Page 103 of Fierce Storm
“Keeley, hi.”
“Hey, Paige. How are you?” I smile awkwardly, my mind spiraling with how bad of a friend I am, until I subtly pinch my leg, snapping myself out of it. We’ve spoken plenty since I all but fucked her dad, and it was fine. Having her standing in front of me now is a different story. A little part of me wants to blurt it all out and beg her to forgive me.
Lucky for me, that part of me doesn’t get a say in the matter.
Paige lifts her lips in a soft, hesitant smile, and I almost panic as she sits down. Until she speaks. “I’m good. If you don’t count the fact that my mom and my brother have decided they’re flying in four days before the rehearsal dinner. I thought they’d fly in the day before and fly out right after the wedding.”
I bite back a laugh, instantly relaxing as I pass her the menu. “I can’t believe you’re getting married in a few weeks. Where are they staying?”
“I’m not sure about Marc, but Mom’s staying at our place.” She cringes and I immediately feel her pain.
“Your apartment? God, I’m surprised Easton agreed to that. You need cake.” I gesture toward the dessert list, and Paige laughs before it turns into a strangled groan.
“Easton didn’t agree. Mom invited herself and made it impossible for him to say no. You know, since she thinks we have a perfectly good spare bedroom. We don’t. It’s my art studio. But do you think that matters?”
I cringe on her behalf. “Shit.”
“Yep. Dad offered for her to stay at his place, because he holds the empathy gene and could see we were both uncomfortable with it all, but she wasn’t interested in that. Her exact words were, ‘I want to be with my daughter before her wedding.’”
At the mention of Sal, a pang of guilt settles in my stomach, followed by the sting of jealousy.He offered for his ex-wife to stay in his apartment?
Was that before or after he was fingers deep in my pussy?
Said pussy throbs and I internally scold myself, crossing my legs to hide my pain, as Paige continues on. “Can I come and stay with you?” She holds her hands out as she jokingly begs, and I laugh as I take her hands, squeezing them in mine.
“You know you’re always welcome. But she’s your mom. She wants you there. And my guess is that Easton already has plans to move into my apartment with Isaac. If I know that brother of mine, you’re on your own.”
“Oh, I know. He asked your mom. You were his second choice. Followed by Reed. He’s that desperate.”
“Not desperate enough if he hasn’t suggested Luke as an option.”
“Not yet, but I’m ninety-nine percent sure he’d go there. He gets along fine with my mom, but since she’s been in wedding mode, even I’ve found her insufferable. The only one she’s not driving crazy yet is Dad. And that’s because he’s mostly stayed out of the planning.”
Her easygoing smile drops, and I curse Sal under my breath. He’s once again let work distract him, and I’m annoyed on Paige’s behalf.
“Wait. No, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Like what?”
“You look like you want to strangle my dad.”
“Oh, shit. I do?”
“Yes.” She laughs. “But the truth is, I haven’t asked him to do anything. I didn’t want to bother him with it. And now, I’m kind of regretting it. He’d be much easier to deal with than Mom.”
Her hesitant smile returns, and my chest aches for Sal. He would have loved that.
“You should ask him. I’m sure there’s some last-minute stuff to do. Double-checking the venue or taste testing the cake?”
“We’ve already…” She trails off when she catches my raised eyebrow and laughs out loud. “You’re right. I should double-check both of those things. Thanks, Keeley.”
“You’re welcome. You know me. Always here to help you.”
“Andmy dad. I’m a little jealous he gets to see you so much. I miss you.”
“God, I’m sorry. I promise to be better.”
“Don’t be. You’re fine. I’m just going a little crazy with the wedding coming up and the Mikklesons’ trial not long after that.”
