Page 80 of Lie for a Lie

“Since when did you start dating redheads,” I ask, attempting to shift Clint’s focus.

He doesn’t bite and gives me an annoyed look.

“Fine.”

I take a minute to focus and fiddle with my hands until the silence became too much.

“I’m pretty sure I am in love with Paige. So much so that we spent the night together after we left here last night. I woke up with her gone this morning and a note on my pillow. My bed has never felt so empty. I have been sleeping alone for so long, and she was there once, and I can’t help but feel this panic in my chest that I fucked it all up.”

Clint studies me before grabbing my glass and the bottle. He pours a shot and offers it to me, which I don’t hesitate to take. He then starts to make a pot of coffee.

“Does she know how you feel?” he asks.

I close my eyes.

“After last night, how we both feel towards each other is clear. No one has ever kissed me like she does. A few weeks ago, we kissed after we went to a club, then the river happened. It’s clear.”

He studies me another moment before rolling his shoulders. It makes me panic slightly because that shoulder roll typically means I won’t like the life advice I am about to get.

“You shouldn’t start anything with Paige until you clear certain toxic people from your life. Katherine is not what you want and hasn’t been since Seth happened. And yet, you choose to torture yourself because you think you aren’t worth loving. Chris called that night after you met Paige. You have been in love with that woman since you met her.”

He isn’t wrong about any of it. He isn’t lying about how I fell so hard for her in those first few moments. I even watched her for a few minutes before approaching her.

“I know. That’s why I just left Katherine. I was thinking I can sell the townhouse. Maybe stay here til I figure everything out?”

I let out a soft sigh, and when I meet Clint’s eyes, a weird mix of pride and surprise fills them. He offers another shot of whiskey. I let out a small laugh.

“What about Seth?” Clint asks, and he doesn’t bother hiding his disgust for him.

“I don’t know. I don’t want Paige to do to Seth what Kat did to me, no matter how much I want Paige to be my girlfriend.”

I say with more pain than I care to admit.

“Wait, you two didn’t sleep together?” Clint asks, confused.

“No,” I say, not bothering to hide my disappointment before adding.

“A few make-out sessions and some other stuff.”

Clint’s brow raises in shock again, and he slowly nods his approval.

“I think what you want here is pretty clear. But what does Paige want?”

He asks the question I have been asking myself for weeks now.

“Me,” I answer, full of confidence.

Then, I shake my head before running my hands through my hair again. We are meant for so much more than just being friends.

“What makes you so sure?” Clint asks.

“Because I’m the one she calls when it matters. She leans on me for support, and I know no one will ever love her like I want to.”

There was a pregnant pause, and I can tell Clint is shocked by how open I am about this. I always seem to hold on to everything too tightly and sacrifice myself for others’ feelings instead of moving on from the relationships that no longer serve my life.

“I think you should tell her. I think she needs to hear everything you just told me. You’re an idiot for letting Seth have her if you feel this strongly about her.”

There was such a seriousness in his eyes.

---