Page 41 of Vain (Tempest #2)

Chapter Forty

MATILDA

I fall in love with the town and its residents right away.

It feels like I’ve stepped into some kind of portal and all the assholes have disappeared.

People seem genuinely happy to see me and overjoyed at having Aiden home, even if it is only for a visit.

I’ve never had so many people offer to commit murder for me before.

If I weren’t so enchanted by everyone, I think I’d be freaked out.

Cora’s name has come up several times, whispered with scorn or flat out cursed.

I realize it has more to do with her hurting their prodigal son than me, but the woman made a serious error in judgment blasting us on TV.

I hope it was worth it for her because once a bridge is burned, there’s no way back.

“So what do you think of Tempest?” Aiden asks as I finish my bite of caramel apple.

“Honestly, I love it here. And it’s not because people don’t know me. Obviously. We’ve been stopped a million times. But here I don’t feel like I’m swimming in a goldfish bowl. Here is like swimming in a huge tank where the other fish just don’t give a fuck.”

He laughs and points to the unoccupied bench. We weave around a couple of kids playing tag and sit down.

“Everyone loves you. I’m glad you have that.”

“I think they’re half in love with you too.”

I roll my eyes but take another bite so I don’t have to answer.

“Hey guys, having fun?” I see Wade and a stunning woman beside him, a little girl between them holding their hands.

I swallow and stand up. “Hey, Wade, it’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too. Sorry to hear about all the shit you’re dealing with.”

“Wade,” hisses the woman. “Don’t bring shit up she’s probably trying to forget.”

“Woman, behave. You know I’m a straight shooter.”

“I’m gonna be shooting something in a damn minute. I’m so sorry, ignore my husband. He suffers from foot-in-mouth syndrome. I’m Olivia, Wade’s wife, and this little terror is our daughter, Mia.”

“Hi, Mia.” I wave at the girl hiding behind her dad’s leg. “It’s nice to meet you, Olivia.”

“Trust me, the pleasure’s all mine. I was so damn jealous when Wade said he got to meet you.”

I laugh and shake my head. “You were not missing much, trust me. It was a flying visit and we had to deal with Cora.”

She scowls. “That woman is a piece of work. I’m trying to convince Wade to arrest her.”

He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I can’t arrest her for going on a talk show.”

“So arrest her for being a lying ho.”

“What’s a ho?” Mia asks. Aiden cracks up beside me.

Wade turns and glares at his wife. “It’s something you use to dig up weeds with, pumpkin.”

“Oh. I want a ho, Daddy.”

I bite my lip to stop myself from laughing.

“We’d better get going. It takes us ten times longer to get ready with a kid in tow. See you guys at Blake’s,” Wade calls out, ushering his family along.

“Bye, Matilda. Bye, Aiden.”

“Oh, so you did see me then?” Aiden teases.

She waves him off. “She’s my idol. You’re just Aiden.”

With that, I do crack up, wiping tears from my face as Wade practically drags her away. “She’s a hoot.”

“She keeps Wade on his toes, for sure.”

“Hey, Aiden.”

He looks over as a pretty brunette approaches. “Laura.” He nods his head in greeting.

She looks at me and blushes before taking a deep breath.

“I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I’m a reporter.

I’m here today shooting pieces about the fair.

I’m not here for you.” She holds up her hands when she sees me tense.

“I just wanted to say that the talk show host should be ashamed of herself. And don’t get me started on your mother or Cora,” she practically spits her name.

“It pisses me off because a little investigative reporting would have shown both of them were full of shit. But of course, shows like that just care about the ratings.” She sighs.

“It ends up giving the rest of us a bad name, and that’s why I’m sorry. You deserved better.”

I study her. She looks like she’s about to puke with nerves, which makes me like her more. I look up at Aiden in question.

He answers the question I never vocalized, “She’s good people.”

I look at Laura and spot her cameraman behind her, but his camera is respectfully facing away from me.

“I don’t have much time.”

“Oh, of course, I didn’t mean to keep you.”

I shake my head at her. “How would you like an exclusive interview with me?” I look at Aiden. “You want in on it? No pressure, I just think it’s time I set the record straight.”

“You sure?”

I nod.

“Then, fuck yes, I’m in.”

“I’m sorry, what’s happening?” Laura asks, confused.

“Everyone has been vying for my side of the story and I’ve kept quiet until now. I’m willing to let you film both me and Aiden and I will give you the full exclusive story. Under one condition.”

She stares at me in shock. “You’re serious?”

“Aiden says you’re good people, and I trust him.”

“Holy crap. Yes, I’m interested, of course. What’s the condition?”

“Okay, make that two conditions. One, you don’t edit shit out to make us sound better or worse. I want this interview to be authentic and honest.”

“Done. What else?”

“I don’t want it aired until I fly back home. The media will swarm this place, looking for me, and this weekend is about Blake and Callie.”

She swallows. “Would it be weird if I told you I really like you?”

I chuckle, relaxing further. “Not at all. I think it will make the whole thing go a lot smoother.”

I look at Aiden. “Think Tom will mind if we film at the house? I want to do it somewhere private, and that way I can start getting ready when we’re done.”

He pulls out his cell phone. “Only one way to find out.”

I walk down the hallway just as Kellen pulls up. I hear Tom open the door for him and Aiden say something that makes him laugh.

I’m running slightly late, thanks to the interview, but Aiden has the patience of a saint.

I slip my earrings in and stand back to look in the mirror.

I take in my reflection and do a little twirl.

I opted for a deep burgundy tie-back maxi dress with a plunging V-neckline.

It has long, sheer sleeves with elastic cuffs that are dark enough to cover the scars underneath.

The mermaid-style skirt skims the top of my strappy sandals.

The dress is secured at my neck with three buttons and a wide sash is tied at the base of my back to keep everything in place while leaving the back completely open.

It’s a daring look for me, given how much I usually cover up.

But nothing is on show that I’m uncomfortable with, and I want to knock Aiden’s socks off.

My hair is in an elaborate updo, held in place with a million pins. A few curls frame my face, and as the dress is such a striking color, I’ve kept my makeup light.

“Hey, Tilly, you ready?” Aiden calls.

I take a deep breath and ensure I have my clutch with my phone and money before heading down to meet them.

Kellen spots me first, his mouth dropping open before he wolf whistles. “We have Hollywood royalty in the house tonight!” he calls out, making me blush.

Tom walks over, looking dapper in his suit, and kisses my cheek. “You look beautiful, sweetheart. My ride is here so I’ll meet you there. Make sure you save me a dance.”

“You got it.” I watch him leave before turning to find Aiden.

I freeze solid when I see him on one knee, with a ring box in his hand. “I planned to do this a million different ways, but you walked out here looking like an angel, and I can’t wait another second to make you mine. Matilda Carson, will you marry me?”

“Oh god, I’m gonna cry,” Kellen whispers. I walk slowly toward Aiden in shock before bending down and kissing him. “Is that a yes? Please say that’s a yes,” Kellen whispers.

“For the love of god, Kellen!” Aiden snaps.

“It’s a yes,” I choke out.

Aiden’s head whips back around. “You said yes?”

I nod, tears springing to my eyes. “I said yes.”

He’s off his feet and swinging me around moments later to Kellen whooping and hollering. He places me back on my feet and gently slides the ring onto my finger.

“It’s beautiful.” And it is. It’s a Primrose diamond with floral clusters that enhance the center gemstone.

“As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one.”

“I helped,” Kellen chimes in.

Aiden shakes his head as I laugh. “That’s where you disappeared to yesterday?”

“I did meet up with the guys and do everything I said. I just went ring shopping first.”

“Wow. I don’t even know what to say. I’m still in shock, I think.”

“Good shock, right?”

“The best.”

“I hate to break up the happy tidings, but we have another wedding to get to first. Move it or lose it, kids. Congratulations, sweetheart.” Kellen kisses my cheek before heading out to the car.

“We better go, too,” he says, sliding his hand around my waist to the small of my back. He freezes.

“Did you forget something?”

“Huh?”

He moves behind me to take in my dress and groans.

“Oh, that.” I grin.

“Holy fuck, she’s trying to kill me.”

“You like?”

“I love it, but not half as much as I love the woman wearing it.”

Kellen honks the horn, breaking the moment.

“I’m gonna kill him.”

I laugh. “Come on. We can celebrate later.”

With a quick kiss, he leads me out the door and helps me into the car before climbing in beside me.

I rest my head on Aiden’s shoulder as the world whizzes by. I marvel at how much my life has changed, not just in the past six months, but in the last few days.

“Are you happy with how the interview went?”

“Yeah. I’m glad I got to tell the truth. There will still be people out there who won’t believe me, and some who will hate me just for existing, but I’m tired of hiding while other people tell lies about me.”

“I get it. I don’t think I could have handled this whole thing as well as you did.”

“But you did,” I look up at him bemused.

“And we’re here,” Kellen announces, pulling into a driveway that’s already littered with cars.

“For fuck sake, Kellen, we could have walked.”