Page 33 of High Stakes

“It wouldn’t hurt to see where it goes,” I add.

“I will,” she says, “Just at my own pace.”

I arch a brow, “I can see this going horribly wrong.” She’ll push him away and he’ll find someone else, then she’ll be heartbroken, and we’ll end up picking her up off the floor again. Although Jack tends to be better at that part than me.

“What about you and Aiden? Did he say anything about the voicemail?” I turn away slightly, feeling my cheeks blushing. “What?” she asks, suspiciously.

“He blamed it on Laurie.”

Aria rolls her eyes, “Of course he did.”

I shrug, “It seems like something she would do.”

“Regardless of who sent it, what was his excuse for being with her in the first place?”

“He didn’t give me one,” I say, “But wasn’t it you that said we’re not together, so I have no right to be pissed?”

“Don’t listen to me, I’m blagging life right now.”

“But something weird happened last night.” She eyes me, waiting for me to continue. “We slept in the same bed.”

Her eyes widen, “How come?”

“That’s the weird part, Ari. He kissed me mid argument before stomping out. Then he waited until I was asleepand carried me into his bed. When I asked him what he was playing at, he said he wanted to see how it felt to sleep beside me.”

“Oh,” she says with a thoughtful expression.

“And then he demanded I shower in his bathroom.”

“Oh,” she repeats, smirking. “And how did that go?”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “Well for him.”

She laughs, “Again?”

“I’m weak,” I wail. “I wanted to be mad with him. I even told him last night that we were no longer friends.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, Bells, but you’re giving the guy mixed signals.”

“I know,” I cry. “He just has this way of getting out of shit and worming his way into my good books.”

“The way I see it, you can just relax and enjoy whatever this is between you, or you can sit him down and talk about it. But something tells me he won’t like that option.”

“Yeah,” I agree, “He isn’t the talking kind.”

“Would it be so bad to just enjoy it then?”

“Whilst it lasts,” I add.

“Exactly.”

We’re closing up when Aiden arrives. “You don’t look like the type of guy to purchase a sweet treat,” remarks Aria as he leans casually in the doorway with his eyes fixed on me.

“Depends how it’s served,” he says with a smirk.

Aria rolls her eyes, “Let me guess, you’re a whipped cream fan?”

He smiles wider, “Too messy, I prefer to eat straight from the source.”