Page 85 of One Time in Paris
Somehow Aiden had become the person she wanted to call with her news—both good and bad. The first person she told anything to.
But deep down, she was also aware that he wasn’t completely free, and maybe never would be. Even if she became his girlfriend, he’d never be the type of man she could call at any time of the day and expect him to answer her.
He was already committed to something else. A role that would take precedence . . . even to her.
“I think I’m going to pop in that boutique. See if I can’t find a good hat. It’s awfully bright today,” Isla said, heading for the first store that looked like it had women’s clothing.
Tomas seemed to sense that she was done talking and nodded, leaving some space between them. “Remember what I said. Anytime you need to talk, I’m right here.”
“Thanks,” she called over her shoulder.
He meant well. And, in some ways, it was good that he’d followed her, offering an olive branch. She felt strangely better abouthimnow. Like they’d settled something from the past she hadn’t realized needed addressing.
On the other hand, she felt worse about other things.
“. ..it’s still nice to be wanted, isn’t it? Better that than to be rejected and told never mind.”
Her heart squeezed hard, then she pushed the echo of Tomas’s words away and headed into the shop.
27
AIDEN
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK
Aiden slidthe thick stack of paperwork into a case, then checked his mobile.
Dammit.
He was already heading out later for the airport than he wanted to be.
Worse still, Isla hadn’t called the night before. And the tone of her texts had shifted since he’d messaged her to let her know he wouldn’t be able to leave yet again. Almost as though Lola somehow knew he had plans for the weekend, she and her team had insisted on meeting all day yesterday and then this morning to finish reviewing a few items.
Instead of spending the weekend with the only woman he wanted, he’d spent it across a boardroom table from his ex, going over numbers and facts and figures until a migraine pounded at his temples, and his eyes burned with exhaustion.
He downed the rest of the coffee he’d grabbed this morning, wrinkling his nose, and glanced at Lola. “This has been productive. Thanks for your time this morning,” he said, as though somehowshewas the one doing him a favor.
Lola stretched her shoulders back, graceful in her tailored dress as she stood. “I’ll walk you to the lobby.”
It was the last thing he wanted, but everything in the past few days had been an exercise in patience. They were so close to the finish line on the Ipolymer deal that now he had to be wise. He wasn’t here for himself—but for the company. “Thank you,” he said with a curt smile as he nodded his goodbyes to her team.
He held the door to the office open for her, and they went through it, walking side by side. When he’d taken this job back from Mason earlier in the week, he’d been filled with regret and hesitation. Working with Lola was a challenge he hadn’t relished.
Yet she’d been on her best behavior. The whole thing had gone more smoothly than expected, with their every exchange polite.
Or maybe it was easier now because of Isla. Any hold Lola had on him before was now gone, evaporated completely. That included her ability to get under his skin as easily, too. Each time he checked his phone and found a waiting message from Isla, it brought a feeling of eagerness that he hadn’t felt in ages.
“You see?” Lola said as they arrived at the lift and pressed the button for it. “We’re capable of working together. We make a great team, Aiden. No need to send Mason.”
Discussing the deal out of the office and away from others didn’t feel entirely safe. He gave her a polite smile as the liftdinged.“I’m glad of it.”
She followed him inside the lift, then selected the button for the lobby. “Where are you heading now?”
“The airport. I have a flight to Nashville that leaves in an hour and forty-five minutes.” Hopefully, traffic in the city wouldn’t be as brutal on a Sunday morning.
“Oh, I love Nashville. It’s a fun town. Are you visiting Quinn?”
The thought of his brother made Aiden’s fingers curl into his palms. “No.” He didn’t particularly want to expand on the subject, but he added, “There’s a film production I’ve invested in. I’m going to check on it.”
