Page 83 of One Time in Paris
Then again, hadn’t she told Aiden that she was tired of being treated like a secret? That they had nothing to hide or be ashamed of?
“Just hooking up with a billionaire?” Tomas said with a gleam in his eyes. “Sounds like you’re moving up in the world, Isla.”
The way he said it made her whole relationship with Aiden feel cheap. Dirty.
She shot him a sharp look. “What’s it to you, Tomas?”
“Nothing at all.” He lowered his sunglasses and shrugged. “I think it’s great. What does Callum think of it? They’re best friends, aren’t they? I remember you dragged me to the Camdens’ enormous estate for Boxing Day a few years ago.”
Dragged.She shook her head, irritated with his comment for more than one reason. “It’s none of his business. Or yours.” She stood and lifted the tray of food. With as much gracefulness as she could muster climbing over the bench, she moved away and found a nearby trash can. The contents of the tray slid into the trash with athunk,then she banged the tray on the pile on top of the trash can with more force than she’d intended.
Dammit.
She shouldn’t let Tomas get under her skin. He set her teeth on edge, though, and it didn’t help that she was already feeling insecure about this whole thing with Aiden. But then mentioning Callum was even worse because she still hadn’t worked up the nerve to tell him anything.
Instead, she’d been ignoring his phone calls. Barely responding to his texts.
Dreading that Quinn might tell him first—or someone else would—all while trying to figure out the best way to tell him that wouldn’t make him feel like he’d been the last person to find out.
Which, considering the number of people who knew now, he might end up being.
She’d asked Aiden to allow her to be the one to tell him, both because it would probably come better from her but also because she owed him the conversation. He was her brother. And shehatedthe fact that Aiden was already having issues with Quinn and Mason because of her. Of course, she was angrier with Quinn for punching Aiden and kicking him out, but that didn’t keep her from feeling like all of this was her fault.
Even Aiden hadn’t been sure if being with her was worth this trouble.
But she had pushed.
Isla fanned her burning face with her hand, then started away, heading down the sidewalk that framed the main square of Paris, Tennessee. The whole town screamedsmall townbut not in the way the other ones had. This one was bigger, with more boutiques and a larger population. Ironically, the Eiffel Tower here also seemed to reflect that. At seventy feet, it was larger than the other two had been and a true-to-scale replica.Kinda funny how the various Eiffel Towers all seemed to match the towns like that.
She was grateful for the larger square right now, though, because she needed some space.
Tomas, however, didn’t seem to get the hint. “Isla.” His voice rang out behind her.
She sighed, considering just walking faster—but they still had to work together. Act like a couple.Thanks, Callum.
Tomas jogged to catch up with her, and for a split second, she caught sight of the guy she’d had a thing for. His smile. His energy. And, of course, he was easy on the eyes.
Yet. ..nothing.She’d moved on so completely that the image was gone in a flash.
“Hey, I’m sorry,” Tomas said as he slowed and stopped in front of her.
She raised a brow. “About what?”
He crossed his arms, with a more serious look than she’d previously seen. “I clearly upset you, Isla. And don’t pretend I didn’t.” He leaned toward her. “I don’t know if you remember, but we once used to be friends and lovers. I know you a little.”
“Tomas—”
He straightened. “I didn’t come to try to reclaim you, if that’s what you’re worried about. Genuinely. Callum mentioned the project, and I thought,well, that’d be brilliant—seeing you again. Working with you was always fun, too. But I have to admit, you took me by surprise, Isla. You’re not quite the same girl I knew in London.”
I really don’t need Tomas, of all people, psychoanalyzing me.
She started back down the sidewalk again without waiting for him to follow. He did, though, as she’d suspected he might. “How’s that?” she asked, her voice dry and humorless.
“Well, it’s that, right there. You seem a bit muted. As though you’ve lost your spark. Still comes out from time to time. Like when you had a few drinks in you at that wine festival. Or when you look at Aiden Camden.”
She studied his profile, trying to make sense of what he’d said.
Lost her spark?
