Paige burst out laughing.
He wasn't sure how he'd expected her to respond, but it wasn't like that.
"What's so funny?"
"You are." Paige chuckled again. "I think you've read—or listened to—too many romance novels."
"What do you mean?" Confused, he scowled at her. He never should have admitted to reading romances.
"The woman is usually the one concerned about defining the relationship."
"I'm not trying to define the relationship." His defensive tone made the words sound like a growl. "There isn't a relationship." But he wished there was.
"I know. There can't be, because there's too much at stake." Her voice was a combination of sarcasm and boredom. Then she grinned as she pointed a finger at him. "Except there is. It's fake, but there's a relationship."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know." Her eyes flashed as her voice turned defensive. "But unless you've changed your mind about being able to make promises, this fake relationship…" she circled her hand in the air, "is all there is. And as far as I'm concerned, it doesn’t need to be defined."
Meaning she didn't want to discuss it anymore. She'd put him firmly in his lane, which was where he needed to stay. He couldn't have a real relationship with her if he wasn't willing to tell his mom the truth and risk his job.
Would Mom be glad he'd finally moved on if he lost his job because of it?
Arrival at their destination prevented further conversation, but Gabe couldn't help wondering why he had to meet Paige now whenhis life was so complicated? Why couldn't they have met years ago, before he became her therapist? And why did the only relationship he could have with her have to be based on lies?
When Gabe opened Paige's door for her, he was tempted to pin her up against his car again and steal a kiss, but that was out of line in light of their recent conversation.
Neither Mom nor Grace met them at the front door this time, but Gabe took Paige's hand in his before walking into the house. The scent of savory meats and spices combined with hot oil greeted them. His stomach rumbled. He'd been too keyed up to eat much today.
Gabe guided Paige toward the kitchen, where they found his mom and sister up to their elbows in flour and dough.
"What? No welcome committee today?"
"Ah Mijo," Mom threw her flour-dusted hands in the air. "We got caught up in our preparations and lost track of time." She quickly cleaned her hands and greeted them with hugs.
Gabe hadn’t always welcomed his mom’s hugs, especially as a teenager, but nowadays, he cherished every single one.
Mom wrapped Paige in an equally tight hug, and like last week, Paige's eyes squeezed shut. Her expression looked both pleased and pained.
She hates lying to my mom.
He did too, but he couldn't recall the last time he'd seen her look so happy. He couldn't bear to take that away from her. Even though the shadows of fatigue under her eyes were ever-present, excitement filled her face on Saturdays when he brought Paige over.
"Okay, you two wash your hands." She pushed them toward the sink then clapped her hands twice. "It's time to get cooking."
Paige laughed as they bumped elbows at the sink. "Is that where you get it from?"
Gabe looked at her beside him. Eyes alight with laughter, she looked radiant. His heart stuttered. He regretted not stealing that kiss when he had the chance.
"Get what from?" His voice was gruffer than a moment ago.
"When you want your patients to get to work you always clap yourhands like your mom does. Except you've added your own flair by rubbing your palms together afterward."
Gabe had never thought about how closely his desire to be upbeat and encouraging mimicked his mom's habit. He couldn't think of a better person to model his life after.
"He doesn't only do that with his patients." Grace piped up behind them. "He does it every time he takes charge and gets bossy."
Gabe turned and pulled a face at her as he dried his hands. "We all have our quirks." He pointed at Grace but looked at Paige. "For example, Grace often makes humming and moaning noises while she eats." Ignoring his sister's scowl, he wrapped his arm around Paige's shoulders. "And Paige here likes to talk with her hands. The more excited she gets the faster they move." Paige gasped and started to pull away, shooting him a scowl of her own, but he kept his arm around her. "It's very cute."
