She was quiet, reading through every line with that focused expression she got when reviewing contracts at the office. I always loved watching her work. The way her brow furrowed slightly, how she would bite her lower lip when she was concentrating.
“‘Party A and Party B agree to maintain the appearance of a romantic relationship?’ Derek, this is the least romantic thing I’ve ever read,” she said, giving me a look.
“That’s the point,” I smirked. “This is business.”
“Business. Of course,” she rolled her eyes, scrolling back to the top. “This is very thorough.”
“I’m a lawyer. Thoroughness is kind of my thing.”
“But the childcare clause is generous. Almost too generous.”
“I like Lily, and she seems to like me, based on the fact that she hasn’t cried every time I hold her.” I smiled and added, “This has to work for both of us, Paige. That includes making sure you and your daughter are taken care of.”
She looked at me and sighed. Her hazel eyes were unreadable. “The exit strategy... you really think we can just walk away? After all this?”
Of course not. I’d never be able to move on from you. But I’ve accepted it for years, so it doesn’t matter.
“We’re adults,” I said, ignoring the way my chest tightened at the thought. “We can handle this professionally.”
I am a professional liar, after all.
“Professionally,” she repeated with a small nod.
The printer whirred to life across the room when I made two copies, and retrieved the pages, signing both with perfect strokes.
“Your turn,” I said, holding out the pen and one copy.
Paige took the document, her fingers brushing mine, and I tried to ignore the electric shock that simple contact sent through me. I let my thumb linger against the back of her hand for an extra moment before letting go.
She stared down at the contract, at my signature next to the blank line waiting for hers.
Then she halted, pen hovering over the page.
My heart stuttered. Is she backing out? Having second thoughts?
I wouldn’t blame her. It was insane and reckless. I could imagine Sean rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
“Paige?” I asked, keeping my voice gentle, even though anxiety made my voice stutter. “W-what’s wrong?”
She looked up at me, and there was something vulnerable in her expression that made me want to pull her into my arms and tell her we didn’t have to do it. That I would find another way to help her, one that didn’t involve lying to everyone we knew.
But I also saw the determination there.
“If we do this,” she said, licking her lips. “If we really do this... we can’t go back. Everything changes.”
12
VERY CONVINCING
PAIGE
“If we do this,” I said. “If we really do this... we can’t go back. Everything changes.”
“I know.”
“Jack will never forgive either of us.”
“Good. He doesn’t deserve forgiveness. He deserves to watch you thrive.”
