Chapter 14
PAIGE IS SPECIAL
PAIGE
Jack was walking toward us, and I felt every muscle in my body lock up.
He wasn’t supposed to be here. Derek had checked the guest list. But there he was, weaving through the crowd with Olivia trailing behind him, and the look on his face promised trouble.
“Breathe,” Derek whispered in my ear, his hand settling at my back. It was warm, and the heat radiating through the silk of my dress made my stomach flip. “I’ve got you.”
I took a deep breath as Jack stopped in front of us. His cheeks were flushed, and there was a glaze to his eyes. He had been drinking.
“Paige,” he said, my name coming out sharp from his mouth. “Didn’t expect to see you here. Especially not with—” His gaze cut to Derek. “Him.”
“Jack,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “This is a charity event. We’re allowed to be here.”
“A charity event you’re attending together?” He laughed. “You never attended any with me.”
Did he realize he was the reason I never attended any? He told me last minute about these events, and I’d be either swamped with work or taking care of our home or too tired to attend.
But Derek had taken care of the dress and hired a babysitter without me asking him to.
“How long has this been going on exactly? How long were you sleeping with my wife, Peterson?” He asked, his words harsh, and I didn’t like how he kept addressing me as his wife when I had already signed the divorce papers.
Several heads turned in our direction. I felt heat crawl up my neck, but Derek’s hand pressed more firmly against my back. The scent of his cologne was heady and comforting.
“Careful, Jack,” Derek said, his voice dangerously low. “You’re making accusations you can’t prove.”
“Can’t prove? She moved in with you three days after leaving me!
” His voice was loud, drawing more attention.
Behind him, Olivia finally looked up, and when our eyes met, she immediately glanced away.
Guilt was written all over her face. “Barely three days! And now she’s here on your arm like… like you didn’t steal her from me!”
“Steal her?” Derek’s voice dropped even lower. “I didn’t steal anyone, Jack. Paige made a choice to leave because you made the stupid choice that led to it.”
“Don’t you dare—”
“Where’s your wedding ring?” I asked. The words came out before I could stop them. “Because I notice you’re not wearing it and keep calling me your wife when you’re here with another woman in your arms. Funny how that works.”
“That’s different,” Jack said, his face turning red. “You left me. You abandoned our marriage—”
“I left because I found you in our bed with her,” I said, gesturing toward Olivia, who looked like she wanted the marble floor to swallow her whole. “My friend. In our bed, Jack. While our daughter slept down the hall.”
“You aren’t wearing a wedding ring either. And it was a mistake! One mistake, and you threw away all the years—”
“Notice where we are, Jack,” Derek said smoothly, tilting his head.
“Look around. Cameras are everywhere. Society reporters. Half of the city’s legal community is here.
Do you really want to have this conversation right now?
Do you really want to ask Paige why she’s not wearing her wedding ring when you’re standing next to the woman you cheated with? ”
Jack’s mouth opened, then closed. His eyes darted around the room, finally seeming to register the watching crowd and the photographers.
“This isn’t over,” he said. The tone of his voice had an edge to it. “You think you’ve won, Peterson? You think she’s just going to move on with you and play happy family? She’s using you. She’s always—”
“I think you should go,” Derek said, and there was something sharp in his tone that made Jack take a step back. “Before you say something you’ll regret. Or that your lawyer will regret.”
Jack looked at me one more time, and I saw something crumble behind his eyes. Maybe his pride. I couldn’t tell anymore, and I realized that I didn’t care.
He turned and walked away, Olivia hurrying after him. I watched them disappear into the crowd. I realized I had been holding my breath until they left.
“You okay?” Derek asked softly, pulling me closer.
“I… don’t know—” I blinked up at him. “Can we just… I need a minute.”
“Of course.”
He smoothly guided me toward a quieter corner, away from the curious stares while I focused on breathing.
But within minutes, people started approaching us. Colleagues of Derek’s, lawyers I recognized from firm events, socialites whose names I could never remember. Everyone wanted to know about us, about our relationship, about how Derek Peterson had finally settled down. That too, with his assistant.
“We’re so happy for you,” one woman gushed, her hand on Derek’s arm. “We were beginning to think you’d be a bachelor forever!”
“Paige is special,” Derek said, smiling at me in a way that looked so genuine it made my chest ache because I never knew how much of a talented actor he was. “Worth the wait.”
“And after that dreadful business with Kelly,” another woman chimed in, shaking her head. “We’re just glad to see you with someone who’s truly right for you.”
I smiled, nodded and played my part. Derek’s arm was firm around my waist, his lips brushing my temple to make it look believable.
We looked convincing, like a real couple. And maybe that was the problem.
Because it felt too real. Every touch, every smile, every time he looked at me, made me feel like I was something precious.
I caught sight of Jack across the room. He was leaning heavily against the bar, his tie loosened, with another drink in his hand. He was staring at us with a bitter expression, and I knew that he was gearing up for another scene.
“Derek,” I whispered, touching his arm. “We should go.”
He followed my gaze and saw Jack. “Yeah. Let’s get out of here.”
We made our excuses and headed for the exit. The cool night air hit my face as we stepped outside, and I breathed it in.
“That went better than expected,” Derek said as we started stepping down the marble steps. “You were amazing in there, Paige. The way you handled Jack—”
My heel caught on the edge of a step.
I felt myself stumbling forward, arms flailing uselessly, and for a moment I was certain I was about to face-plant on the marble stairs in front of half the city’s elite.
Then Derek’s arm shot out, catching me around the waist and yanking me back against his chest.
“Careful,” he said. “You okay?”
“I… yes. Sorry. These heels are ridiculous,” I said, clutching the lapels of his suit. I looked down at the stilettos that had seemed like a good idea three hours ago and now felt like torture. “I can barely walk in them.”
Derek glanced at them and then, to my absolute shock, he kneeled down in front of me.
“What are you doing?”
“Helping you.” His hands circled my ankle, gentle but firm, and he slipped off one heel, then the other. “These are dangerous. Someone could get seriously hurt.”
“Derek, it’s fine—”
Before I could finish the sentence, he straightened up and swept me up into his arms. Bridal carry. As if I weighed nothing.
“Oh my God,” I gasped, blood rushing to my face. “Derek, put me down. I’m too heavy, you’re going to hurt yourself—”
“You’re not heavy,” he said with a smile, his strength making my heart flutter. “You’re perfect. I could carry you home if you want to.”
“Stop it. I’m not… oh no—people are staring. The photographers—”
Flash. Flash. Flash.
Sure enough, the photographers were having a field day as Derek carried me down the steps. I buried my face in his shoulder, embarrassed at having caused a scene.
I should’ve just worn sneakers.
“Let them stare,” Derek said, and I could hear the confidence in his voice. “This is exactly the kind of photo we want. Romantic and caring boyfriend taking care of his hot girlfriend.”
“I cannot believe you just picked me up like…like—”
“As if you’re the most valuable thing?” He asked, looking at me with his blue eyes full of warmth. “Because you are. Remember, I used to piggyback you all the time when we were young.”
Yes. Yes, I remembered. How can I not?
But we were kids. Now, we are not.
My heart jumped in my chest seeing his smile, which should come with a warning label.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“So you keep telling me.”
He carried me all the way to the car, setting me down on the passenger seat. I hadn’t even realized that he was still holding my heels.
“Your chariot, my lady,” he said with an exaggerated bow that made me laugh despite my embarrassment.
“You’re such a dork.”
“And yet you’re blushing,” he grinned. “You look cute when you blush, by the way. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Stop it,” I said, smacking his arm. “Stop making me blush more.”
“Can’t help it. It’s very entertaining. Besides, these photos are going to be everywhere tomorrow. ‘Derek Peterson sweeps his stunning girlfriend off her feet.’ Literally.”
I couldn’t shake the sensation of his body heat through my thin dress. How easily he had lifted me, how strong his arms had felt around me.
Derek climbed into the driver’s seat, still smirking, and I tried not to notice how attractive he looked when he was pleased with himself.
“You’re enjoying this way too much,” I said, a small smile curling on my lips.
“I really am,” he said, starting the engine, and the smirk softened. “But seriously, Paige. You handled tonight perfectly. I know that seeing Jack wasn’t easy, but you didn’t let him get to you. You were strong.”
The praise warmed me more than it should have.
“We both were.”
“I have years of courtroom experience,” he said, shrugging as he glanced at me. “Speaking of which, Sean texted. He had already seen the photos online. Apparently we’re trending.”
“Trending?” My eyes widened. “Already?”
“Welcome to the digital age,” he said, showing me his phone screen, and sure enough, there were already posts about us. Photos of us arriving together, of Jack’s confrontation, of Derek carrying me down the stairs. The comments ranged from supportive to shocked to scandalized.
“City’s most eligible bachelor finally off the market,” I read aloud. “Derek Peterson debuts new relationship at charity gala.” I looked at him. “This is really happening.”
“No going back now,” he said.
I stared at the ring on my finger, Derek’s ring, catching the streetlights and throwing sparkles across the dashboard. At Derek himself, his handsome profile illuminated by the city lights.
I was falling for him.
No, I couldn’t.
Because it was terrifying to fall for my boss, my childhood friend, my fake fiancé.
It was all fake. We had a contract with an end date.
But I was already breaking rule number four.