Page 64 of Resisting Temptation

She looks impressed I know all about her already, but Hailey talks about her big sister a lot. “That’s me,” she agrees.

“Are you just home to catch up with your family?” Mae asks.

She flicks her long hair up into a messy bun on top of her head and shoves a pen through it to keep it in place. “I’m not sure yet. I needed a change of scenery, but I’m looking for work. If you girls hear of anything, let me know.”

“We’d be sure to. But there wouldn’t be much around here for someone with your skills.” I shrug.

“It’s okay, I’m looking for something different anyway. Anything that can get me out of my parents’ place again, really.” She looks between us, hopeful, and I can only imagine how difficult that must be, moving back home to our small town andin with your parents after living in New York and working such an exciting job.

“I work at The Alexander Hotel; we’re always looking for staff. I’ll check with my boss, Elliot, and see if we need anyone, and I’ll let you know,” Mae tells her.

She collects her laptop up, slipping it into a bag, and throws the strap over her shoulder, ready to leave. “Thanks, Mae. Glad I ran into you today. Nice to meet you, Paisley.” Her eyes narrow in curiously as she scans me up and down as she utters my name. I wonder what stories she’s heard about me. Hanging round in this place, I’m sure the old bat, Mrs. Rashford, has been spreading her rumors.

I offer her a friendly smile, trying to show her I’m not what old Mrs. Rashford says. “Yeah, you too. Guess we will see you around.”

She wanders out the door, the little bell chiming as she goes, and I check out the ink on the back of her calf. It’s writing of some sort, and I wonder what it says. Mae and I take a seat. “I’m so excited she’s home. Xanthi’s great fun.”

“She’s certainly different from the other girls around here. We’ll have to invite her out sometime.” I study Mae, wondering how she and that girl could have possibly been friends in school. They would have been polar opposites.

Mae nods, digging into her pie.

“I’m excited for you, Mae. After all this time not knowing who your father is, you’re going to finally meet him and know a bit more about where you came from.”

She drops her head shyly. “Yeah. It’s exciting. But I’m nervous too. What if I’m not what he’s expecting? My adoptive mother always said he wasn’t a good man, and I should be thankful he wasn’t in my life.”

“What if he’s not what you’re expecting? You’re the best. If he has a problem with you, that’s on him and you get the hell out of there quickly. Right?”

“Right,” she agrees, but it’s obvious she’s overthinking it. “I wish I had your confidence.”

“I don’t have confidence, honey, I’m just better at faking it than most. Right now, I’m feeling too sick inside to even stomach this pie. And I love the Delaney’s tomato pie.”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

I roll my lips, wondering if I should tell her or not. But I can’t process all this alone, it’s doing my head in. “Beckett’s asked me to call things off with Noah until after the election. He thinks it looks bad, and he’s right. I’m an idiot. I mean, what did I think was going to happen here, signing up with Noah’s opponent? It’s all so messy now.”

“I’m sorry, hun.”

“You agree, don’t you?”

“Oh, I have no idea what you should do. That’s a sticky one. Can’t you just talk to Noah and explain the predicament you’re in? He’s a good guy, I’m sure he will understand.” She smiles, hopeful. But she doesn’t know Noah like I do. With each mention of Beckett’s name this week, I’ve felt the tension ratchet up, a growing unease in the air between us. He hates him, and this will only make things worse.

A heavy sigh escapes my lips, a wave of exhaustion washing over me. “Nope. He wants me to quit. If I come to him and tell him Beckett is demanding I stop seeing him, he’s going to see red.”

“Maybe Noah’s right, you could resign.” She shrugs, and I wish it was all that simple, but it’s not.

I drop my head, wishing I could just walk away from this campaign, but I have to see this through. “I can’t, that would be leaving Beckett a month out from the election. He’s been sosupportive of me and my dreams, I can’t walk away and leave him in the lurch now.”

“Just talk to Noah. If things are as real between the two of you as you say, then he will wait,” she says, an assurance in her voice that gives me some confidence. She might be right, maybe this will be simple and I’m making more of a drama about it all in my head than it should be. It’s just a month. We lasted three years.

I return her smile. “I really hope so, Mae. I’ve never felt like this before about anyone.”

“I’m sure it will work out, sweetie.”

I nod, a forkful of the flaky, buttery crust melting on my tongue as I savor my pie. She’s right. I’m making this complicated when it’s not. Noah will understand, he has to, because I can’t lose him again.

Chapter 35

Noah

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