Page 25 of One Time in Paris
Mason blanched. He’d always been the shyest and most nervous of the Camden brothers. “I didn’t mean?—”
“That she’s the devil incarnate? No, don’t worry, I already believe that myself.” Aiden released a guttural sigh. “No, we’re not back together. Though, I’ll admit, I considered it for all of five seconds—that’s how desperate I was. Felix suggested I just date her until the deal was done.”
Mason shook his head with disgust. “That bastard would suggest something like that.” He offered an encouraging smile. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad you’ve got a backbone. That you aren’t just another slimy, greed-driven, corporate arsehole willing to lie and cheat his way to get what he wants. You make Mum and Dad—and the rest of us—quite proud.”
Aiden shifted with discomfort. This sort of ebullient praise wasn’t something his family offered—or accepted—well.Not to mention that I don’t particularly feel like a man of deep integrity.
It wasn’t like he was beyond lying to Lola.Or forcing Isla to pretend to be in a relationship in a very public fashion in order for me to lie.
And every time he ran with Callum, he couldn’t help feeling like an enormous hypocrite. Isla had called him in a panic a few weeks earlier, just as he was leaving for a run, to beg him not to tell Callum about evenseeingeach other in Vegas.
He’d gone along with it, but one too many people—Lola included—knew that wasn’t true.
The whole situation felt like a bomb waiting to explode.
Turning his attention back to Mason, Aiden gave a stiff nod. “Happy to do my part.” Then he tried to get the conversation back on track. “Do you think you could give me an answer tomorrow morning?”
Mason nodded. “I appreciate the time to sleep on it. I have to admit, the whole idea is a bit intimidating. Especially the part where I’d have to handle business with Lola.”
Aiden smiled. “Glad to know you’re finally free to tell me what you really think of her.”
“What did you expect? You two were back and forth so many times we all got whiplash.”
“Women,” Aiden muttered. “Brilliant at making you feel like you’re in charge while they steer the whole ship into an?—”
His eyes froze on the envelope he’d just tossed in the bin. His fingers twitched.The logo on the envelope?—
The Little Chapel of Instalove. In Las Vegas.
Wait.
Wait.
No.
A cold fear slicked through his spine.
No bloody way.
“What is it?” Mason stepped closer, leaning toward Aiden’s desk. “You look as though you’ve just seen a ghost.”
Fuck.
What the hell is in that envelope?
Mason followed the direction of his gaze and reached over, snatching the envelope from the bin.
Aiden lunged for the envelope, which Mason held to his chest, out of Aiden’s reach. “Just a bit of rubbish.”
Mason frowned at him suspiciously. “What sort of rubbish?”
His heart rate accelerated. “Nothing to worry about.”
Mason cocked his chin, no longer an employee but instead an annoying younger brother. “Then let me see it—if it’s just rubbish.The Little Chapel of Instalove.How intriguing.”
“Mason Camden. Hand over that envelope right now,” Aiden demanded, voice coming out rough and hoarse. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
Mason held his eyes, then a slow smile spread on his face as he tore the seal with a sickening rip. He darted away, just asAiden dove for him—too late. Mason twisted away, tearing the envelope free. Paper ripped.Aiden’s arms caught Mason’s calves, and the two men landed on the floor of the office with a thud.
