Page 137 of One Time in Paris
She looked so miserable that Isla felt sorry for her.
With a sigh, Isla said, “Davy, you violated my trust. And not just about something insignificant. You filmed something private and made a television show of it.My life.”
“I know.” Davy gripped her forearm. “And it’s not excusable. I know that, too. It wasn’t what I planned, though. I had no intention for the show to ever be about your life, you know that. But Antony and Boyd steamrolled me and my objections at every turn. The only win I had was that I refused to let them twist what happened between you and Aiden into something ugly. They wanted a whole cheating storyline, and I made sure it didn’t happen.”
Isla pursed her lips. She’d watched the first episode—at Aiden’s urging—and at least that was true. The show had painted it instead as Isla being pursued bybothTomas and Aiden—leaving the question as to who might end up with her as a point of tension.
In fact, the show had been pretty interesting.
Even I didn’t completely hate watching myself.
“You still should have told me what they had planned?—”
“I know. And honestly, I didn’t even find out about it until Tennessee. And then we had that argument when you forgot to tell Callum about the London segment, and—I don’t know. I let my anger and hurt get the better of me for a while. And then you had so much going on in your life.” Davy stopped and shook her head.
“I’m so ashamed, Isla. I love you. You’re my best friend. I should have said something, and I don’t blame you if you don’t forgive me.”
I love you too. And I’ve missed ...us.
Isla felt so conflicted. Davyseemedtruly sorry, and she could acknowledge that she had been steamrolled by Antony and Boyd. Both men seemed so misogynistic. But a breach in confidence like this?
Her gaze flicked toward Callum, who stood chatting in the distance with Aiden.
What type of hypocrite will I be if I can’t forgive someone who lied tomewhen they’re acknowledging it and apologizing?
“It’s a good show,” Isla said at last. “You did a good job, Davy. And you should be proud.”
Davy’s face fell. “But . . .?”
Isla smiled. “But nothing. Maybe I’m the idiot who needs to learn to read the paperwork a little better.” She reached for Davy’s hands. “Listen. I forgive you. I can’t say that it won’t take some work to figure out where we go in our friendship from here, but I love you, too. And I hope you’ll forgive me, too. Not only for the things I said in Tennessee and Maine, but also because you were right about me being self-centered the last couple of months.”
Davy sniffled. “Really?”
Isla nodded. “Really.”
With a laugh, Davy hugged her tightly. “Isla, I’m so sorry. If it helps, I’m planning on quitting my job at the Travelog Channel as soon as we figure out how to wrap this show. I shouldn’t have?—”
“You must be joking. No, absolutely not. You’ve worked too hard to get where you are, Davy. I won’t allow it. Besides, that channel needs some fierce, kick-ass women breaking the glass ceiling and contending with the likes of Boyd.”
Davy sniffled and wiped her face. “I guess that’s true.”
Isla linked arms with her and tugged her back in the direction of Aiden and Callum. “It’s absolutely true. You need to represent us all. If you quit now, it’ll be a blow for women everywhere.”
Davy laughed lightly. “Leave it to you to be dramatic.”
They reached the men with smiles on their faces. And Isla felt amazingly, surprisingly better. She hadn’t realized how much the conflict with Davy had been weighing her down. So she cut her eyes at Callum and set her hands on her hips. “We’re better now, you happy? But no more ambushes, big brother. The next time I see you and you’re surprising me, I don’t want to feel like I should have prepared for a therapy session. And bring Liddy, occasionally.”
Callum chuckled. “Actually, she’s back at the hotel. And once you and Aiden are done picnicking on the Seine, if you all want to join us for dinner, she’s dying to see you. You too, Davy.”
Isla sidled up to Aiden. “What do you think?”
“I think that would be a fantastic way to spend our last evening here,” Aiden said, slipping his arm around her waist.
“Good. Because I have one more thing to surprise you with,” Callum said, crossing his arms.
Isla’s jaw dropped. “Is Liddy pregnant?”
Callum’s face colored. “Good God, no.” He choked on a laugh, then gave Isla a sharp look in the eye. “No. The surprise is that you’re fired, Isla.”
