High Stakes (A Deal With The Devil)

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Bella

It’s Aria’s last day and I’ll be sad to see them both leave. But they’ve been here a week already and they have to get back to the businesses. I wish I could bring my London life to here, because I miss them so much.

“You have to look perfect,” Aria says, brining me back into the room.

“Huh?”

“For lunch today, you have to look perfect.”

I frown, “Why? I don’t think Bob and Sheila will care what I look like.” The local bar owners aren’t really fussy about attire when the place is always full with the farm lads.

“Because it’s my last day and I want it to be amazing.” She holds up a white summer dress and I narrow my eyes.

“It’s just the local.”

“Please,” she begs, “For me.”

I sigh. “Fine, whatever.”

“And I’m doing your makeup, no arguments.”

I groan dramatically. “I’ll stand out like a sore thumb.”

“When was the last time you bothered with makeup?” she asks.

I laugh, “I don’t even remember.”

“Exactly. Plus, I want some nice pictures of you, Aiden and the baby to take home.”

My frown deepens. “You want Aiden on the pictures?”

She gives a small shrug, “Well, he’s trying hard.”

I smirk. “Wow, Aria, are you warming to Aiden?”

“We’ve reached an understanding,” she says, pulling out her makeup bag. “I won’t kill him if he doesn’t hurt you.”

I scoff, “Fat chance of that happening, Ari, he’s not interested in me like that.”

“Say’s who?” she asks, dabbing foundation on my skin with a beauty blender.

“We both know Aiden, if he wanted to be with me, he’d have made it clear. ”

“Perhaps he’s doing things differently this time.”

“I don’t know,” I mutter. “I should speak to him about it, see how he feels. But it scares me.”

“Why?” she asks.

“I don’t want to remind him that he’s got a life back in London. I’m not ready for him to leave.”

“I thought he told you he’s staying wherever Braiden is.”

“How long can he do that realistically? His life is in London. His businesses. He fought so hard to keep that club, he isn’t going to let it go.”

“The club practically runs itself,” she says, shrugging. “Besides, he can hire a manager. And he can’t parent Braiden whilst being back in London. That’s not practical.”

“Shared parenting is a thing,” I tell her. “I looked online. He could have Braiden in the holidays.” I sigh heavily. “Although I hate that thought.”

“You could just tell him how you really feel.”

I shake my head. “No way. If Aiden wants to be with me, he’s got to come to me. I can’t put myself out there again.”

“Let’s go for lunch and then I can watch the baby and you two can talk.”

Half an hour later, I stare at my reflection. “Wow, I look . . . pretty,” I say.

Aria grins beside me. “Stunning,” she agrees .

“It’s a little much for lunch.”

“Nonsense. You just had a baby; you deserve to feel nice. And, I had a message from JP, Braiden took the bottle no problem.” It’s our second attempt at offering Braiden breast milk from a bottle, I wanted to give Aiden a chance to help with feeds.

“Those two were acting odd this morning,” I comment, “Don’t you think?”

“They’re always up to something,” she mutters, grabbing my hand. “Now, let’s head over and meet them for lunch.”

We step out into the sunshine, and as I turn to head up the path, my step falters at the sight of Aiden standing in the gateway. He’s dressed in a suit, which confuses me momentarily, although before I can question it, he pulls out a bouquet of flowers. My frown deepens as I head towards him, gently encouraged by Aria who offers me a reassuring smile.

I take the flowers and he kisses me on the cheek and offers me his arm to hold. I take it, smiling. “What’s going on?”

“All in good time,” he says, and I can see the mischief in his expression.

“You’re up to something.”

“I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. ”

My heart rate picks up with excitement. “Now I know you love the cottage, it’s perfect. So I approached the owner, Mr. Limes. And guess what, he agreed to sell it to me.”

I gasp, “You didn’t bully him, did you?”

He laughs, “No. I simply asked, and he practically bit my hand off. Apparently, he didn’t have a clue how to sell up and I offered well over the asking price.” We begin to walk slowly towards the village. “And because I’m still on probation, it’s all in your name.” He smirks, “Now, I know that doesn’t hold much weight given my past behaviour, but I have all the paperwork, all the legal stuff, and it’s completely yours. But, if I prove myself to you, I hope we can eventually own a place together.” I’m lost for words and when I look behind to see where Aria is, she’s nowhere to be found. “I sorted things with Aria,” he adds, noticing my confusion. “We’re all good.”

“I thought it was odd when she was so reasonable earlier. Usually when I mention you, she gives me an eyeroll.”

He laughs, “I’ve still got to prove myself to her, but these last few days, we’ve been working together, and I don’t want to tempt fate, but so far, I think I’m winning.” He stops, turning to face me and taking both my hands. “I know how much Aria means to you, so I know I have to show her how much I love you too.”

I bite my lower lip, trying to stop the smile that’s taking over my face. “You love me?”

He grins, “More than life itself.”

“Did you know that the owners of The Dog and Sheep are retiring?” He takes me gently by the shoulders and turns me so I’m facing the local.

“I did not know that,” I confirm, unable to stop the smile now. “But you seem to know so much about the locals.”

“We got chatting and I mentioned I run a very impressive bar myself.”

“And what did they say?”

He wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my shoulder. “They said if I was to stick around, they’d be happy to take the asking price. They wanted to sell to someone they trust.”

I gasp again, turning in his arms. “Are you serious?”

“It’s an investment for Braiden, and a place I can hang out if you’ll let me stay.”

“You want to stay?” He nods and I cup his cheeks. “I’ve been wanting to ask for so long but I was scared you’d tell me you were leaving.”

“I love you, Bella. I fucked up so many times and I hate myself for letting you down time and time again. I’m sorry. So fucking sorry. But, if you’ll have me, I’d like to make things up to you.”

“Aiden, you’ve been great since you came here. I don’t know how I’d have gotten by. But it’s not just your help with Braiden that’s been nice, but the fact we talk, and we watch movies together. I love the routine of our night feeds and how we sit and chat utter bollocks until he goes back to sleep.”

Relief washes over his expression. “Thank God, cos I feel the exact same. It kills me leaving your bedroom when he goes back to sleep. I just want to be with you all the time.”

“Me too,” I cry, laughing whilst my eyes glisten with happy tears.

He takes a breath, “Okay, so this next bit is going to either send you crazy with happiness or I’m gonna undo everything I just did.”

I brace myself as he takes my shoulders again, this time turning me towards the church where all of my friends are standing dressed nice and smiling back at me. I slam my hands over my mouth, “oh my god, what are they all doing here?” I whisper. I turn back to Aiden, to find him on one knee. My eyes widen. “Oh my god,” I repeat.

He smiles, opening a box and presenting me with a ring that glistens in the sun. “I know we’ve got a long way to go and me just saying the words isn’t enough. I hope that in time, you’ll learn to trust me completely, because Bella, you’re it for me. Jake was right, we’re the perfect match. It took me too long to see that, and I don’t want to waste another second of our lives apart.” He takes a breath, and I dab away the tears that are slipping down my cheeks. “From changing dirty nappies, to sleepless nights, to walks in the village and watching you plant flowers. You’re it. I am in love with you Bella. And I would be honoured if you’d marry me.”

I nod, my hands shaking badly as I hold my left hand towards him. “Yes,” I whisper.

He grins, standing and wrapping me in his arms, spinning me round. “She said yes,” he yells and our friends whoop in delight. He steps back and places the diamond ring on my finger. “The church is booked,” he tells me, giving me an unsure look.

“For now?” I cry, my mouth falling open in shock.

He nods. “I didn’t want to risk you changing your mind.”

“We’re getting married . . . now?”

“If you’ll agree.”

“Weddings take months to plan, years even.”

Aria rushes over, “Stop overthinking,” she demands, turning me to her and straightening my hair. “Everyone is going inside, and Aiden is going to be at the altar,” she glances at him, “Go.” He places a kiss on my head and rushes off. Aria turns back to me. “I took care of everything, and I think I’ve given you the perfect wedding. But you have to change. Josey has your actual dress in the pub,” she says, grabbing my hand and dragging me off.

“I’m so overwhelmed,” I mutter.

“You’re so in love,” she says over her shoulder. “So why wait.”

We get into the pub that’s completely empty now everyone is at the church. It’s been decorated with cream and silver balloons. “This is your reception,” Aria explains with a laugh. “And that . . .” she points to the dress hanging up. “Is your dress.”

“Oh my god, it’s perfect,” I whisper.

“I paid attention when you talked about your perfect wedding,” she says with a smile.