32. Aiden
AIDEN
LONDON, ENGLAND
The champagne bottle popped, and Aiden looked around the crowded boardroom at the smiling faces. He should feel happy. Proud even.
But the celebration just felt...empty.
He’d sat through enervating meetings Tuesday through Thursday, then caught an early-morning flight to London today—in time for Callum and Liddy’s party tomorrow.
Days of bone-numbing weariness that had allowed him to close the deal with Ipolymer.
“To Aiden,” James Swale, the chair of the board, said, raising his champagne glass.
The group in the boardroom toasted him and he gave a thin-lipped smile, avoiding most of the smiles and gazes directed at him. Mason was noticeably absent from the meeting—not that he was required to be here. But he should have been.
And not just because he oversaw a department.
But because he’d worked hard on this, too. Aiden had put him up to the task, Mason had gotten them over the toughest part, and then Aiden had closed the deal.
Without Mason, he might not even be here.
Aiden downed the champagne swiftly as the crowd in the room turned to relaxed mingling rather than a formal meeting. Within a few minutes, Aiden had let himself out of the room and headed toward his own office. All he wanted to do was go back to his house, call Isla, and crawl in bed.
“Aiden,” Liddy called, following him.
Dammit. As much as he loved Liddy, he didn’t really want to face her right now.
He turned and forced a smile he didn’t feel. “You caught me,” he joked. “I was hoping to escape without notice.”
“Yeah, not likely. You’re head of the company, so people notice when you’re gone.
” Liddy grinned. Funny how much she looked like Elle right now.
She’d lightened her hair color recently—which always seemed to be what distinguished the two the most. Their faces were like two different versions of the same flower.
“Is there something you needed?” he asked. “I’m looking forward to the party in a couple of days.”
“No, well, sort of. I was hoping you might be able to take Callum out tomorrow for brunch, before the party. I know it sounds like a ridiculous favor, but he’s been so stressed.
I wouldn’t normally go behind his back, but I think he’s struggling with depression.
He hasn’t quite found his footing since he stopped working here.
But between buying new investment properties and the fact that his parents are both going to be in the same room together this weekend—his dad got into town today, his mom arrived yesterday—plus all the drama with Isla, I think he could just use some time out with the guys. Grab a drink or something.”
A lump formed in Aiden’s throat. “You all don’t have family get-togethers planned for tomorrow morning? I’m surprised.”
“Ha—no. I was lucky that I could get Callum to agree to a post-elopement party. He was happy with the wedding just being us. You know how he is with his parents. But Quinn and Elle arrived yesterday, and I’m going out with our sisters for manis and makeup.
Maybe you can plan something with the guys? ”
“Leave it to me,” Aiden said with a nod. Then because he couldn’t help himself, he added, “There hasn’t been more drama with Isla, has there?”
Liddy sighed, then nodded. “Yeah, and don’t pretend you don’t know about it. You can drop the act. Callum is fine with it now, though it took a few of us talking him down about it all.”
Aiden froze, staring at her.
They know?
Why in the hell didn’t Isla tell me?
Then again—he’d barely talked to her the past few days. He’d worked, swallowed some coffee, tea, and sandwiches, and slept. If the company jet hadn’t been equipped with a shower, he would have raced for the one in his office upon arrival—not that he would have had time for it.
But still...
“And Callum’s fine with it?” Aiden asked, voice strangled.
“Yeah, but like I said, I think it would help if you took him out.”
Aiden ran a hand through his hair, relaxing slightly. “I thought he’d murder me, if I’m honest. I’m shocked Isla told you. We wanted to tell you together, especially because Callum has always been so protective of her and who she dates.”
Liddy’s brow furrowed with confusion. Then she inhaled a sharp gasp, her eyes growing wide. “Oh my God, are you and Isla dating?”
Fuck. A thousand miserable fucks. Aiden, you absolute wanker. How could you be so idiotic?
Redness crept up Liddy’s neck as she continued to stare at him, disbelief and anger clouding her gaze. “My God, you are! Oh my God, Aiden. I knew it! I knew you two were sleeping together. I could tell from the phone call that you were both hiding something. And then you lied. Both of you.”
“Liddy, I’m so sorry,” Aiden said, reaching for her forearm.
She stepped out of his grasp. “You know, I don’t even care that you’re dating. Like, good for you. I love both of you, and I think you could make a fabulous couple, but why in the hell did you lie to us about it?”
“Christ, Liddy, I’m sorry. This whole thing has me absolutely gutted. But think about it. You’ve been there. You know what it’s like to get involved with someone who might rock the boat and?—”
“Don’t you dare bring my personal history into this,” Liddy said, crossing her arms. “This is not the same thing.”
“But isn’t it? Didn’t you fall in love with Callum while lying to Elle and Quinn?”
Liddy’s lips pursed, and she looked away.
God, if I lose this battle with Liddy, what hope do I have with Callum?
Isla is going to kill me before Callum gets a chance.
Then Liddy’s expression suddenly softened, and she peered at Aiden. “Wait, are you saying you’re in love with Isla?”
Aiden glanced around the hall, suddenly more aware than ever that they weren’t entirely in a private space. It was after work hours and most of the people left were in the boardroom, but this wasn’t just a casual conversation. He nodded. “Yes. I love her.”
Liddy frowned. “When did you guys get together?”
This isn’t going to sound good.
“Officially? A couple of weeks ago.”
Liddy threw her hands up in the air and started to walk away. Then she turned and came back, jabbing a finger at him. “You’re not in love. You’re in lust. You’re in those first glorious weeks of a relationship when the other person can do no wrong.”
“I am in lust, absolutely. Not that I could ever admit that to Callum. But I also love her. I didn’t just meet her two weeks ago, Liddy. I’ve spent a lifetime getting to know her.”
He stepped closer. “She’s smart. Quirky.
Hilarious. You think Isla is a force to be reckoned with now?
Try Isla at five, trying to keep up with all of us playing rugby.
Or better yet, at ten, jamming herself into the sitting room sofa to play video games or watch horror movies that would give her nightmares all night—just to prove she was tough enough.
I don’t just know that her favorite color is pink, I know that it’s because her grandmother died of breast cancer and that’s why she often dyes her hair like that—to remember her. I held her hand at the funeral.”
And maybe I didn’t realize the way her tears back then broke me, but they did. God, the way she cried hurt my heart so much.
Taking a deep breath, he went on. “I know her favorite animals are tigers because she thinks they’re her so-called spirit animal —except she would never use that term because she doesn’t love it—and I know she can’t decide if she’s Costa Rican, or American, or English but swears perfectly three ways now. ”
His voice grew softer. “And she didn’t have to tell me those things.
I just knew them. I won’t pretend I spent a lifetime pining after her because that’s not what I’m saying.
But maybe I never understood what I felt for her until I really saw her for the woman that she is.
Not a sister I never had. Not my friend’s sister.
But a beautiful, spectacular woman whom I love. ”
Liddy looked away from him, her body rigid. Tears welled in her eyes, then she nodded. “You do love her.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “I’m happy for you, Aiden, but I hate that you both lied to me—to us—about this. That I don’t understand. And you can’t expect me to lie to Callum about this.”
“I’m not expecting you to. Maybe just to give us a chance to tell him? Together? I just got back today and haven’t even seen Isla, so we’ll tell him tomorrow.”
Liddy rubbed her eyes. “I won’t make any promises, Aiden. If it comes up, I’m not lying to him. He deserves better than that from me. Please don’t cause drama at the only wedding celebration we’re having with our friends and family.”
That was fair. Liddy deserved a peaceful wedding celebration—not one filled with potential ugliness. He hated that she was worried about that at all. She didn’t need that stress.
Aiden nodded. “I can’t ask for anything more than that.”
She walked away before he could say anything else.
Damn. He’d never seen Liddy so angry.
Not that he blamed her.
Deciding to abandon his bag in his office, Aiden left. He didn’t want to be here another minute if he could avoid it. His bag would be here in the morning.
He called a car on his way to the lift—it would be there by the time he reached the building’s lobby. These were the perks that had made the job so appealing, at first. Instant command.
But he’d sworn he’d never become like his father.
Stiff. Detached. So busy working that he rarely made time for his family.
He couldn’t name a single hobby his father had maintained while he’d been growing up.
He was always just working. Not that he was as ruthless as other businessmen around him—which, thank goodness, he hadn’t been—but just wholly consumed by his work.
And now...with these lies to his closest friend, he felt as though he’d morphed into something else, too.
God knew enough people saw him as a callous, unfeeling arsehole.
His own brother had so little faith in him that when the time had come to choose between Callum and Aiden, he’d chosen Callum.
Mason, too.
It didn’t matter what he did. How hard he’d tried to recoup his reputation or the countless hours he spent working. They all still saw him the same way—the unredeemable black sheep.
And he was so damn tired of trying.
Within minutes, the car picked him up from in front of the building, and he was on his way home, crawling through the London traffic. He pulled out his mobile, dreading the thought of telling Isla what he’d done.
God, what if I lose her, too? She’d said she loved him, but she was also the one who wanted a commitment-free relationship. To figure it out as they went. The risk felt more enormous than ever now that he was facing reality.
Thumbs hovering over his mobile, he tapped out a message.
Aiden: Liddy knows about us. I fouled up and let it slip.
The “Read” message popped up almost immediately, followed by dots showing she was typing.
With each passing second, Aiden felt the pressure around his chest increasing.
At last, the mobile buzzed in his hand.
Isla: I’m on my way over.
Bollocks.
What did that mean? Was she angry?
She was staying with Liddy and Callum. What if Liddy had already told Callum?
By the time he arrived at the terraced house he’d bought when he’d first become head of the company, nausea gripped him thoroughly. He stepped out of the car, then waited on the pavement for Isla despite the light mist of rain that had started on the drive over.
At last, he saw her walking toward him, coming from the direction of Callum and Liddy’s.
Her eyes met his, and a slow smile spread across her lips.
Isla took off at a sprint toward him, closing the gap between them. When she reached him, she threw her arms around his neck, standing on her tiptoes as she lifted her face for him. “Hi, lover,” she whispered, breathless.
Aiden’s arms went tight around her waist. “You’re not angry? I thought maybe you’d come to have it out with me.”
“No, I came because I thought you might be having a full-blown freak-out. And I was right, wasn’t I?”
The pressure around his chest eased, and his lips met hers, the connection between them powerful and passionate, as though they’d been apart for months rather than a few days.
As though they weren’t standing in the middle of the footpath in front of his house, kissing in the rain, where anyone who passed could see.
Liddy, Callum— everyone else —could accuse him all they wanted.
He would never apologize for loving Isla.
He could only hope that Isla shared his determination...and could also see forever with him.