Page 79 of I Knew You Were Trouble

I blink. Paige’s brows have risen up her forehead. Aidan’s holding a takeaway drink with a plastic lid and a paper straw coming out of the top. He stares at me, his mouth falling open.

‘Aidey!’ Paige exclaims.

He then looks to his sister. ‘What is Lexi doing here?’ he says in a low, gravelly tone.

My stomach flips over. My mouth opens to say something but no words emerge.

‘You’re supposed to be in London!’ Paige says, her shrill voice sounding strangled.

‘What?’ Aidan snaps. ‘When was I going to London?’

‘Really?’ Paige hums and I now realise I’ve been an idiot and that she’s completely set this up. She knew he wouldn’t be going anywhere. ‘I could have sworn you said you were going to London.’

The realisation has dawned on Aidan too. ‘What the fuck, Paige?’ he snaps.

‘Oh, this is embarrassing,’ Paige says but I now detect a note of glee in her tone. ‘Well, now that Lexi’s here, she can’t very wellleave. I need to go help the others get set up for later. So,Aidey, why don’tyoutake good care of our guest and be sure to give her the presents you got her. I didn’t wrap them for nothing. And remember to tell her what happened with Lucy.’

‘I am legit going to cut you open,’ Aidan deadpans, glaring mercilessly at his twin, who doesn’t appear to care and takes great pleasure in bossing her brother about.

‘Play nice with Lexi!’ Paige sings triumphantly as she trots down the stairs and out of the door at the bottom, slamming it behind her as she goes. It leaves us in silence and me with a heavy boulder of anxiety in the pit of my stomach.

Aidan keeps his eyes on the carpet. He’s wearing jeans and a shirt with a black overcoat.

‘Well, this isn’t awkward,’ he mumbles.

My breath is shaky, my nerve endings all tingling in humiliation. ‘Paige said you were going to a party in London. I didn’t think you’d be here. I would never have come otherwise.’

He rubs the bridge of his nose. ‘As you’ve witnessed, Paige takes great pleasure in meddling in my life at any given opportunity.’

‘I’ll go,’ I state. ‘My cases are in the car. I’ll ask Paige to give me a lift back to your aunt’s hotel. I’m so sorry.’

He raises his eyes to me. I see his throat working. ‘Did Paige show you around?’ he mutters.

I nod. ‘She did, a bit. I like your room.’

He conceals a smile. ‘This is all my mum’s work. I’ve never had time to focus on it.’

‘She’s obviously very proud of you.’

‘Did Paige introduce you?’

‘No, I… I haven’t been here long.’

He goes quiet.

My voice is shaky. ‘Would you mind giving me a lift back to the hotel, please?’

After a moment he says, ‘You might as well stay.’

‘I shouldn’t. You don’t want me here.’

‘Lex—’

My eyes go to his. I’d forgotten how much I love it. The sound of my name on his lips.

One hand goes to the back of his neck, massaging his muscles. He puts down his drink. ‘I got you something. A replacement birthday present, and something for Christmas.’

‘Oh.’

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