Page 117 of One Time in Paris
Abandoning her drink, she rushed into the cocktail hour room and scanned the space. Aiden wasn’t hard to find—thank goodness he was tall—but he was already moving toward the dining room beside Logan, the two of them laughing at some joke as though they didn’t have a care in the world.
Like the last few minutes hadn’t happened.Her heart had cracked open and spilled the truth all over a balcony railing.But Aiden hadn’t heard it yet.
Hurrying in her long evening gown and heels, Isla came up behind Aiden and grabbed him by the elbow, eliciting a look of surprise from Logan. “I need to talk to you.Now.”
Aiden gave her a curious look but said nothing as she dragged him away down the hallway toward the toilets.
“What is it?” Aiden asked.
They appeared to be alone, thankfully, and she stopped at the end of the hall, between the two doors for the men's and women’s rooms. “Callum knows the truth,” she whispered.
Aiden stilled. Completely. No breath, no blink—like the words had frozen him mid-thought.
“What?” he asked, voice low, almost hoarse.
“He’s known for a while apparently. Lola told him something about seeing us in Vegas.”
Aiden closed his eyes and turned slightly away, exhaling through gritted teeth. “Fuck.” His hand went to the back of his neck, massaging the skin like he’d suddenly developed a deep headache. For a long moment, he said nothing.
“How did Lola find out, exactly?”
“After that phone call she picked up. I think it set her over the edge. She couldn’t stand the thought that I’d picked you. So, she started digging and found the public marriage records in Vegas.”
Oh shit.
Isla shifted her weight, nervous energy ticking through her limbs. “He doesn’t seem to know about the marriage. At least not yet.”
That got his eyes back on her—blazing now, but not with anger. With something else. Dread? Shame? Regret? All of it?
“He must be furious with me,” Aiden said, barely above a whisper. Isla softened, especially as she thought about Callum’s thoughts on Aiden and her.
“But then, my anger faded, and it occurred to me that there also wasn’t anyone I trusted as much as Aiden...He’s always cared about you, and I couldn’t think of someone I’d be happier to see you with.”
“He’s hurt, but not in the way you think. He said that he couldn’t think of anyone he’d be happier to see me with.” Aiden smiled at that, although it was a reluctant smile. Isla’s heartbeat was erratic. “He’s upset because everyone has been lying to him, which is fair. We should make sure he learns aboutour marriagefrom us.”
“Tonight? Here?” Aiden hesitated, his face lined with worry.
Isla nodded. “I think so.”
Aiden was silent, as though allowing the news to sink in. “All right. I’ll follow your lead.” A determined look crossed his eyes, the type that she imagined he must have in the office when closing a deal.
Thiswas the side of him she loved. The one that wouldn’t back down. Who’d hold her hand even if they were walking through fire.
He seemed to catch the moment her gaze turned lusty, and a smile curved at his lips.
He bent, then pressed a deep, scorching kiss to her mouth, his hand grazing her breast. “It’s taken every single ounce of my control not to do that all evening,” he whispered, heat blistering through his gaze.
Funny how a kiss from him could make her instantly feel better. More grounded.
“Get out of here,” she whispered with a roll of her eyes. “Before you get us both in more trouble.”
He winked and turned to go, and she reached out, playfully smacking him on the backside.
His step faltered just slightly, then he tossed her a wicked grin. “Don’t tempt me with ideas for later.”
Settling back against the wall as he left, Isla closed her eyes, trying to still her heart.
We can do this. Together.The hard part was almost over, and it might not be so bad after all.
