Well, that went better than I thought, on both accounts.
Her parents hadn't judged her for what happened with Phillip, and theywantedher to go to the Tri-Cities on the weekends for a social life.
Unfortunately, she didn’t feel any less guilty about lying to them.
CHAPTER 19
Silence filled the car as Gabe drove Paige to his mom's house again. He and Paige had found no shortage of things to talk about during PT this week, but now, alone in his car—with her only a foot away—everything that came to mind felt too intimate.
As usual, the air between them fairly crackled with electricity, and he couldn't help remembering their kiss last Saturday as well as their near kiss earlier this week. His grip on the steering wheel tightened as he fought the urge to take her hand.
He'd have plenty of opportunities to do that later, while they were with his mother. He shouldn't be so excited about that, considering it only made it harder to fight his developing feelings for her, but he was.
"I told my parents the truth about Phillip this morning," Paige said, studying her hands in her lap.
"How did they take it?"
"About like you'd expect. My dad was quiet, but got that murderous look in his eyes, and my mom was appalled." Paige's hand started moving through the air as she talked, and Gabe had to bite back a smile.
"What made you decide to tell them now?"
"That whole thing with Phillip on Monday could have been avoided if I'd told them sooner." She went on when he gave her a questioning look. "Apparently, he showed up last Saturday while I was with you, and she told him to come back on Monday when she knew I'd be home alone."
Last Saturday.
And he was right back to thinking about their kiss again. He forced his thoughts back to the topic at hand.
Gabe nodded. "I'm sure if she'd known the truth she would have sent him packing."
"I feel like a coward for not telling everyone what he did. WhatIdid."
"You are not at fault. Phillip is. He deceived you." Gabe grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You need to stop blaming yourself."
"My dad said the same thing." She looked up at him then. "It's just that… Well, you know how hard it is to admit you were wrong about someone. That the relationship you've devoted so much time to was all a mistake."
"I do. It's easy to blame yourself, but you can't take responsibility for something that isn't your fault. You'll never be able to move forward if you keep looking back at your mistakes.”
“Are you still looking back?” The question was quiet, but it struck him to his core.
Am I?
He was so focused on his studies during PT school that he'd hardly dated. Yes, he’d been afraid he'd end up neglecting any woman he dated, like he had Harper.
School was behind him now, so he had no excuse. Except that he hadn’t met anyone he was interested in dating.
Until now.
Enjoying the feel of Paige's hand in his more than he should, he let go and returned his hand to the steering wheel. Instead of answering her question, he changed the subject. "Has Phillip bothered you anymore since Monday?"
"No, thank goodness."
Silence again settled between them.
Gabe cleared his throat. "Are we okay?"
She cocked one brow giving him a questioning look.
"I feel bad about how we— I mean, the wayIleft things on Monday."
