Chapter 15 #2
"Like what?" Paige gave her a confused look.
What was Grace getting at? Gabe's sister obviously didn't like her, but she couldn't understand why. Well, other than the fact that Paige was lying to their mom.
The other woman stared at her for another long moment before speaking again.
"My brother has been hurt enough to last a lifetime.
I won't let it happen again." Her words were clipped and hard.
"He's dealing with too much right now to have to worry about someone manipulating him or taking advantage of his compassionate nature. "
Paige jerked back. "I would never."
Was Grace referring to their father walking out on them or the break-up that left Gabe gun-shy when it came to dating?
Or maybe both? Paige agreed with Grace; Gabe had had more than his share of heartache.
But what was he dealing with right now? And why did she get the feeling there was something Gabe and his sister weren't telling her?
"I'm glad to hear it." Grace's expression suddenly softened, and she dropped the knife and reached across the counter to cover Paige's hand with hers. "Thank you for pretending to be his girlfriend." The sheen of tears filled her eyes.
Paige was so surprised by Grace's one-eighty, she almost jerked her hand away. Why was she thanking Paige for deceiving her mother?
Before Paige could ask the question, Gabe and his mother walked into the kitchen. "What's taking you ladies so long? I can't wait to try Paige's baking." He winked at her, but Paige was too confused by her conversation with Grace to enjoy his flirting.
"Surely Paige has baked for you before," Marisol said, a questioning look on her face.
Gabe tensed, his shoulders stiffening to the point it looked like he was flexing. "Well, yeah…of course." His words were stilted. "But she's never…made this cake for me before."
"I'm not much of a chef." Paige grimaced then chuckled. "Thank goodness Gabe's a good sport." She forced a smile she hoped didn't look as stiff as it felt as she patted Gabe's shoulder. "Sorry, honey, I didn't make this cake for you. I made it for your mom and sister."
"I see where I rank." Gabe pressed a hand to his chest, feigning offense.
Their words, meant to sound flirty, came across stiff and stilted. Cringing inwardly, Paige glanced around the room.
Marisol wore a smile as she took a saucer with a slice of cake on it.
Grace's gaze jumped back and forth between Gabe and Paige. Her brow furrowed again, but instead of the disapproval she wore earlier, her look said they were idiots.
And she was right. Pretending would be easier if Paige understood why Gabe was so adamant about lying to his mom. Even then, she was certain she'd still feel guilty.
"Do you cook often, Paige?" Marisol asked as they settled around the table.
"Not really. I don't mind cooking, but I don’t enjoy being in the kitchen all the time, like some people. When I do cook, it's usually simple stuff."
"Well, I'll have to teach you how to make some of Gabe's favorite foods." Marisol winked and grinned. "You know what they say, the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach."
"Mmm…" Gabe and Grace said in unison as they took their first bite of cake.
"And a woman's too apparently." Marisol laughed. "You've already captured my son's heart, but now you know you can woo him with your cake, if need be."
Paige forced a smile. She liked the idea of winning Gabe's heart, but not under false pretenses. Her stomach was so tangled with shame, she had a hard time forcing down the rich chocolate cake that tasted almost as good as Amy's.
She remained quiet as Gabe and his mom and sister talked about their favorite foods and the work that went into making them. Apparently, they cooked together often.
Gabe repeatedly met her gaze, a questioning look on his face. He even took her hand at one point. She didn't pull away because she enjoyed the contact too much, but she hated that he only did it to convince his mom they were something they weren't.
They finally said their goodbyes, and once again, Marisol hugged Paige like a long-lost daughter. A heavy sinking feeling weighed
Paige down. What she and Gabe were doing was wrong.
His hand fell to the small of her back as they made their way out the door, but Paige couldn't enjoy the contact. She stepped away from him the moment the door closed behind them and hurried as fast as she could to the car. She yanked her door open before Gabe could do it.
He blocked her path before she could climb in. "What's wrong?"
Paige was tempted to deny anything was wrong, but it ate at her too much to let it go.
"Why are you lying to your mom?" She motioned toward the house. "She hugged me so tight. Like she was welcoming me into the family."
"She's like that with everyone."
"But she thinks we're going to get married. Someday soon, from the sound of it." Her voice took on an accusing tone.
Gabe shoved his hands into his pockets and stared down at the driveway. "Last week when I told her I was seeing someone, I led her to believe it was quite serious."
"Why would you lie to your mother like that?"
Gabe's posture stiffened. "I told you I have my reasons."
Heat built in Paige's chest. "So you keep saying, but you won't share them with me.
How am I supposed to keep playing the part of your girlfriend in this ridiculous charade, when I know next to nothing about you and feel like you're keeping secrets from me?
" She folded her arms across her chest and gave him an expectant look.
When he didn't even bother to look up, she threw a hand in the air. "And then there's your sister."
His head popped up. "What about Grace?" Defensiveness filled his voice.
"She practically gave me the third degree, warning me not to hurt you.
Then she turned around and thanked me for lying to your mom.
Why is your sister encouraging this whole thing?
" She propped a hand on her hip, waiting for him to respond.
When he didn't, she went on. "When you said your mom has been on your case about dating, I expected her to be critical and conniving.
But she's not. She's the sweetest woman I've ever met. And she loves you."
"I've never doubted that she loves me." Conviction filled Gabe's voice.
"So tell her the truth."
"I can't!" His expression was as fierce as his shouted words.
"Why not? If you're still hurting over what happened with your ex, then tell her. I think she'd understand." Paige was about to suggest he also go to counseling, when he interrupted her.
"She's dying, Paige." Anguish deepened Gabe's voice, and pain lined every feature of his handsome face.
A jolt shot through her. "What?"
He let out a heavy sigh as he looked toward the house. "Last week, my mom was diagnosed with…stage-four pancreatic cancer." Shoulders sagging, he propped his elbows on the car and shoved his hands into his hair.
"Oh, Gabe." Paige stroked his back and leaned her cheek against his shoulder. Her heart ached just thinking about what he must be going through. "I'm so sorry."
He sucked in and released several shuddering breaths.
His voice was gravelly when he spoke again.
"Ever since my dad walked out on us, I've done my best to take care of her and Grace, but I can't fix this.
" He pounded a fist on the top of the car.
"There isn't a single thing I can do to help her through it this time.
So I lied, hoping to bring her a little peace and happiness. I know that makes me a horrible pers—"
"What do you mean this time?"
Gabe studied Paige for a moment then looked at the house again where his mother was probably already getting ready for bed. Despite her excitement over meeting Paige, the evening had taken a toll on her, and she looked exhausted by the time they walked out the door.
"Can we go somewhere and talk?" He gave Paige an imploring look.
"I'll answer all your questions and tell you anything you want to know.
" Talking about how little time his mother had left was the last thing he wanted to do, but Paige deserved to know everything if she was going to continue to pretend to be his girlfriend.
"Sure," Paige agreed.
Silence filled the car as Gabe drove. Thankfully, Paige held her questions and didn't push for conversation before he was ready. He was still debating what to tell her when they arrived at the neighborhood park.
He shut off the engine but didn't speak. Where did he begin? The things he'd told Paige about himself had been minimal. After having both his dad and Harper leave him, he found it difficult to confide in others.
"Do you want to get out and walk?" Paige asked in a quiet voice.
"Yes." He had his door open before the word left his mouth. Would he find it easier to talk about things he'd discussed with few people if he was moving?
He looked around the almost deserted park as he stepped onto the walking path that meandered through it. The sun would be setting soon.
Paige fell into step beside him. He sensed a tension in her and expected her to start asking questions any second. But she remained silent, waiting for him to do the talking.
He cleared his throat. "One month before walking out on us, my dad drained his and my mom's savings accounts to help his secretary, whom he'd been having an affair with for two years, put a down payment on a condo.
Then he moved in with her and filed for divorce.
" Gabe balled his fists at his side as heat that had little to do with the warm May evening filled him.
"He had a better lawyer than my mom could afford, so he got the house and most of their assets.
Mom ended up with the car that kept breaking down and barely enough furnishings to fill a small rental home. "