Page 63 of High Stakes
He smirks, “My reasons are valid.”
I roll my eyes, and he laughs harder, leaving. It’s the eighth date he’s been on this month alone, and they never get past the second date because Cal is too fussy.
Aria arrives ten minutes after Cal leaves. She’s looking hot in a black jumpsuit that clings to her ample chest. When I eye her suspiciously, she shrugs, “I might meet Mr. Right tonight.”
“Is JP coming then?” I tease, because we both know he’s her Mr. Right.
She narrows her eyes. “Haha, very funny.”
We choose a quiet wine bar. The sort with low lighting and a solo singer setting a somber mood. Aria gets us both a glass of wine, only mine is non-alcohol, and I stare at hers longingly.
“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room,” she begins.
I groan dramatically. “Let’s not. I have no idea what I’m going to do, and you badgering me about it, isn’t helping.”
“I’m not badgering,” she replies innocently. “I’m simply helping you come to a decision.”
I roll my eyes, “Next you’ll be telling me to tell Aiden.” She gives me a look that tells me that’s exactly what she was thinking. “Oh, fuckoff, Aria,” I cry. “He shit himself when I mentioned a relationship. I guarantee the last thing Aiden Tremos wants, is a baby.”
“But if you decide to keep it, you’ll tell him, right?”
“Why do you suddenly care about Aiden?” I demand.
“I don’t. But he does have rights and if you don’t tell him, and he finds out . . .” She trails off.
“I don’t owe him anything. I certainly don’t plan on tying myself to him forever.”
“So you’re not keeping the baby?”
I sigh heavily, “No . . . yes, no. I don’t bloody know, Aria. But if I keep it, Aiden can’t know.”
“You’re right,” she says, holding her hands up in submission. “He doesn’t deserve to know. I’m sorry.”
I smile, “Let’s not talk about Aiden Tremos tonight. I don’t want to think about it. We’re celebrating right?”
She taps her glass against mine. “Yes we are.”
After an hour of shop talk, we meet up with some of our friends at the Cabana Club. Aria immediately wanders off to scope the talent, and I head for the bar. It’s busy and no fun when you’re the only sober one, but I promised Cal I’d try and relax, so I order shots for everyone else, and grab a lemonade for myself.
Jake takes his gratefully as I place the tray on the table. Aria rushes up behind me, gripping my arm. “Aria, JP is here,” she hisses.
My stomach tightens and my heart beats wildly. I find myself scanning the area for Aiden. “Who’s he with?”
She shrugs, “I have no idea, I ran the second I saw him. Do you want to leave?”
Cal‘s words play through my mind and I give my head a shake. “No. I’m done running.”
“Who we running from?” I turn at the sound of Cal’s voice and smile with relief. He pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me. “Why do you look so sad?”
“Aria saw JP,” I mutter.
He tips my head back to look me in the eye. “It doesn’t mean Aiden’s here, and if he is, it will all be okay.”
I want to believe him, but a part of me is terrified. “This is because I banked the cheque,” I say, “Now he thinks he can just keep showing up in my life.”
“Maybe,” Cal agrees. “But it’s done now. You just have to ignore him until he gets the message.”
“It’ll get even more awkward when she starts showing,” hisses Aria and I elbow her in the side.