Page 119 of High Stakes
I make us all some poached egg on fresh toasted bread, and we talk about the bakery and how well things are goingfor Aria. JP briefly discusses the bar and then Bella fills everyone in on what it’s like to be a parent, and even when she talks about the sleepless nights, she smiles. Secretly, I love that time the best. The second I hear Braiden wake, I get up and change his bottom before Bella feeds him. But the most special part of that, is how we sit in bed together and just talk. I hate it when he drifts back off to sleep and I have to go back to the spare room.
“Why don’t you go sit in the garden and catch up,” JP suggests. “Me and Aiden can watch the baby.”
We wait for them to leave before JP turns to me, “I’ve got an idea.”
“That’s never good.”
“Bella’s seen you’re a good dad, right?” I nod. “So now you need to show her you’re a good boyfriend.”
“That’s the problem,” I remind him, “I did too much damage there.”
“But you’ve changed. Show her.”
“How?”
“Put down roots here, so she knows you’re sticking around.”
“Like rent my own place?”
He nods, “Or buy. I mean, that screams settled.”
“Or it screams crazy. What if she doesn’t want me to stick around forever? It might scare her off. I have to play it cool, let her lead.”
“I saw her face, man, when she asked if I’d come back to drag you home, she was anxious.”
“She’s just had a baby and I’m here helping, she probably panicked at the thought of doing it alone.” Braiden begins to stir and I go over to the pushchair and lift him out. “I’ll talk to her, see what she’s thinking. But even if she doesn’t want to be with me, I’m still staying here, JP. I can’t leave my son.”
“You know the one person you really need on your side in this . . . Aria.” I scoff. “I’m serious, Aiden. Sort shit with her and that’s the way to Bella’s heart.
Aria eyes me suspiciously. “What are you doing here?”
It was JP’s idea for me to meet Aria in the local bar. I’d announced I was nipping out to get supplies, JP and Aria were meant to be going for a drink tonight, but he sent her ahead with the promise to catch up.
“I wanted to talk to you.”
She lowers into the chair opposite me, “You should make it quick, JP is on his way.”
“I know you hate me,” I begin and she arches a brow. “And I get it. You should hate me. I’ve been a complete wanker to Bella and I don’t deserve her time.”
“You got that right.”
“But, we have Braiden now. And so, I want to make things right.”
“What’s that got to do with me?”
“You’re Bella’s best friend. She loves you. It’s important we get along.”
“You didn’t care about that before?”
“I didn’t care about a lot of things before,” I admit. “I’m making the effort to change, Aria. I want to be good enough for her and Braiden. Your blessing means a lot to me.”
“So you want to get back with her?”
“I’d like to, if it’s what she wants.”
Aria sighs heavily, “She does.”
I sit straighter, “She said that?”