“So, I’m putting two and two together.”
Oh boy. He knew exactly what she was thinking, so he said, “Skye came to me and told me you left.”
Paige finished her glass of wine and poured another. “Exactly what I thought.”
“Let’s not do this.”
“Do what?” she snapped. “Talk about how you wouldn’t have known I was gone unless Skye told you?”
Andrew opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. She was right. He would have known eventually, but it could have been a while. Especially since he’d started letting Vonda handle the day-to-day.
“I guess I shouldn’t be hurt, but I am,” she admitted. “You came here because she told you to. Not because you missed me or you cared about why I left.”
He placed his hand atop hers and squeezed. “Paige, that’s not true. I care.”
“Just when I start to feel comfortable, just when I start to believe that I’m more to you than a client, something like this happens.”
Andrew blew out a harsh breath. “I get why you would feel that way, but that’s not why I’m here. If it was just about the job, I could have told Skye where you were. I didn’t have to come here myself.” Her shoulders fell, and he rushed on. “Yes, Skye lit a fire under my ass. Yes, I was wrong as hell for how I treated you. But no, you’re not just my client. I thought we already established that.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “If we’re going to be honest, I’ll admit that I’ve been wondering when you would bring up work.”
“I didn’t bring up work. You asked.”
“True. But you’re my agent. My work affects your bottom line. It benefits you for me to do my job.”
“Don’t do that.” Andrew wanted to move forward, but if she really felt that way, he didn’t see how they’d be able to.
“I’m sorry.” She tugged at her ear. “That was under the belt.”
“Thank you.” They sat in silence for a long moment. “Listen, I’m here because I care about you. I’m here because I want to be here—with you.”
“I want to believe you, but—”
“Then believe me.”
Paige hugged herself. “It’s just that . . . I’ve been so wrong about a lot of people.”
“One person,” he argued.
“A lot of people,” she corrected. “I want to move past it, especially with you. Because I’m glad you’re here. I’m happy we talked. I don’t want to burst this bubble we’ve created here.”
“You didn’t.”
“If it seems like I’m a bit suspicious, I hope you understand why.”
Andrew knew exactly why she’d reacted the way she did. He didn’t fault her for it. He just wanted to assure her that he was there for her—not for work. “I do,” he said.
“Good,” she said. “And . . . I’ll think about contacting Skye myself.”
“That’s your decision. Call her when you’re ready.” He leaned forward and brushed his fingers over her furrowed brows. “And stop frowning. You always tell me worry lines are forever.”
A smile spread across her full lips. “I can’t with you.”
“You know what I think?”
“What?” she asked, confusion etched on her face.
“I think you are so upset that I’m kicking your butt at this game that you had to distract me with an argument so that we could stop playing,” he joked.
