Page 109 of High Stakes
So, when we arrive at exactly eight o clock, and we’re shown to our table, I’m more than shocked to see that Aria isn’t with another man, like I expected. Instead, she’s sitting opposite Bella.
“Oh shit,” mutters JP, glancing at me.
“Well this backfired,” I hiss as the waiter pulls out our seats.
Aria glances our way, doing a double take before glaring angrily at JP. He shifts uncomfortably in his chair, taking the offered menu. Once the waiter has left, she leans closer, “What the hell are you doing here?”
JP squares his shoulders, ready for battle. “I’m having dinner with Aiden, what does it look like?”
I risk a quick glance at Bella over my menu. She looks great, glowing in fact. But she refuses to look in my direction, instead, fixing her eyes to her own menu.
“You’re spying on me,” Aria accuses.
JP scoffs, rolling his eyes. “As if.”
“I’m not stupid, JP,” she snaps.
“He was worried when you were behaving suspiciously,” I cut in. “I booked this table to cheer him up.”
She narrows her eyes, “Since when have you ever bothered about anyone but yourself?”
I fain hurt, placing my hand over my chest. “How were we supposed to know you’d be here?”
“Maybe we should all just calm down,” Bella cuts in, glancing around. “People are looking at us.”
“This isn’t over,” Aria snaps, turning back to her menu.
I pull out my mobile, hoping to text Jenifer to cancel, but as I pull up her name, I see her entering the restaurant.JP’s eyes widen and he leans across the table, “You invited Jenifer?” he whisper hisses.
“I didn’t know Bella would be here,” I mutter.
I stand, smiling as Jenifer approaches and kiss her on the cheek. “You look amazing,” I say, pulling out the seat beside me.
She spots Aria and smiles, “Aria,” she greets, “You didn’t say you were coming here tonight.”
“Yes,” she says stiffly, “There was a good reason for that. Jen meet Bella.”
Jen glances at me, her eyes filled with panic. I offer a reassuring smile as she sits down. “Hi.”
Bella looks up, “Hi, Jenifer, nice to finally meet you. How are you finding the job?”
“Oh my god, I love it,” she gushes, suddenly relaxing. “It’s my dream job.”
I lean back, trying to focus on my menu as my current girlfriend, and my ex, chat like they’re best friends.
The waiter returns and notices the conversation across the two tables. “Would you like to join? We can move the tables together,” he suggests.
I’m already shaking my head in protest but JP grins, “Yeah, great idea,” he says, standing so the waiter can drag the table across. Jen slides into the booth, sitting right next to Bella, and I tag onto the end.
“Bella, tell Jen about the doctor,” Aria suggests, her smug smile aimed in my direction.
Bella blushes, “I got the phone call about my dad before anything could happen.”
“Your dad?” I ask, changing the subject cos I don’t want to know about the fucking doctor.
Bella smiles sadly, “He’s not well. He’s the reason I’m back here.”
“Sorry to hear that, I didn’t realise,” I mutter, frowning.