Page 17 of One Time in Paris
8
AIDEN
The fountainsof the Bellagio were already dancing and swaying to the music, lights shimmering amid the sparkling waters on a day of perfect weather—everything insufferably cheery as though completely oblivious to ruined hopes and dreams. The conference had chosen March in Vegas for the weather, and Aiden had to appreciate the mildness of the day, even as sick as he still felt.
He straightened as he spotted Isla approaching with two of her friends—Davy, he remembered, but the other blond beside her was unfamiliar. And even though he’d known Isla all his life, he couldn’t help the tension that bunched in his shoulders at the sight of her. She and her friends all wore stern expressions.
Brilliant. He was about to be interrogated.
Maybe he should have expected Isla to call in the late morning like she had, but some part of him had hoped she wouldn’t. That they could just chalk this up to a drunken mistake, never to be discussed or repeated.
Of course, shehadcalled, though, and asked for a few minutes to talk to him in person. He couldn’t tell her no.
Rather than waiting for her to reach him, he left his perch and made his way down the footpath in front of the famous hotel. He’d suggested they meet here because the thought and smell of coffee or any other food or drink was completely intolerable right now. Plus, with this being outside, he could think a bit straighter, even with the synchronized music from the fountain show.
“Isla,” he said with a smile. “Good to see you again. You’re looking well.”
Actually, she looks a whole lot better than how I feel.Which, admittedly, was a low bar.
“The magic of rehydrating intravenously,” Isla said as she stopped in front of him.
Aiden swallowed. Of course she was managing to look effortlessly stunning while he felt like death on two legs.
He leaned to kiss her cheek as he might do if this was a normal day—but it wasn’t. Faltering, he straightened and nodded toward Davy. “Hello, Davy.”
“This is Megan,” Davy said, nodding toward the woman beside her. “She’s the bride we’re here celebrating. The lawyer I was telling you about last night.”
Aiden felt his brow furrow, just slightly.
A lawyer? Why had Davy emphasized her profession?He extended a hand toward the blond. “Aiden Camden. A pleasure.”
She shook his hand, her grip overly firm, and his mouth dried.
The hell?
“We’ll be right over here,” Megan said with a curt smile, gesturing a few paces away. “Watching the fountain show.”
Ugh...her voice absolutely held a warning note to it.
As Megan and Davy stepped a few meters away, Aiden crossed his arms, a defensive feeling growing like a vise around his ribs. “Intravenous hydration?” he asked as casually as possible. “Did you go to hospital?”
“Actually, yeah. I did. A clinic.” Isla hesitated, then bit her lip. “Not for the IV, though. That was already planned. But after everything that happened, I thought I should...you know ...check.”
“Clinic?” Aiden raised his brows, a growing feeling of discomfort rising like acid in his throat.
“I...wanted to have a clearer picture of what happened last night. Just in case.” Isla met his eyes for a moment. “But, um, they didn’t find any evidence of...anything, so I think we’re good.”
Anything?Her words choked him, and he stepped closer to her, a mixture of horror and anger bristling through him.
“Fuck.” The word barely made it past his lips, like something inside him had just cracked. His entire body revolted at the suggestion. “You actually thought I—” He couldn’t finish. He couldn’t even breathe.
“No, no. I mean.” Isla drew a deep, sharp breath. “I thought it was important to find out what I could. Look, it was already humiliating enough, Aiden, and I don’t really want to talk about it, but I thought it might be good for you to know.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, any anger he’d felt melting away intojusthorror.
“I would never hurt you, Isla.” His words were forceful. Hard, even. “You need to understand that.Never. Christ, you’re like my own sister.”
Then why had the memory of her skin against his been haunting his thoughts since sunrise?
