Page 61 of High Stakes

It all happens so fast. There’s movement and bustling. I hear Cal yelling and Aria is standing between them, but Aiden doesn’t take his eyes from me. Cal is shoving and pushing, Aria is getting caught in the middle. Aiden doesn’t react, his face stays calm, and his eyes are burning into me and in that moment, I feel like it’s just me and him.

Me, Aiden and our baby!

CHAPTER TWENTY

Bella

Seeing him standing there, in my shop, on my special day, is all too much. What is he thinking? He hasn’t contacted me at all, and he decides that this is the best day to do it.My grand opening.He looks well. The dark suit he wears fits snug, and his white shirt showcases his muscles perfectly, with his tattoos peeking out over the collar. His pure bulk makes him look intimidating; I don’t feel intimidated though. Just annoyed.

As usual, my friends are there to put a barrier between us. And despite Cal trying to shove him from the shop,Aiden isn’t budging. “This is her day; how dare you turn up and ruin it,” he yells.

My attention moves to a few of my customers who are huddled together, looking like they need an escape. I take a deep breath and march towards the scuffle. Cal notices and steps back. I give him a grateful smile then turn to Aiden. “This isn’t fair,” I mutter, avoiding eye contact. “Please leave.”

He stuffs his hands in his pockets, hanging his head in what I want to believe is shame, but I know Aiden doesn’t feel like the rest of us. “I just came to say congratulations and good luck.”

Aria scoffs, coming up behind me. “That’s what you came to say?” she shouts angrily. “Not, sorry for using her, or for being a complete, selfish twat?”

“Aria,” I hiss, glancing around, aware that everyone is listening.

“I tried to call, but the number didn’t connect,” he says, his bright blue eyes finally reaching mine. “I’ve been wanting to come and say it face to face,” he adds.

I hold up a hand and he stops speaking. “Just leave, Aiden. This day is too important for me.”

I turn away from him and offer my customers a reassuring smile. “Sorry about that, please stay and help yourselfto more cake. I’ll be right back with champagne.” And I rush into the back room, closing the door.

I take a few deep breaths, squeezing my eyes closed to stop myself from crying. I refuse to shed anymore tears over him. I’m moving forward and this is my new start. I groan, grabbing the pregnancy test from my pocket where I’d shoved it when I spotted Aiden. New start?Fat chance.

Aria knocks lightly on the door, and I let her in. “He’s gone,” she says with a sympathetic smile. “Are you okay?”

“No.”

“Shit, Bella. I really wanted it to be negative,” she whispers, taking it from me to stare at the little window. “Ten weeks,” she mutters, “That’s still early on.”

“A reminder of what he did to me,” I spit angrily, “Like a little ten-week anniversary gift.”

“Perhaps do a second test to make sure. You can get false positives,” she suggests hopefully.

“What are the chances when I’m having sickness and dizzy spells,” I mutter. “I was on the pill, how the hell does this happen on the first time when I’m on the pill?”

“Were you regular with it?”

I shrug miserably, “What with everything going on, I probably missed one or two. I was taking it for my periods, I didn’t even think about it as a precaution because I wasn’t having sex.”

“The fucker should have worn a condom,” says Aria, “He knew he was gonna have sex with you.”

I shrug, “It’s too late to play the blame game now. Anyway, I have a shop to run.”

I pop the cork on a bottle of champagne and begin to fill the plastic glasses I’d purchased for today. “I’ll figure this out later.”

Aiden

I knew she wouldn’t be pleased to see me, but I wasn’t prepared for the hurt in her eyes. It cut right through me. She’s never looked at me like that before, not even after she found out about the deal.

When I get home, Laurie is in the kitchen chopping vegetables. I frown, “What are you doing here, and how did you get in?”

She smiles, “Surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises,” I say firmly. “Seriously, how did you get in?”

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