Page 27 of One Time in Paris
“How does one get married by mistake? If there’s a joke here, I’m failing to see it. Callum won’t think it’s a joke. Neither will Mum or?—”
“Good God, do you ever shut up?” Aiden dug his fingertips into his eyes, trying to think. “You sound like Mum when she opens the paper to the weather report.”
Mason ignored him. “The fact that you’re not sleeping with Isla might make it worse. I’m not going to lie.”
Aiden shot a glare at him. “How could that possibly make it worse?”
“Because it means you likely had a one-night stand with someone we all care about. Callum will murder you for it. And, anyway, Isla isn’t a one-night-stand type of girl. She’s going to wind up hurt if she hasn’t been already.”
“Thanks, Mason. If I ever need a therapist with a law degree and a flair for melodrama, I’ll be sure to call.” Aiden shook his head with a scowl. “How do you know what Isla is or isn’t?”
How did it always come back to somehowhimhaving done this to her?
“A drunken wedding in Vegas? Because I’m assuming that’s what happened. You had to have slept with her at least then. And I hardly doubt Isla would justmarryyou if there hadn’t been something going on for much longer. So how long, Aiden? Maybe since Costa Rica? You two were awfully cozy a couple of years ago during Quinn and Elle’s wedding, come to think of it. Or maybe at their anniversary party last summer?”
“I had already started dating Lola last summer,” Aiden said dryly, unamused at Mason’s line of thinking. “But you know that.”
“What I know is that I’m unwilling to be your secret keeper on this. Not this. It’s too huge, too explosive. I don’t want to be guilty by association. When this blows up in your face—because Callum will find out about this—I don’t want anyone pointing fingers at me and saying that I knew.” Mason swallowed the rest of his whiskey. “Fix this. You’ve wronged Isla.”
“Isla signed it, too, Mason.”
“Still a flaming mess. Whether you both signed it or not, you’ve got to fix this—and tell Callum. Because if you don’t, I will.”
Mason started for the door.
“Mason, please.” Aiden sucked in a shallow breath. “I’m attempting to fix this. I have every intention of fixing it. But I need time. Please don’t go running off to Callum and making this worse. Isla wouldn’t want Callum to know any more than I do.”
Mason paused by the door, hand on the doorknob. “How much time do you need?”
Aiden’s jaw clenched. The show Isla’s friend had put together was set to start shooting next week. He’d largely been ignoring the emails about the whole thing, though Davy dutifully included him on everything.
But this was the sort of conversation he needed to have with Isla in person. If he met her in the US, he might even be able to file something there to start the annulment process more quickly. He could meet her at the location where they’d be filming, explain the situation, and they could come up with a solution together.
“A handful of weeks,” he answered Mason at last. “At least to get the process started for annulment. Then Isla and I can also discuss the best way to tell Callum.”
Mason nodded curtly. “Fine. But I’m warning you, Aiden, if you don’t make this right with her on your own, I’ll make sure you’re forced to.”
He had to admire Mason’s loyalty to the Scotts.
Yet, I’m one of Callum’s best friends.The thought only brought a fresh wave of shame.
When his younger brother left, Aiden made a beeline for the personal safe he kept behind a painting on the wall. Moving the frame to the side, he punched the code, then pressed his thumb and forefinger to the fingerprint scanner. The safe unlocked with a beep.
He shoved the loathsome marriage license inside and slammed the safe shut.
If only he could hide away from his problems so easily.
Digging his mobile out of his pocket, he scrolled through his email until he found Davy’s email with the production schedule.
He dialed Louise, who picked up right away. “I’ve already left, you know.”
“Yes, I know, but I need you to get me airline tickets. Immediately.”
“For when and where?”
“Next week. I’ll need hotel and a car, too. I have no idea which airport, but I’m heading to Paris, Texas.”
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