"I know what I told my mom, Evelyn. I lied to her to make her final days happy." He recalled his mom's tears of joy when he and Paige returned to the living room hand in hand Saturday night. "And it has." He stared at her, daring her to argue.
Coming clean with his mom and knowing Paige would be by his side through it all had helped him find a measure of peace concerning letting his mother go. He would always wish he had more time with her, but he was trying to focus on gratitude. Gratitude for the last twelve years he’d enjoyed with her.
Evelyn pointed at Nikki. "But she said this was a fake relationship."
"It started out that way, but we fell in love." He tugged Paige, who had yet to soften, a little closer to his side.
"So, you're dating a patient?" Evelyn's expression hardened as she folded her arms. "Isn't that against your code of conduct or something? Does Dr. Stoker know?"
He kept his head high, hoping they wouldn't notice the perspiration forming on his brow. "Yes, it's against the ethical guidelines of the American Medical Association, and I could very well lose my job over it. I will be discussing my engagement with Dr. Stoker tomorrow. I would appreciate it if you'd keep this information to yourself for now." His heart raced, pounding against the tightness of his ribcage. He'd asked so many people to keep his secrets that he was losing track. "At least until I have a chance to talk to Paige's dad and Dr. Stoker." He looked around the room with a pleading expression. "That goes for all of you. Please, give me twenty-four hours before you say anything to anyone."
Evelyn's expression softened a little, but her disapproval was apparent in the lines around her mouth. "And when do you plan to come clean with your mother?"
"I told my mother the truth after Paige and I got engaged. She knows everything." That had taken a huge load off his mind.
"I sure hope you know what you're doing." Evelyn shook her head, disapproval still lingered in her eyes. "You could lose your license for dating a patient."
"I know, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make for the woman I love." He turned to Paige, but she stepped away.
She shook her head vigorously and backed away from him. "I'm sorry, Gabe. I can’t do this." Tears filled her eyes as she bolted to the door.
For the second time in a matter of minutes, Gabe's stomach plummeted—this time through the floor. His heart followed, leaving a gaping hole in his chest.
"Paige, wait." He stood dumbfounded, trying to figure out what he'd done wrong. He thought he'd handled the whole thing quite well, so he couldn't understand why she'd walked out on him.
Heat filled his face as he looked around the room, spotting the sympathetic faces. There were fewer witnesses to his humiliation this time than when Harper left him at the altar, but that didn't mean it hurt any less.
"Why are you just standing there?" Gladys jerked him from his stupor. "Go after her. You can't work out whatever is wrong if you don't talk to her."
He nodded repeatedly as his feet pulled him toward the door. He shot Luke a desperate look before walking out.
"I got this, man." The younger man waved. "Go after her."
"Thanks." Gabe raced down the short hall to the exit, desperate to catch Paige before she drove away.
Bright sunlight blindedPaige when she stepped outside. Her eyes watered, creating more tears that blurred her vision. She shaded her eyes and hurried to her car.
"Paige, wait!"
She turned to see Gabe coming out the door, shading his own eyes. Part of her wished she'd been able to walk fast enough to get away, the other part was glad he'd come after her.
He jogged over to her. "Talk to me, please."
“I’m sorry.” She swiped at her eyes. “I just…” She fanned herself and sucked in a deep breath as she tried to make sense of the overwhelming emotions swirling around inside her. Emotions that tightened her chest and made her feel like she might vomit.
Humiliation for being caught in their lies and the gossip that could trigger. Fear that Gabe might really lose his job. And dread that something would ruin this amazing thing she’d found with Gabe.
"Mi amor." He pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in his calming warmth. "I'm sorry for whatever I said or did that upset you, but I can't fix it if I don't know what's wrong."
She chuckled. "Spoken like a man who has spent his life surrounded by women."
He pulled back and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I learned a long time ago that an apology goes a long way, even if I don't know what I'm apologizing for."
“I just felt so overwhelmed by everything. Everyone was staring at me like a bug under a microscope. And I panicked.” She pushed away from him and fanned herself again.
“I’m sorry I forgot to tell you last night that Mom told Evelyn about our engagement. She knew Mom gave me the ring Saturday night and wanted to know how we reacted.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry it all came out like that. I had hoped to keep it under wraps until I’d spoken with your dad and Dr. Stoker.”
"Eight months, Gabe." She lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. "That's how long Phillip kept his relationship with me hidden. I was his dirty little secret." She sucked in a deep breath. “I don't want the community I grew up in finding out through the rumor mill thatI've been secretly seeing my physical therapist. I can't bear to hear the criticism and see the judgment on their faces." Tears flooded her eyes again.
