Page 104 of One Time in Paris
The champagne bottle popped,and Aiden looked around the crowded boardroom at the smiling faces. He should feel happy. Proud even.
But the celebration just felt...empty.
He’d sat through enervating meetings Tuesday through Thursday, then caught an early-morning flight to London today—in time for Callum and Liddy’s party tomorrow.
Days of bone-numbing weariness that had allowed him to close the deal with Ipolymer.
“To Aiden,” James Swale, the chair of the board, said, raising his champagne glass.
The group in the boardroom toasted him and he gave a thin-lipped smile, avoiding most of the smiles and gazes directed at him. Mason was noticeably absent from the meeting—not that he was required to be here. But he should have been.
And not just because he oversaw a department.
But because he’d worked hard on this, too. Aiden had put him up to the task, Mason had gotten them over the toughest part, and then Aiden had closed the deal.
Without Mason, he might not even be here.
Aiden downed the champagne swiftly as the crowd in the room turned to relaxed mingling rather than a formal meeting. Within a few minutes, Aiden had let himself out of the room and headed toward his own office. All he wanted to do was go back to his house, call Isla, and crawl in bed.
“Aiden,” Liddy called, following him.
Dammit.As much as he loved Liddy, he didn’t really want to face her right now.
He turned and forced a smile he didn’t feel. “You caught me,” he joked. “I was hoping to escape without notice.”
“Yeah, not likely. You’re head of the company, so people notice when you’re gone.” Liddy grinned. Funny how much she looked like Elle right now. She’d lightened her hair color recently—which always seemed to be what distinguished the two the most. Their faces were like two different versions of the same flower.
“Is there something you needed?” he asked. “I’m looking forward to the party in a couple of days.”
“No, well, sort of. I was hoping you might be able to take Callum out tomorrow for brunch, before the party. I know it sounds like a ridiculous favor, but he’s been so stressed. I wouldn’t normally go behind his back, but I think he’s struggling with depression. He hasn’t quite found his footing since he stopped working here. But between buying new investment properties and the fact that his parents are both going to be in the same room together this weekend—his dad got into town today, his mom arrived yesterday—plus all the drama with Isla, I think he could just use some time out with the guys. Grab a drink or something.”
A lump formed in Aiden’s throat. “You all don’t have family get-togethers planned for tomorrow morning? I’m surprised.”
“Ha—no. I was lucky that I could get Callum to agree to a post-elopement party. He was happy with the wedding just being us. You know how he is with his parents. But Quinn and Elle arrived yesterday, and I’m going out with our sisters for manis and makeup. Maybe you can plan something with the guys?”
“Leave it to me,” Aiden said with a nod. Then because he couldn’t help himself, he added, “There hasn’t beenmoredrama with Isla, has there?”
Liddy sighed, then nodded. “Yeah, and don’t pretend you don’t know about it. You can drop the act. Callum is fine with it now, though it took a few of us talking him down about it all.”
Aiden froze, staring at her.
They know?
Why in the hell didn’t Isla tell me?
Then again—he’d barely talked to her the past few days. He’d worked, swallowed some coffee, tea, and sandwiches, and slept. If the company jet hadn’t been equipped with a shower, he would have raced for the one in his office upon arrival—not that he would have had time for it.
But still...
“And Callum’s fine with it?” Aiden asked, voice strangled.
“Yeah, but like I said, I think it would help if you took him out.”
Aiden ran a hand through his hair, relaxing slightly. “I thought he’d murder me, if I’m honest. I’m shocked Isla told you. We wanted to tell you together, especially because Callum has always been so protective of her and who she dates.”
Liddy’s brow furrowed with confusion. Then she inhaled a sharp gasp, her eyes growing wide. “Oh my God, are you and Isla dating?”
Fuck. A thousand miserable fucks. Aiden, you absolute wanker. How could you be so idiotic?
