Chapter 44
CHAPTER 44
B lake dragged himself out of bed. He didn’t want to get up, but the last time he slept past ten, Anna sent little Mason in to wake him up. She didn’t let him mope around.
Blake didn’t know how to win Paige back. He’d been to Lukas’s house every day this week, but Lukas didn’t know what to do either.
At least he believed him.
The problem was that Paige didn’t. She’d cut him off completely.
No. He refused to believe it was over.
She was hurt and upset, but Blake would find a way to get back into her good graces.
He took a quick shower and then jogged down the stairs. He found a note on the counter. Gone into town, will be back this afternoon. There is a bagel in the fridge for you. Don’t go back to bed. Lukas will be over at noon to take you out.
He rolled his eyes. He loved his friends, but sometimes they were a little much. Though, he had to admit to himself that if the tables were turned, he’d do the same thing. He glanced at the clock. It was eleven forty-five. Lukas would be here soon.
Instead of eating the bagel, he opted for a banana and went in search of his shoes. He had no idea what Lukas had planned for him, but he hoped it would be something that would take his mind off everything. And include food.
The doorbell rang. Damn, he was early.
He jerked the front door open. “Anna said I had…”
Standing on the front porch was not Lukas at all. It was Paige.
“What are you doing here?” His first instinct was to reach out and pull her in for a hug, but he withheld because he didn’t want to drive her away.
“I need to talk to you.” She wrung her hands and wouldn’t look him in the eyes.
He reached for her. He couldn’t help himself.
She backed away, and he let out a breath. “How did you get here?”
“I drove and then took the ferry.”
“You drove?” He wondered what possessed her to finally cross that hurdle. He was so proud of her, but he was still confused.
“Yes. Did you sleep with her?”
“What?”
“Debbie, did you sleep with her?” She finally met his eyes and he found determination behind hers.
“No.” He said it with conviction. He needed Paige to understand that absolutely nothing at all happened. “I wasn’t even tempted, if you want the truth.”
She searched his eyes. “Did you kiss her?”
“No.”
“Do you love her?”
He shook his head. “I don’t. I thought I did, and then I met you. I love you more than life itself.”
She nodded. “Okay, then. I believe you.”
“You believe me?” That seemed easier than it should’ve been, but he wasn’t going to turn it down.
“Yes.”
“So can I kiss you now?” He closed the distance between them, wanting to believe that she meant it and that their fight was over.
“Yeah, you can.”
He grinned and brought his lips to hers. She wound her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. After a good long kiss, one in which he debated bringing her back up to his room, he pulled away.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” He didn’t want to cause her pain like that ever again.
She shrugged and her face turned serious. “I’m glad you didn’t sleep with her and that you love me. I’ve missed you.”
“You too. I don’t ever want to be away from you again.”
“Me neither. You’re stuck with me now, because even though I managed to drive all the way over here, I like it better when you drive.”
He grinned. “Okay. Under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Marry me.”
She glared at him. “I thought we’d been over this. I’m not answering until there is a ring and big to-do.”
“A big to-do, huh?”
“Yes.”
He grinned. “Just remember that you asked for it.”
He kissed her again, his mind already planning the best proposal ever.