Page 72 of Chasing a Highland Dream

Aiden’s grin became sinister. ‘Funny how she wasn’t in the least bit attracted to you a few days ago. In fact, she seemed pretty incredulous at the suggestion you might have a thing for her. Seemed quite disgusted from my memory. You had a chance of something with me and you ditch that for a boring copper, Bella, really? Don’t look so shocked, that’s what you thought about him until yesterday.’

Bella gasped. ‘I never said⁠—’

‘But now your granny’s in hospital and you’re lonely and sad, he’ll do, is that it? What’s the female equivalent of any port in a storm?’

‘Aiden! There’s no need for that!’ Bella exclaimed.

‘Away an’ boil your heid, Aiden,’ Harris growled. Aiden slammed his door and Harris turned back to Bella. ‘See you later,’ he said. She could have sworn she saw hurt in his eyes and when he walked away without kissing her again, her stomach knotted.

Had Aiden ruined everything out of jealousy?

32

‘Oh, my word, Bells, you’re in love with him!’ Olivia said with an excited bounce in the seat of her car as they travelled the lanes towards the city hospital. ‘I knew you had feelings for him. You forget how well I know you. It was obvious to me but you’re so bloody stubborn you wouldn’t admit it. And I think it’s because you’d have to admit your granny had set you up.’ She giggled.

Images of Harris played through Bella’s mind as she stared blankly out of the passenger window. ‘I didn’t think he was my type, that’s all. Although I’m not entirely sure I even have a type when you consider how different Kerr, Aiden and Harris are.’ She turned in her seat to look at Olivia. ‘But it really did hit me like a ton of bricks last night. It sounds so farfetched. But it feels right. Like it was meant to be.’

‘And he stayed over to look after you. How sweet is that?’

Bella felt a flush of heat rise from her chest as she remembered the feeling of his body next to hers. ‘I know. I felt awful for giving him mixed messages, but my head was so messed up with what had happened I couldn’t sleep with him feeling like that. But I definitely wanted to.’ She placed her hand over her heart and felt it racing. ‘Then it all fell apart this morning.’

‘How come?’ Olivia asked without taking her eyes from the road.

‘Because as he was leaving, we saw Aiden.’

Olivia’s eyes widened and she gasped. ‘Oh no! I bet that didn’t go down well. How did he take it?’

‘He was awful, Liv. Although I don’t suppose I can blame him. But he was very unkind. And the awful thing is he told Harris I had been disgusted at the thought of being with him until I was lonely, which is a complete lie.’

‘The rat bag!’

‘Yes, and what makes it worse is I think Harris may have believed him. He left quickly and I haven’t heard from him since.’

‘You could message him, Bells.’

Bella sighed. ‘I don’t want to be one of those needy women who does that whole “I miss you already” thing when I only saw him a couple of hours ago.’

‘But it would ease your mind. And anyway, I’m sure after the night you shared and the conversation you had, Harris won’t have any reason to believe Aiden.’

‘No, but the other problem is Aiden has to work with Harris on the whole consultation for his book thing. It’s going to be very uncomfortable for both of them. I feel like such a harlot.’

Olivia smiled. ‘You didn’t have sex with either of them. You’re definitely no such thing. Try not to worry.’

‘He said he was going to come over after his shift, so I’ll talk to him and make sure he knows Aiden was lying.’

‘Absolutely.’

Isla was propped up in bed when they arrived but the bruising on her face looked slightly worse. ‘Ah, my girls. It’s lovely to see you!’

‘Isla, you’re looking much better than I expected. It’s a good thing you’re a tough cookie,’ Olivia said as she kissed her cheek.

‘Och, I’m not too bad. Bored oot ma heid, though.’

‘I brought you some romance novels from the supermarket so they should keep you going for a wee while,’ Bella told her as she handed the books over.

‘Ooh, these look good,’ Isla said as she glanced over the pretty covers featuring couples. She seemed intrigued by one with a blue cover featuring a woman standing on a beach with a dog. ‘Ooh, this one’s about the Isle of Skye. I do love Skye. It’s such a beautiful place. I’ve fond memories of visiting with your grandpa Caelan. We almost moved there at one time,’ she said with a sad smile. ‘Maeve’s moving away to Skye, you know,’ she said with glassiness to her eyes. ‘I’m going to miss her. She’s my only real friend.’

Dammit, I didn’t read the title of the book. ‘I know, Granny, but I’ll take you to visit her, don’t worry.’