Page 61 of Bride Games

“Someone’s in a bad mood. I thought we smoothed everything over at the hotel. Your kiss certainly seemed to indicate we were back on.”

“Give it a rest, Trent. We’renotback on. I’m busy. Find another date.”

“Just like that? I thought we both felt something that night. You felt so good in my arms. Smelled so good. I’ve missed you. I want a do over, Paige. We can be a power couple again. Think about it.”

Paige watched as Zach and Marie talked to Stan the Man. All three chuckled as if they were in on a private joke. She almost wanted to say yes because she was mad at Zach for ignoring her. But it was all her fault. Well, Trent’s fault, but she was also to blame. “No, Trent. No need to ask me again. We are not going to have a”—she made air quotes even though he couldn’t see her—“do over, nor be a power couple. Don’t call me again.”

She hung up and stared at the threesome chatting as if they didn’t have a care in the world. Meanwhile, she was miserable. Zach had stopped bringing her coffee. Paige never realized how much his simple, thoughtful gesture of setting coffee by her door had endeared her to him from the start. He was an all-around good guy—a great guy—and she had somehow managed to ruin everything.

I’ve got to think of something to get my good name back. And get Zach back.Paige decided to scroll X, even though she had promised herself weeks ago she wouldn’t check social media for her own mental health.Maybe I’m no longer trending.Encouraged after noticing she was no longer in the top ten trends on X, she winced when she did a search for #Paigethefake #PaigeDanielssucks and #ihatePaige. She sucked in her breath.They still hate me. Everyone hates me.A lump filled her throat.Even sweet Zach hates me.She read a few of the nasty comments and winced. Damn trolls.They love you one day andturn on you the next.As she scrolled through several vitriolic comments, she wanted to respond to a couple of the more venomous remarks but didn’t engage. She knew that would egg them on.At least the players and coaches seemed to have lost interest in ruining my career, but the fans haven’t given up on destroying me.

Paige turned off her computer and asked Emma to meet for a cocktail. Even if Emma couldn’t meet for a cocktail, she had already decided she was going to have one.

54

Paige & Emma

Paige arrived at The Twisted Pasta first and secured a table in the back of the bustling restaurant. She sat with her back to the room, still uneasy around crowds since the majority of people still hated her—at least it felt that way.

Minutes later, Emma rushed inside and took a seat across from Paige, hair in a messy mom bun. “Hey, thanks for calling. This is a nice surprise. Any special occasion or?—”

Paige held a napkin over her face and broke down in tears. “I think my relationship with Zach is over.”

“What?”

A server interrupted their conversation. “Good evening, ladies. Would you like to order or?—”

“We’d like a moment,” Emma said. “And wine. Please bring wine as fast as you can.”

“Certainly. What would the gentlewomen prefer?”

“Any old wine, okay, Paige?”

Paige nodded. “You order.”

Emma said, “We’ll take two waters and a bottle of merlot. We’d like to enjoy our wine and chat before ordering.”

The server nodded knowingly. “Yes, of course. Be right back with the wine. Take all the time you need.”

Emma took Paige’s free hand while her friend dabbed her tears with her napkin. “Start from the beginning. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think. Zach’s obviously nuts about you.”

Exhaling, Paige said, “Maybe hewasnuts about me, but I ruined everything when I—” She stopped mid-sentence as the server returned with the wine, poured it into their glasses, and gratefully scurried to another table. Paige held her glass in the air. “Here’s to you and Eli. At least one of us is happy.”

“I don’t understand.” Emma cocked her head. “What happened?”

Paige splayed both hands on the table, lowered her voice, and relayed the entire story beginning with attempting to spy on Zach and Marie at the game, the airplane cancellation, hotel room debacle, and a naked Trent.

Emma didn’t say a word until Paige finished except for sucking in her breathtwice—once about being in the same hotel room and a second, louder gasp after learning Trent was naked. Emma clapped a hand over her mouth. “Sorry, but this is bad, Paige. Really bad.” Emma’s mind raced when she saw the disappointment on her best friend’s face. “But you can fix it. I know you can.”

Crossing her arms, Paige said, “How?”

Staring at another seemingly happy couple as if for an answer, Emma admitted, “I don’t know. Let me think about it.” She brightened. “Maybe Eli will have an idea. You know, man-to-man stuff.”

“I don’t know if I want you to tell Eli. I’m afraid the word will get out around town. Remember, Trent and I kept our engagement last year hush-hush, plus Zach and I don’t broadcast our relationship since we’re at the same station and since I’m the”—she made air quotes—“boss” now.

“I get that.” In an effort to make Paige smile, Emma said, “Maybe my six-year-old will have an answer.”

Paige chuckled for the first time in days. “Lucy certainly couldn’t make it any worse. Let’s order. Maybe something will come to you—or me—while we eat.” Paige and Emma scanned the menus and waved the server over. “I’m getting lasagna. To hell with calories. I’m no longer on the air and since I apparently no longer have a boyfriend, who cares?”

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