“Only in pictures from brochures,” Adam said. “Bas was here with Dane before we had you moved, but this is my first time.”
“We would love a tour,” Mrs. Corbin said.
“Then a bit of lunch. Ru assures us everything here is top of the line,” Mr. Corbin added, his gaze sharp. “As long as you’re feeling up to it.”
“I am,” Tommy agreed. They had to go through the regular search, and Tommy waited. Once they were finished, he led them through the lobby and toward his wing, explaining as he went. Shana and the NAs followed as usual, but that was okay. His time spent with them filled another empty box in his soul, adding more hope to his recovery.
By the time the day was winding down, Tommy was exhausted, but waiting in the lobby again, this time for Paige. She smiled as she came in, pizza box in hand, Dimitri’s written on the outside. It was a special order for him, and had become a regular Sunday night routine. She leaned in to kiss him on the cheek and handed off her stuff to be searched.
He always felt bad for that. But Paige had been through it enough that it took only a minute. She was wearing a skirt, hose, and a sweater that evening, but they’d also had the first early snow this week. Next week, it would likely melt and warm a few days before the final chill of winter descended for the year. She was the only girl he’d ever met who wore skirts most of the time, rarely favoring jeans as a lot of other girls did. He liked it, but hoped she wasn’t doing it for him and making herself cold in the process. Minnesota winters were brutal.
“You look amazing as always,” he told her.
She did a little twirl spin for him. “Designer on a dime,” she smiled.
He knew little about fashion in general, leaving show stuff to his crew, but he liked whatever Paige picked. She seemed to have an eye for couture. “Love it,” he said. Tommy took the pizza and grabbed her hand as they walked to the media room together.
“What are we watching tonight?” Paige asked.
“Anything you want.”
“Magic Mike?” Paige teased.
They’d already seen it twice. “How aboutBurlesqueif you want adult dancing?” Tommy offered.
Paige laughed. “Not enough boobs in that, though the singing is good. Let’s watch the secondFrozenmovie.”
“Were there boobs in that I missed?” Tommy wondered.
Paige laughed. “Nah, I think of it more as an asexual anthem movie. But Anna and Kristoff have a pretty healthy thing going. I like the magic gecko the best.”
“Every princess has her sidekick,” Tommy agreed. The room was set up for them, TV on, and the new blanket Mrs. Corbin had gifted Tommy was on the double-wide armchair. He and Paige spent most movie nights curled up there.
He set the pizza down. It was actually a little early for dinner, but if they needed to, the staff would take the pizza and warm it for them. Tommy curled up in the chair, knees spread to give Paige room. She tucked herself in against him, and he dragged the blanket over them.
“You want food now?” He asked, navigating to the movie. There wasn’t much they hadn’t watched. If it was a movie with music in it, they’d seen it. Tommy had a bit of fire burning in his gut to be part of that. Maybe he’d never be the next Disney prince on film, but he might on stage. And that was exciting, and terrifying all at once.
“Nah. Let’s watch the movie first.” She tugged the blanket around them, curling up against his chest, and he rested his arm around her waist as they settled in to watch theFrozensecrets revealed.
They were nearing the end when Tommy realized Paige was rubbing circles on his chest. It had been soothing, and he wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t suddenly begun tonotice. Well, that was awkward, he hadn’t had that reaction in a while. Normal for his recovery his doctor had assured him, but he was a bit stuck on whether or not to react? Would it be okay? Would Paige want attention that way?
Tommy was a bit frozen himself, feeling like maybe he no longer knew the cues of a girl who might be into him. He had never cuddled with a girl he was friends with before. Hadn’t really had girls who were friends before. Was it okay to move the needle? Or would that mess up what they had?
“What’s wrong?” Paige asked, looking up at him, and reaching up to touch his face. If she shifted a little bit to the left, she’d know immediately what was wrong. He’d worn sweatpants today, as had become his norm on the quiet weekends, and they would hide nothing.
He felt his face heat. “I’m broken,” he admitted.
She narrowed her eyes at him, expression confused. “Different than usual?”
“Yeah, I don’t know how to react.”
“About?”
He breathed out a long breath. “You.”
She pulled away and he flinched.
“No, not that way,” he said. “I mean. Fuck, I’m so bad at this. Suave, lady-killer I am not.” At least not anymore. “Is there an us? Are we just friends? Or more? I don’t want to ruin what we have.” He reached out to touch her face, loving the softness of her cheek and pop of freckles on her skin.
