Lost in my thoughts, I go through the motions of splitting the food into bowls for us.
My mother always claims she is my biggest supporter, and I think this is the first time in my life that she wasn’t the first person calling to help me fix a problem. Still, I couldn’t seem to bring myself to tell her what Cam did and why I needed to leave. My whole family adores him. The last time my mom and I talked, she kept saying how I was letting go of “one of the good guys” and how I need to really think things through before I lose him for good.
Two days before I moved, she called me crying about how everything was changing because Cam turned down her invitation to family dinner. She hated the feeling of having to cut someone that she cares about out of her life because I don’t know “what I want.” So, I removed myself from the equation. I told them all, including Cam, not to change their lives or opinions on each other because of me and left without telling any of them what he did.
Mom and the boys were pissed when I told them I was leaving. They each tried to convince me to crash in their guest rooms or on their couch while Cam and I worked things out. As if a few days away would solve the problem. Hell, my mom even told me to send Cam to her house if I needed time away from him.
None of them would be okay with the fact that the main reason I called my dad and accepted his help was because I knew he could help give me the one thing I craved more than anything.
A fresh start.
The only two things he knows about my life is that Paige lives here, and that I have a job.
I don’t have to worry about him trying to get me to open up about this mess of a breakup, and I definitely don’t have to worry about him trying to convince me that I should take Cam back.
A small smile forms despite my distracted thoughts when I turn and find Paige dancing to the beat while mixing drinks. The tightness in my chest eases a bit as I silently appreciate my best friend before focusing on warming up dinner.
Two years ago, Paige accepted the position as the head of the editorial staff at SweetHearts Publishing Company and moved down to Tampa. My break-up was the motivator she needed to convince me to move down with her and submit my work. She offered her couch, but considering she lives with Sam, the editor who would be taking the lead on my book, I decided against it. That was when she suggested that I call my father.
I originally called to ask if he had any contacts for a decent place to live. Once he got past his initial shock that I was asking for help, he insisted I take the condo. He bought a house outside of Clearwater and forgot about the place.
Mom certainly would not be impressed if she knew that I gave into my dad’s offer for a free place to live without much of a fight.
As Paige pours our drinks, I inspect the condo again, wondering if I did the right thing. The place came fully furnished, which I’m grateful for considering the only things I took from Cam’s place were my clothes, a couple of pictures, and, of course, my books.
The thought of my little library in one of the guest bedrooms puts another smile on my face. My dad gave me free reign to do whatever I want with the place. If there was anything I didn’t want, I just needed to set it aside and he would send someone to clear it. So, in an attempt to stop wallowing and thinking about everything, I rearranged the separate space that sits offthe primary bedroom as an office for myself. After realizing how happy having my own workspace made me, I couldn’t stop myself from moving on to one of the other bedrooms and turning it into my own personal library.
After I cleared the bed out, I lined two of the walls with bookshelves. They aren’t full but that just means I can buy more.
I had texted my dad to let him know what I’d done, and true to his word, someone came around the same day to remove the furniture, leaving a giant, comfy round chair for the library. I’m pretty sure that was the first time he had gifted me something, and it left me feeling a bit off balance.
When I had called Paige to see if I was overthinking the chair, she reminded me that at this point, I’m living in his condo, rent free, while trying to figure my life out. Who the hell am I to turn down a chair that he probably had his assistant pick out anyway?
I shove my spiraling thoughts aside and focus back on Paige, who has yet to tell me exactly what her plans are for tonight.
“Are you going to fill me in on where we’re going?” I question as Paige takes a sip of her drink then rinses out the shaker she used before setting it in the sink. With her back to me, I immediately notice the way her back stiffens.
“Paige…” The fact that she’s hesitating to tell me her plans has a pit forming in my stomach. Sighing loudly, she turns to face me, her blue eyes pleading with me to hear her out.
“Okay, don’t be mad! Everyone at the office will be there and they always talk about how much fun it is and they keep trying to get me to go with them, but I don’t! Cause I would never want to upset you. But today Sam practically begged me to come with them, like he did those damn puppy dog eyes at me!” Paige stomps her foot like a child, causing me to giggle at the fact that Sam won her over so easily. The sound of my laugh pauses her tantrum, and she turns her pleading eyes back to me.
“I totally understand if, for once, you don’t listen to me and decide not to go out. But just know that I have this gut feeling that it would be a blast for both of us, regardless of where we would be.”
“Where the hell are you trying to take me?” The more she pleads her case, the more worried she makes me. She’s never once tried to talk me into going out, she usually just shows up, tells me what to wear and then drags me out the door. Which means wherever Sam convinced her to go tonight is somewhere she thinks would make me uncomfortable. Not many places do that to me.
Paige moves around my kitchen island and clasps her hands on my shoulders, forcing me to face her straight on. Before I can even say anything else, she’s rambling on.
“Lilly, you know our nights out are always a freaking blast, and I’ve never been wrong when following my gut feelings. Well, okay, maybe that time you left me in charge of picking a place to get sushi for movie night.Butthat was one time! This could honestly be fun, and since you’ve been kind of talking with your dad, I figured that maybe we could dip our toes in the water and see what all the fuss is about.”
The mention of my dad has me backing up a step while giving her a skeptical look.
“What does he have to do with a night out with your co-workers?”
She bites her bottom lip as she squares her shoulders, a stance I know means that she is prepared to do and say whatever it takes to get me to agree.
“We’re going to a watch party outside the arena.”
“Put those on.” Paige demands as she strolls down the small hall into the bathroom. I once again marvel at the size of the condo. The main bedroom on its own is almost the size of my last apartment. There’s a small hall that leads to the en-suite bathroom and two walk-in closets.
