Page 159 of Delicate Storm

I almost laugh thinking about how wrong she is, but since I never told her about Christian’s family, I hold back.

“I hope you’re right.”

“I usually am.”

With Mom somehow on board with my decision, I just had to convince Easton, which was proving as difficult as I thought it would be.

“I can’t let you stay. You’re already doing so much for me and Isaac.”

“I want to stay. Have you thought about that?”

“What about your mom?”

“She’s fine with it. She understands. This is where I need to be right now—with you and Isaac. And honestly, I don’t care what you say. I’m staying.”

“You don’t care what I say?”

“Nope. I already canceled my flights.”

“I’m sure I could convince your dad to give you his private jet.”

“Oh, you’re going to talk to my dad?” I bite back a smile. “Please do. I’d love to witnessthatconversation.”

Despite my dad being good with our relationship, he and Easton have yet to talk about it. And it’s hard to say who’s avoiding whom. I’d love to put them in a room together and watch it play out. Dad can be all “don’t mess with my daughter” while Easton gets his back up with “why would I do that? Maybe you should make sureyoudon’t mess with your daughter.”

Since Easton and I started talking more, rather than just focusing on the sex, I’ve filled him in on my relationship with my dad. And he told me about his. Which, in hindsight, wasn’t a great idea since it stressed him out about being away from Isaac.

But their circumstances are different. Easton’s there for Isaac any chance he gets. Dad, on the other hand, liked to fill his spare time with more work. We barely saw him when we were younger, but he’s making up for it now.

“I’m not afraid of your dad, Paige. We’ve just been busy.”

“Of course.” I bite back a smile.

“If it will get you on that plane, I’ll talk to him.”

“I’m staying. So you’ll be wasting your time.”

Easton groans and I can’t help but laugh. “Are you going to be this stubborn for the rest of our lives?”

“Probably.” I shrug. “You may as well accept it.”

“Fine. You can stay.” Easton huffs out a laugh as he pulls me into a hug, pressing his lips to my temple. “But you’re coming to Thanksgiving dinner then.”

I try to hide my beaming smile, but it shines through, making Easton laugh again. “I’d love to,” I say, bouncing on my toes. “Thank you for asking.” I wink and he rolls his eyes.

For the next few days, Easton’s mom looks after Isaac while I’m on standby, and I find myself twiddling my fingers with nothing to do. I’d become so used to spending my days with athree-year-old that I’m now bored with my own company. And I’ve always loved my own time.

Realizing I need to talk to Keeley before showing up at her mom’s for Thanksgiving, I pick up my phone to call her and find a message I hadn’t noticed from earlier.

The A-hole: I swear this wasn’t me. I would never go this far. Please tell me what’s going on

My heart stops and my stomach churns as I click on the link to a popular gossip columnist.

We’ve got the exclusive pictures of Paige D’Angelo’s new beau and we have to ask… Does Daddy D’Angelo know she’s fooling around with his star wide receiver? In public

The article goes on to mention Easton by name, along with the controversy surrounding his split from Macy, and it’s accompanied by grainy photos of the two of us in the parking lot after my charity event. One photo taken seconds before he wrapped his hand around my neck, and the other of his hand up my dress. Both relatively PG unless the photographer has more images ready for release.

With my heart lodged in my throat, I keep reading and my world completely shatters.

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