Page 17 of Waiting on You

“We’re flying to Bath?” Paige gasps.

“Quicker than the two-hour-plus train ride.”

“And a helluva lot more expensive.”

“Don’t worry about that,” I tell her as we climb the steps onto the plane.

It’s on the smaller side, so there are only four passenger seats. We have a seat across from each other, and the flight attendant comes over and asks if we’d like a drink.

“Can I have a hot coffee, please?” Paige asks.

“Of course,” the flight attendant says. “And you, sir?”

“I’ll have the same.”

The flight is, as the pilot said, quick, and once we arrive in Bath, we get into the car I have waiting for us. So that we don’t have to bring our luggage with us, Nolan was able to get us an early check-in. The hotel is in the center of Bath in a small courtyard area, surrounded by a quaint bookstore, a tea shop, and a few other shops.

When the car stops, Paige gets out and glances around, and then her eyes meet mine. “We’re staying here?” she asks, pointing to the building behind her.

I nod, and she throws her arms around my neck.

“Thank you, Nate. I know you couldn’t have possibly known, but this is the same area where my mom and I used to stay when we came here.”

“I’m glad you like it,” I murmur, kissing the crown of her head.

My time with Paige might be limited, but I’ll do whatever I can to make sure it’s memorable.

chapter seven

PAIGE

When I mentioned wantingto flee to Bath, I was shocked when Nate not only agreed, but somehow, during the ten minutes it took him to pack a bag, he also made travel plans—including chartering a private plane!—booked an adorable hotel in the heart of Bath, got us tickets to see the Roman Baths, and made reservations to the best scone and teahouse in the area.

I don’t know what Nate does for a living, but I have no doubt that this is why he’s successful. When he sets out to do something, he doesn’t do it half-assed.

While Nate checks us in, I text Marina back to let her know that it’s fine and I can sit wherever she’d like. She’s been looking forward to this day for the past year, and I’m not going to be the reason she has unnecessary stress. But I’ve already decided that once I leave London, I’m cutting all ties with them. It’s time I put myself and my feelings first.

“So, we have a little problem,” Nate says, giving me a sheepish look that’s so unlike him. “When myassistant booked the room, it was supposed to have two bedrooms, but the hotel is overbooked, and they only have a room left with one bedroom.”

“Okay…”

“Which means one bed.”

“Oh.”

My mind immediately goes to Nate and me sharing a bed.Does he wear pajamas or only boxers to bed?Maybe he sleeps in the nude.The thought of him sleeping naked causes a whole new set of questions to enter my brain.Is he?—

“Boxers,” Nate says, snapping me from my thoughts.

“What?” I squeak out.

“You asked if I wore pajamas or boxers to bed,” he says with a playful smirk. “I wear boxers. Well, boxer briefs to be exact. But if you want me to sleep in the nude…”

“Oh my God,” I gasp. I must’ve spoken my thoughts out loud.Please, ground, swallow me up now.

“Paige,” Nate says, stepping closer to me, “are you okay with sharing a bed? If not, I can find another?—”

“I’m okay with it,” I rush out, not wanting him to have to find another hotel.

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