley wouldn't know any better but he had a lot of unhappy memories there, especially since he couldn't bear to leave after she died.

A new start here would be much better. He wished she would be comfortable enough with him to move in soon. Even though he just saw her, Aaron missed his wife.

His phone rang as he stared out over the lonely skyline and he answered angrily when he saw who it was.

"What?" he barked.

"You will attend tonight's cocktail party," Alistair commanded, uncaring as ever. "Find a date or I will find one for you."

Aaron wanted to break something. So much for getting a break from his parents' attempts at matchmaking.

He couldn't antagonize the man yet—he still needed at least half of the wild card shareholders in his pocket before he could do that.

"I'll bring someone," he said frostily before hanging up.

With a sigh, he mentally reviewed the single socialites he knew and weighed his options. He would rather stab himself in the eye than ask Lacy Knighton. Rachel von Dyne was too close to Lacy for his liking. Sarah Silver had a reputation for being a sloppy drunk and that wouldn't do for his family's image; Alistair would kill him.

The list of available women without some sort of defect was distressingly small.

However…Alistair never said his date had to be in their circle. An actress or model would be an acceptable companion for such a casual event. It just so happened he knew of an actress in need of work.