Love Me One More Time (Nick and Alaia) novel Chapter 84

Alaia

“Cedric proposed to me officially a little while ago and gave me this ring,” I explained as Ash and Tino stood there with their mouths open.

“We’ve been lied to this whole time!” Tino clutched his chest, looking utterly disappointed.

“It’s incredible that they kept us out of the loop,” Ash’s tone sounded accusatory.

“I’m sorry, love, but I haven’t forgotten that you tend to spill the beans around Tino, and you“-I pointed to my friend-“do you forget how you exposed me in front of the makeup artist this morning?”

Both of them gave me the *okay, you’re right, but I’m still offended* look.

“Well, this explains everything–the reason you two weren’t intimate, and you were supposedly a saint, waiting for Aly. But nope, you were sleeping with every woman you came across,” Tino pointed accusingly at Cedric.

“I would never see Alaia that way; she’s like a sister to me,” Cedric shook his head. “But I won’t deny the second part,” he admitted shamelessly, and Tino rolled his eyes.

“I always thought you were in love with Alaia. And let’s not forget how you treated Nick,” Ash said, looking confused.

“I love Alaia, like someone who’s part of my family. And I treated that idiot Nick the way he deserved. He hurt her, whether it was intentional or not–it was real for her–and I’ll always be on her side. If you mess with her, you mess with me,” Cedric looked at me. “Plus, it was kind of fun to mess with him and drive him crazy,” he shrugged.

“Of course, it was,” Ash said sarcastically.

“This feels like something out of a movie. You two joined forces to save the world! You’re a heroine, darling, and he’s a hero with a libido. I’m absolutely blown away, girl. This will be the news of the year; I can already imagine it,” Tino added, gesturing dramatically.

“That’s the least important thing right now,” I clarified. “Nick’s father’s life depends on this wedding, along with the lives of thousands of people we don’t even know,” I stated, and Cedric nodded thoughtfully.

“Wait, so if I understand correctly, one of the devices you’re developing with the… uh… cuckold” -Ash commented, and I gave her a reproachful look-“has been handed over to Nick’s father, and everything depends on your wedding,” my cousin summed up the main issue.

“That’s right,” I said after a deep sigh.

“But you can’t marry, Aly. The dreamboat-” Tino began to say.

“I know, darling. Our love has been through too much. Getting married would only complicate things, even if it’s not a real wedding.”

I took a deep breath, feeling a knot in my chest, and moved toward the windows. “But I don’t want to put Dominic at risk. Nick did everything to save him. I can’t do this to him.”

I stepped back, not finding who I was looking for, and sat heavily on the bed.

“I don’t even need to ask if you still love him. It’s obvious he’s won your heart back,” Cedric looked at me, and I nodded before closing my eyes.

“Damn,” Cedric muttered, rubbing his face and messing up his hair in the process.

“What are we going to do?” Tino rubbed his hands together, looking anxious.

“This mess has gotten way out of hand,” Ash stood up and began pacing.

“This stopped being fun. It was a deal between the two of us. You agreed to help me, not knowing Nick would show up. Now everything’s gotten complicated.”

“Good heavens, so… you’re going to have to get married?” Tino asked, worried.

A heavy silence filled the room, and I decided to speak what I had been feeling deep down. I couldn’t go through with this plan. I couldn’t do this to Nick. I couldn’t do this to us.

“You know I was willing to help you. You’ve been my lifeline for years. I couldn’t just leave you stranded, even though you brought this on yourself for being such an idiot. But we have to stop. We need to find another solution,” I said.

“I know. I can’t do this to you, Alaia, not when your feelings are involved. The crazy plan was perfect until today,” he said. I stood and took his hands.

I looked into Cedric’s eyes with all the affection I had for him, and he squeezed my hands in return.

“Damn it,” he muttered as he hugged me. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this.”

“I wanted to help,” I clarified. We were adults, even if he didn’t always act like it.

“I’ll take care of everything.”

“What?” I pulled back slightly to look at him.

“We just discussed this, Aly. We’re going to cancel the wedding,” he said, and I nodded. “I got myself into this mess, and I’ll get myself out. I’ll face the consequences.”

“We’ll be here for you,” I squeezed his hands.

“I’m sure you will be,” he nodded, looking at all of us.

“So, you’re gay?” Bart said, looking at Cedric, who stood between Ash and Tino.

I widened my eyes, taking a deep breath as I covered my mouth.

“Alaia.” I was distracted by Darius and two men who approached me.

“Did you find him?” I asked anxiously, momentarily forgetting everything else happening nearby.

“No,” he shook his head. “But we confirmed that he was here. One of my men followed his trail. They went to the airport, but he couldn’t catch him. The plane had just taken off. Nick flew back to Los Angeles.”

A sinking feeling settled in my stomach, and I rushed to the room where my children were.

“Where are you going?” my mother asked as she walked beside me.

“I have to go back to Los Angeles. I need to see Nick,” I explained without stopping.

“Nick? All of this is because of Nick?” she asked, her tone unreadable.

“Yes, Mom, and all I can tell you is that… I’ve never stopped loving him,” I said breathlessly. She looked shocked for a moment, but then helped me get changed and pack the kids‘ things.

We finished packing the suitcases just as Ash and Tino rushed in.

“We’re coming with you,” they said in unison.

“Cedric?” I asked, noticing he wasn’t with them.

“He’s handling everything. He said not to worry about him,” Ash reassured me, patting my shoulder.

I nodded, feeling bad for my friend.

I urged the driver to get us to the airport as fast as possible, and we boarded the flight. I hated that my children had to endure such long trips in such a short amount of time, but I needed to see Nick, needed to talk to him.

The anxiety began to take over. I wondered what I would say when I finally saw him.