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Post by heroicmuse on Mar 23, 2024 9:14:25 GMT -5
It's a tough call. Hope should trust her gut but is it gut instinct or fear of moving on?
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Post by André DiMera on Mar 23, 2024 9:23:07 GMT -5
Hope the date goes well.
Excited for the road trip!
Will be nice to see J.J. and Justin’s talk!
Thanks for the previews!
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Post by doolfan4life on Mar 23, 2024 9:28:10 GMT -5
Thanks for the previews and the fun fact about the couple
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Post by Kpatch on Mar 25, 2024 7:35:12 GMT -5
Chapter 436b
At Yi Chung’s Mandarin Thai Pan Asian Fusion Restaurant in the square, Aiden opened his menu and folded his arms on top of it. He smiled at Hope across the table. “I’m glad you were okay with Chinese food. I’ve been having these wild cravings for Chinese.” He tilted his head to try and read Hope’s thoughts. Since he didn’t get any reaction from her, he decided to try small talk. “How was your Christmas?”
Hope looked up. “Wonderful as always.”
“Can you expand on that comment?”
She raised a brow. “Yes Counselor, I can. My family has this generations-old tradition at Christmas. Every member of the Horton family and everyone who marries into the family gets a hand-made ornament with their name on it. We gather together at the home my grandmother used to own and we hang all the ornaments on the tree on Christmas Day. We even hang ornaments for those who are no longer with us.”
“Like your late husband.”
“That’s right. I hang my husband’s ornament as well as my mother’s and my son Zach’s.”
“You had a son who died?”
Hope nodded but it was clear she didn’t want to elaborate. “How was your Christmas?” she asked.
“A little disappointing. I was hoping my son Chase would come home for the holidays but he chose to stay at school instead.”
“Oh?”
“New girlfriend. I can’t compete with that,” he responded with a smile. “I have a tradition too, but it’s not quite as familial. A few years back, I started volunteering for Feeding America.”
“That’s very generous of you.”
He shrugged. “I’ve been lucky, career wise and financially. The least I can do is give of my time and money.” He looked at her intently. “Have I told you how glad I am that you finally agreed to have dinner with me?”
“You were persistent,” she commented without emotion, focused mainly on the menu.
“Hmm. I see I still have my work cut out for me,” Aiden mused.
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Post by André DiMera on Mar 25, 2024 7:42:32 GMT -5
Seems like the date’s going decently so far.
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Post by heroicmuse on Mar 25, 2024 8:36:41 GMT -5
Awkward conversation but at least they're getting to know each other.
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Post by mae00 on Mar 25, 2024 9:42:28 GMT -5
I'm glad that Aiden didn't push the issue of Zach.
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Post by Trey on Mar 25, 2024 11:01:14 GMT -5
I don't know... Hope is clearly not interested, and Aiden is not heeding the clues. And, it isn't right that Aiden keeps bringing up Bo. He will never be able to compete with his memory.
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Post by doolfan4life on Mar 25, 2024 14:51:54 GMT -5
Just curious how old is chase in this story
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Post by Kpatch on Mar 26, 2024 7:09:43 GMT -5
Just curious how old is chase in this story College age. |
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Post by Kpatch on Mar 26, 2024 7:10:02 GMT -5
Chapter 436c
“Have I told you how glad I am that you finally agreed to have dinner with me?” Aiden said to Hope.
“You were persistent,” she commented without emotion, focused mainly on the menu.
“Hmm. I see I still have my work cut out for me,” Aiden mused.
Hope took off her readers. “I told you, I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“Then how about companionship?” Aiden suggested.
“Really,” Hope asked with skepticism. “Is that all you want?”
“No,” he answered slowly. “What I want is a woman who likes to have fun and who’s completely smitten with me.”
Hope raised a brow and Aiden continued. “Okay, you got me. That’s not what I’m looking for at all—except maybe the smitten part,” he joked. “If I came on too strong to begin with, I’m sorry, but it’s not often I meet a woman who’s strong and smart and independent. Look, I know it’s hard to get back in the saddle after you’ve lost the love of your life. I can count on one hand how many dates I’ve had since Meredith died. I’m not a casual dater either. But I wanted to get to know you better, Hope. Give me a chance. Please.”
His expression was so sincere, Hope couldn’t help but smile. “I haven’t had Chinese in forever either.”
“You’re smiling. Maybe I have a chance after all. At the risk of being too forward, you know New Year’s Eve is just a few days from now. If you’re not busy, perhaps we could do something. I’ve been wanting to see the touring company of Rent.”
“That sounds nice, Aiden, but I do have plans. My Aunt Maggie is having a party at the mansion. Mostly family. You know.”
“Ah. I understand,” he uttered. But his face showed deep disappointment.
Hope put her glasses back on. “Um. Look. I’m sure Maggie wouldn’t mind if I brought um a friend,” she stated before she even realized what she said.
He reached for her hand across the table. “I’d love to.”
Feeling a little uncomfortable, Hope slid her hand out of his and gripped the menu. “Ready to order?”
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Post by heroicmuse on Mar 26, 2024 8:13:28 GMT -5
Hope is really ambivalent. I'm interested in how this party will go.
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Post by André DiMera on Mar 26, 2024 8:39:19 GMT -5
Seems Hope might just be softening slightly towards Aiden.
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Post by Trey on Mar 26, 2024 10:42:03 GMT -5
I'm glad that Aiden was sincere for once. He is definitely coming off as a jerk. I think Hope would let her guard down if he showed a bit more vulnerability.
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Post by doolfan4life on Mar 26, 2024 10:58:08 GMT -5
Thanks for clarifying chases age
Just to make sure I understand he’s not the same age as Claire and Ciara or are they all different?
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