Pausing, she drops her food and her eyes fly wide open.“What’s going on?I’m completely confused.”
“Don’t be.”My finger rubs at the small crinkle forming between her eyebrows.“I asked you to separate the two after Montreal.I have and I hope you can, too.Just enjoy us.Enjoy this.”
With a kiss, I settle into my seat and eat.She stares for a while but says nothing before diving into her own sandwich.For the most part, lunch is easygoing and we talk about other things.But once in a while, I catch her looking at me as if I’ve lost the plot, but she doesn’t push the conversation any further.
When we’re done, I toss the wrappers into the garbage and Paige grabs her purse, getting ready to leave.“I’m going to be late tonight.”
“Why?”
“I have the last site visit.We’ve got to make a decision on the new venue for the gala.”She tries to keep the tension out of her voice but fails.
Almost every night this week, she’s taken the gala committee on venue visits and they still haven’t found the one.Even though she pulled the options together, with Morgan’s help, she hasn’t been wild about any of them, but with the benefit under two weeks away, they are running out of time.
“Where are you going tonight?”
“The parking lot off Cherry Street I told you about.”
I keep my expression neutral although I highly doubt a parking lot is going to work, but I keep my thoughts to myself.I don’t want to discourage her.She’ll figure it out.“And what’s wrong with the other venues?”
“We’ve visited the other spots that are surprisingly available.The pickings are slim at this late date but none of them are right.Some are way over our budget and others clash horribly with the purpose of the benefit.”She sighs and her shoulders deflate.“But at this point, I’m desperate and might just choose one of those if tonight doesn’t wow the committee.”
“Ah, well, it depends on what you mean by wow.They’ll definitely be speechless.”
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?”
“No.That’s not it.You know what you’re doing, and I trust your judgment.I know you didn’t ask, but my one piece of advice for you—you’re going to have to sell the parking lot to them like your life depends on itbecause none of them are going to get it.”
“Great.”She raises her arms and drops them in exasperation.“I’m just going to call it off.We’ll go with one of the other locations.”
“No, you aren’t calling anything off.”My hands land on her rigid shoulders, gently loosening the tight muscles.“Text me the details and I’ll join you.”
“Thank you but you don’t need to come.If managing the foundation is going to be my full-time job?—”
I interrupt, “Have you made up your mind on that?”My grandmother is driving me crazy as each day ticks by and Paige still hasn’t committed to the foundation job offer.
“No, and now isn’t the time.My point is, I can handle the board.”
I smirk, glad to hear it, but then she continues, sounding on the verge of defeat.“Besides, no matter the location, whether it’s perfect or not, I can pretty much count on one person complaining the loudest and longest.”
Our gazes lock and she pauses for effect, the silence prolonged before I finally ask.“Who?”
“Reagan.”
The mention of Reagan Hussey doesn’t please me.She’s an unforeseen wrench in things.If only her grandmother had stuck around this summer then Reagan might be off in Paris or some other glamorous locale.Paige hasn’t said much about Reagan, but Morgan has kept me well informed about how difficult my ex has been.
“Knock, knock.”Donovan pushes my office door open, sauntering in as if he owns the place.“Hey, how was Singapore?Did you get some sweet Asian pussy?”
My teeth grind together, and I exhale harshly.I’ve been trying to speak to him for a couple of days now but he’s been dodging me.This invitation isn’t a request but an order.
“Donovan.”I stand as he goes to take a chair.“Don’t sit.This won’t take long.”
His brows shoot to his hairline and he stiffens.“What’s going on?”
“Stay away from Paige.”My voice is cold and hard as steel and he steps back.
“What?What did she say?”
“Nothing.I don’t want you near her and not that this is any of your business, but our relationship is real.”We’re now almost nose to nose, so close I see the beads of sweat forming on his upper lip.“Got it?”
