“In a good way?”
“In the best way.”
My comment hangs in the air as the waitress puts our meals in front of us. I dive straight into my French toast as Paige separates her two meals into a to-go box she asked for immediately.
“So now, I have to ask you, where did you come from?”
I look up at Paige, and from the smile she’s giving me, she’s not talking about where I was born, but since she shared, I should too.
“New York by way of Boston. I’m originally from Virginia. My mom still lives in Norfolk.”
Paige smiles, shaking her head, knowing what I just did. “Thank you for that, but I was meaning today. Why did you come to volunteer?”
“You.”
The look on her face is pure shock.
“Me? How did you know I would be there?”
I didn’t mean that I went there to see her, though I must say she was an added bonus when I saw her this morning. But since she’s taking it this way, why not have a little fun?
“Well, it was a charity event. And you apparently volunteer for every nonprofit in the county. I figured the odds were in my favor.”
She shakes her head, a shy smile hitting her lips. “I don’t volunteer everywhere.”
“Name one place you don’t.”
She starts to speak, then stops about five times, which of course, causes us both to laugh.
“Fine. I volunteer at a lot of places,” she says, trying to hide her smile behind her coffee cup. “You didn’t answer my question. Why did you come to the race today?”
I take a sip of coffee, stalling for a second to find my words. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed by admitting this. Well, I do. It’s because this new version of me, or the person I’m determined to try and become, feels like a foreign skin still. Then again, this is Paige. I doubt she could make me feel bad or embarrassed about anything.
“After our talk in the hospital, I realized a few things about myself. The biggest one is that I didn’t like the man I had become.”
“You figured that out by talking to me? And here I thought you were just testing out pickup lines.”
I laugh, appreciating her attempt at humor. “You’re such a good person. You do so much for others. You’ve managed to turn my demon-child nephew into a not complete terror. You order breakfast for people you barely know. And there I was lying in a hospital bed, having nearly died, and realizing that I was a shit human.”
“You aren’t a sh—bad person.”
“We will get back to you not saying shit in a second. But yes, I am. Or, I was. Well, I’m trying not to be. You inspired me, Paige. So did Boomer, but don’t tell him that because his ego is already big enough.”
This makes her laugh, which I’m relieved about. This conversation got much heavier than I anticipated.
“As to why I was there today? I was originally going to run in the race. I try to run a few 5Ks a year, usually ones that have medical charity ties because it looks good for my practice. And I figured, well, I was thinking since I couldn’t run, I could still volunteer. That it would be a good thing to do. But I don’t feel like I did much.”
Paige shakes her head, reaching for my hand. It’s not a romantic touch, but that doesn’t mean a shock doesn’t zip through my body.
“It was a great thing to do. Do you know how much you helped me today? I would have been going out of my mind having to register two lines alone. You could have stayed home, saying you paid your race fee and you did your part for charity. But you didn’t. Did you see the smile on Christina’s face when you showed up? You were her savior today. And mine. So don’t for a minute doubt that what you did today was anything other than awesome.”
“All I did was pass out swag bags,” I say, trying to deflect her compliment.
“I heard runners get pretty crabby when they don’t get their free T-shirt.”
We both laugh, releasing some of the heavy from our conversation.
The waitress comes and sets our check on the table, signaling to both of us that it’s probably time to go. Paige tries to reach for the check, but I quickly snatch it away from her.
“I told you. My treat.”
She gives me a smile, one of many I’ve earned over the course of today’s events. “Thank you for breakfast. And helping me today.”
“It was my pleasure. Maybe we can do it again sometime?”
I don’t mean for it to come out like I’m asking for a date, but by the look that she’s giving me, that’s exactly how it came out. Hell, since I got out of the hospital a week ago I haven’t been in the same room with Annika to even ask for a separation, and I have no clue where she is. No way am I ready to date anyone.
I might be insanely attracted to Paige, but even I know it’s not smart to jump right into another relationship. And even if I was a free man… with Paige… I could never. She’s too, well, she’s too damn good for an asshole like me.
“I meant, volunteering,” I stammer, hoping I can voice my thoughts without sounding like a pussy. “I-I want to try to do more. Like I said, you and Boomer inspired me. Other than volunteering at the run today, I have no idea how to even do it. The only charity work I’ve ever done is writing checks and eating expensive meals in tuxedos.”
I get another smile, and this one is the brightest of them all. “I’d love to. How about this. I’m running a food drive at Cullen’s school. I could use a few more volunteers. Plus, you could earn good uncle points.”
I clap my hands, loving the idea. “Sounds perfect. Just let me know what you need. I can even get the practice involved, if needed.”
We exchange numbers, for volunteer purposes only, of course. I pay our bill and lead her out of the diner just as she turns to face me.
“Do you remember the question you didn’t mean to ask me earlier that I avoided?”
I nod. “I do, but you don’t have to—”
She cuts me off. “I want to. You asked me where I come from? Where we all come from? I’m a byproduct of my past. We all are. You can’t change what happened to you, just like I can’t change my past. We can only choose how we let it dictate our future. Thanks again for breakfast.”
She pats my arm before walking to her car and leaving me in awe.
It’s official. Paige Blackstone is like no one I have ever met.
Chapter Fourteen
Paige
I know I’m in the minority when it comes to teachers, but I’m always excited to come back from Christmas break. I enjoy my time off, and it’s good to recharge my batteries, but after a while, I start missing my tiny friends.
And there’s nothing quite like that first week back from break when it comes to five- and six-year-olds. They are bursting at the seams to tell me all about their Christmas vacations, and show-and-tell is pretty epic.
Unfortunately, the feeling doesn’t extend past kindergarten.
“Ughhhh. I can’t believe we have homework already! This sucks. Why can’t it still be Christmas break?”
The sentiment comes from Anthony, a fourth-grader I tutor a few times a week who insists on sitting at his old desk every time he comes in. He was one of my students years ago, and although I’m not supposed to have favorites, he was totally one of mine. I also correctly guessed what his role in my class would be that year: He was the protector. He was nice to every kid in class and was the first to report if he saw anyone being bullied or being picked on.