Page 59 of One Time in Paris
“It makes the most sense. Why else wouldn’t you tell me?”
“Because...” She squared off with him, mind scrambling.
Why didn’t I tell him?
She’d meant to tell him.
But then they’d been there in front of the Bellagio, and he’d been so hurt when he’d thought she’d accused him of taking advantage, so she’d just shut down the discussion, not wanting to talk about anything.
People talked about this sort of thing like it was romantic—like you could mistakenly get blackout drunk in Vegas and wake up in bed with someone. Married, even. The cliché was so ironically real, and the reality so much less fun than it’d been portrayed.
She drew a slow breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
Aiden was legally her husband?
“I’m sorry,” she managed at last, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “You’re right. I owed you the truth about that—or what I suspect is the truth, anyway. We did talk to security at the casino before I met with you, to tell them about what we thought had happened. I was just exhausted, Aiden. The whole ordeal was awful—notyou, of course—but I just didn’t expect to have this happen.”
His jaw worked for a moment as he considered her words, flexing with tension. At last, he nodded. “I understand. And I apologize also. I should have told you about the marriage license as soon as I found out.”
She took his hand into hers and squeezed it. “It’s fine. You’re right. We’ll just face this together, annul it, and go on with our lives before Callum finds out and murders us both.”
He grimaced. “Don’t remind me. God, I feel like such a liar right now. How am I supposed to face him after all this?”
His thumb brushed against the back of her hand, gently, and her breath stilled.
And there it is.
That.An innocent touch that shouldn’t feel like a current that sets my pulse racing.Yet it did.
But it was dangerous and stupid, and she wasn’t about to put herself through the temptations Aiden offered when he was so clearly trying to keep things platonic between them.
She pulled her hand back, then smiled and headed toward the vanity near the bathroom. She’d made the mistake of not bringing her own hair dryer, and the one provided at the hotel was ancient—but it was better than nothing.
“You know, you’re not the worst choice for a husband. I could hold out for areallygood divorce settlement.” Isla sighed dramatically. “Maybe a vacation house. A yacht. Some nice jewelry. Idolike Cartier.”
Aiden’s lips parted with shock. He came closer and crossed his arms, leaning against the wall beside her. “You wouldn’t.”
She smirked. “I don’t know, Aiden. I could retire to a beach, live my days getting tanned and reading books. Oh wait, that’s already what I do.”
“Unbelievable.” He shook his head, exhaling. “Most women would have at leastpretendedthey weren’t interested in my sizable bank account.”
“Oh, I’m notmostwomen, Aiden. Your sizable...um, bank accountis definitely one of your best assets.” Isla winked, then turned toward the mirror. She glanced at him through the reflection.
He watched her with a mix of astonishment and amusement, a grin on his lips. “Isla Scott, are you flirting with me?”
“And if I am?” She grabbed her brush, feeling a little bolder. “Is it so wrong for a woman to flirt with her own husband?”
She turned the hair dryer on, which screeched. A burst of hot air shot her hair across her face, and when she pushed it off, Aiden was still watching her with a look that didn’tquitesay enough...except that he appeared to be enjoying her antics.
That was a relief. They’d threatened their entire relationship with lies, misunderstandings, and behavior that might be considered downright toxic from the outside, and the whole thing had made her feel off like they needed to pause and find their footing again.
“I’m just Aiden. And you’re just Isla.”His words from that day in front of the Texas Eiffel Tower returned as she stared at him through the reflection.
Her heart squeezed. In moments like this, she understood exactly what he’d meant. It was so easy to be herself around him. To tell him anything on her mind, free of judgment and fear. Vegas had only deepened that aspect of their relationship, in a way, because he was the only one besides Davy whoknewabout that. Like in the space of their shared secret, they had grown closer and more open with each other in a way they couldn’t be with others.
A spark shot out from the hair dryer.
Dropping it and jumping back, Isla watched as the hair dryer clattered to the carpeted floor, a shower of sparks firing from it. Smoke and flames followed, filling the air with the tang of acrid, burned plastic.
