Page 66 of Resisting Temptation

A knock comes at the front door, jolting me awake. I bolt upright, hoping it’s Paisley and she’s changed her mind. I rush to standing, my head spinning and groggy from the bottle of bourbon I downed. I stumble down the stairs in a hurry to see her. It’s well past twelve; she’s taken her time to come back, but she must have come around and worked out I’m right.

When I throw open the door, I’m bitterly disappointed to find instead that Margo stands in the space, wearing a luxurious looking white fur coat. “Problem solved.” She smiles sweetly. She’s all dolled up, her long hair hanging down her back, her make-up heavy around the eyes and deep red lips. The aromasurrounding her is reminiscent of the perfume tester section at Macy’s. It’s a lot for my drunk brain to take.

“You got him to back out on his threat?” I ask, cautiously using the wall beside me to hold me up.

Her ruby lips turn up at the sides. “I sure did. There’s nothing a little money and a few promises won’t fix.”

I look her over, worried about what she had to do to solve this one. Mr. Giorgio didn’t seem like the kind of man who would back out so easily. “What kind of promises?”

She pushes past me into the house. “Nothing for you to worry about.” Her hand comes to my arm. “You wanted the problem solved, and I fixed it. Just say thank you, Margo.”

“Thanks.” I eye her suspiciously. “Well, that’s something,” I say, relieved one problem is at least taken care of. But the sick feeling at the pit of my stomach doesn’t disappear. Knowing he even had the inclination to threaten me in the first place means he plays dirty, he’s one of them. The people in this town who are involved in all the corruption. I have to win this election to put a stop to it. Get rid of all the old fuckers who think they have control.

“What else do you need me to do for you? I’ll do anything.” She opens the coat she has on, revealing a silky bra and panty set in a soft blue.

It takes a second for my brain to catch up with what exactly she’s offering. Jesus fucking Christ, can tonight get any worse? I back away from her. “You need to go home, Margo. For so many reasons, whatever you’re offering is a bad idea.”

She takes my hand, pulling it toward her bare stomach. “Noah, I know you. You’re stressed. Let metake all your troubles away.” She bats her lashes flirtatiously in a pathetic attempt to seduce me.

Backing away from her, I grab the door, making it obvious I want her walking back through it. “You need to leave, Margo. Go home and I will see you at the office tomorrow,” I tell her, my tone more serious. Is she fucking kidding me here? What possessed her to think I would be okay with this scenario?

She stares back at me, looking wounded by my rejection, but she’s the one whose crossed the line here, not me. “Paisley picked Beckett, why are you still hung up on her?” she whispers. “I could make you happy, Noah. That bitch only wants to make you miserable.”

“You have no idea how complicated our relationship is. Paisley’s my whole world, and I would never do anything to destroy what we have.” I remember the damaged look she gave me as she walked away tonight. I wasn’t trying to hurt her, I was just angry she was picking him over me. Over us. I was ready to walk away from the campaign for her. The thought had crossed my mind so many times, but when push came to shove, she picked him.

Margo’s expression changes, a fresh look of determination in her eyes as her hands move to her hips. “The offer stands, if you can see the truth right in front of you. It’s obvious she’s fucking Beckett behind your back. Everyone knows she’s a massive slut, Noah. Come on, don’t be an idiot.”

I feel my nostrils flare. I’ve been trying to be patient with Margo, but she just crossed a motherfucking line talking about Paisley like that. “You need to leave, Margo,” I say again, and this time my words hold a deathly edge to them. “There is no way she’s fuckinghim,” I spit back at her, anger vibrating through me at the thought.

She doesn’t even flinch. “Even you know deep down, she’s not a one-man kind of girl. For you I could be. I would do anything you wanted. Come see me if you change your mind. You know where I live.” She closes her coat and steps back onto the front porch.

I slam the door so hard it vibrates the glass panel beside. I’m disgusted. In myself for letting Paisley leave earlier. In myself for ever trusting Margo when it’s clear she has a whole other agenda here. And at Paisley for walking away from me. Something crosses my mind I don’t understand. I never told her Paisley picked Beckett, but Margo already knew. How?

Chapter 36

Paisley

Stella locks the flamingo-pink front door to Wild Magnolia for the last time and turns back to me, a little teary, handing over her set of keys with a half-smile. She encapsulates my hand with hers. I know what this shop meant to her; I can’t imagine how hard it would be to give it up.

“Thank you for trusting me with your baby. I will take good care of her, I swear.” I wrap my arms around her, hugging her close. I’m going to miss her so much. She’s been such a positive role model to me.

“I know you will. I hope Gemma and Eva will support you as well as you have me over the years. This little shop and I wouldn’t have made it through without you.”

“I’m sure they will.” I smile through my tears, hoping to God it’s the truth. I’m starting to feel like I may have taken on too much this year, with how demanding Beckett’s campaign is andnow this. But it’s time for me to grow up and take on some responsibility. “Call me when you get into Dallas.”

“I will.” She squeezes my hand one last time then wanders over to her car and gets in, giving me a wave goodbye.

I glance back at the store through the glass display window. I’m a business owner. Pride swells in my heart because I know I’ve done something right. My dad was wrong. I did amount to something. Might not have been exactly what he had planned for me, but it’s something pretty awesome just the same. Now I just have to make sure I don’t mess it up. And I can’t, because now I owe Beckett as well. Smiling to myself, I walk to the van and hop in. He believes in me, and so do all my friends. I can do this. Today my life turns around for good. I just wish Noah could be here with me to enjoy this moment. There is a constant pain lodged in my chest after last night.

Once I finish a quick delivery for Gisele at Brody’s, I can head home and join Mae and Em in celebrating. They have promised to take my mind off the Noah drama in any way they can, and I love them for it. The next month is going to be so difficult without him. Walking away from him last night was one thing, but actually staying away from him is going to be impossible knowing he’s right next door. I crave him like crazy.

When I pull up at the Alexander ranch, I notice Parker’s motor bike and Noah’s car are both here as well. I take a deep breath, not wanting Noah being here to ruin my positive mood. I’m not sure what his reaction will be toward me after our argument last night, if you can even call it that. It was more him demanding I do things his way and me being stubborn as hell and refusing. I know I did the right thing, but walking away from him hurt like hell, and now I don’t know where we stand. Quickly I check my reflection in my phone then realize my battery’s almost out. Whoops. Lucky I’m on my way home. I apply my red lipstickthen carefully take the large vase arrangement from the back of my van and carry it toward the house.

Parker opens the door before I get the chance to knock, and I’m grateful. This thing is dang heavy. “Wasn’t expecting to see you today. Congratulations on the new role. Business owner. It suits you.” He smiles warmly and kisses my cheek.

“Thanks, big bro.” I beam with pride. Having the keys in my pocket feels so real.

I transport the vase through the living room and place it on the kitchen counter. “Next time you want to order our largest arrangement, you have to come and pick it up. This thing is heavy,” I snip in Brody’s direction, just for the fun of it.

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