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As a journalist, he had contacts all over the world, and he should be able to quickly find out how to get in touch with this guy, but even if he did, would reaching out to him not make the whole thing worse?
He stopped pacing. If he remembered correctly, the reporter had used the word ‘urgent.’ What could be so urgent, unless…
With long strides, he walked to his room to get his laptop. Maybe there was something he could do to help Vivian after all.
Chapter Ten
It was lateafternoon on Tuesday before Vivian woke up. For a moment, she allowed herself the luxury of enjoying the precious few moments between sleep and waking up. Focusing on her breathing, she willed reality away.
All too soon, though, the sounds from outside penetrated her foggy brain. She sat up, swung her legs out of the bed. At that precise moment, the events of the day before crashed over her.
Aiden had kissed her. Her fingers touched her lips. She’d liked it. No, that was way too mundane a sentence to describe what the Irishman’s kisses did to her. She loved his kisses. But…
With a sigh, she pulled a sweatshirt on and her soft pants before she grabbed her phone and left her room. She shouldn’t have kissed him. She shouldn’t have let him kiss her. Besides the fact that he was leaving in a few days, she had her own life to sort out. Which reminded her of the freaking email she’d received.
Annie was baking up a storm. Her hair was up in a messy bun, she was covered in flour, but she was beaming. Smiling, Vivian hugged her sister. It was wonderful to see Annie living her dream.
“Look at you—all glowing and baking.”
“I love what I do!” Annie called out as she placed a croissant on a plate and handed it to Vivian. “Please tell me what you think. I’ve added more butter.”
Vivian put her phone down on the table and chuckled as she bit into the flaky deliciousness of the croissant. “You should warn your clients before they book a room here—make sure their arteries will be able to survive your cooking.”
“One should live a little. So, tell me, did you succeed in getting out of your mind and into your heart last night?”
“What do you mean? I was at the hospital most of the night.”
“Before and after that. I witnessed the kiss this morning.”
Vivian inhaled sharply. “Annie! You’re not supposed to look.”
Annie chuckled. “It was broad daylight, my dear sister; it was impossible not to look. I’m so happy for you.”
Vivian shook her head. “There is nothing to be happy about. Okay, we’ve… kissed, but he’s still leaving after the ball, and I’m still being chased by a reporter.”
Annie handed her a mug of coffee. “You look happy, though. For the first time since we arrived here, your eyes are actually bright and shining. You liked the kiss.”
Rolling her eyes, Vivian pulled out a chair and sat down. “Okay, I liked the kiss, but it was… just a kiss. I probably won’t see him again before he leaves.” As she spoke, she opened her phone. There were five missed calls and a message from James Webster, the reporter in Sacramento.
Her eyes skimmed over the messages. Shocked, she inhaled and reread the words a second time. By that time, her hands were trembling so much she had to put down her mug.
“Viv? What’s wrong? You’ve gone deathly pale. Sweetie, talk to me, please?” Annie brought her a glass of water and sat down next to her.
Vivian tried to talk, but shock had literally rendered her speechless. She opened the message and handed it to Annie. She felt sick. How could he do this to her after last night?
“Do I understand this correctly?” Annie was saying. “The reporter from Sacramento spoke to Aiden… No, Aiden spoke to him and gave him your number? Why would he do that?”
“What’s wrong?” Mitch’s voice.
Annie grabbed Mitch by the arm. “You won’t believe what Aiden did! I’ve obviously given him way too much credit; I could cheerily throttle him at this moment! Apparently, he’s contacted…”
Annie’s voice droned on, but Vivian got up, walked out of the kitchen, up the stairs to her room. She was hurting and so angry she was shaking. And to think she’d kissed the blasted man. With unsteady fingers, she dialed Aiden’s number.
*
Aiden woke upwith a start. His phone was ringing but as he put out his hand, it stopped. Vivian had tried to call him.
Quickly he sat up and called her back. Damn it, he hadn’t meant to fall asleep. He’d been on his way to Vivian to tell her about the conversation he’d had with James Webster this morning, when he’d realized she’d still be sleeping. He’d only meant to close his eyes for a moment, but look at the time—it was early evening already.
