Page 27 of Resisting Temptation

I run a hand through my hair, wondering how I just went from wrapped up in the sheets with her to being mortal enemy number one. She was right there with me last night; she kissed me in that cab for God’s sake. I know she’s just as hot for me as I am her. I guess in the cold light of day, the reality of what I did in the past is too much to take. And I get it. But it’s not going to stop me from finding my way back into her life. She can’t run from me forever. Not now that I know the truth, and I’m back to make it all right and claim what’s mine.

Chapter 16

Paisley

Taking a deep breath to try to regain my dignity, I pop open the back door, hoping I can casually sneak in while the girls are all still asleep. Gisele’s soft laugh fills my ears, and I know I’m not alone. I cringe at how bad this must look. Smiling at them sheepishly as I enter, I try to play it cool when I realize I’m faced with a table full of my besties. Mae, Gisele, and Emerson are all enjoying takeout coffees and pastries from Bay Roaster’s Café. “Oh, where’s mine?” I ask, hoping to avoid the awkwardness.

“Did you really think I would forget about you?” Gisele hands over a takeout cup, and I hug her, so grateful for a small pleasure this morning.

She pulls back from me with a questioning glance. “You okay, sweetie? You look a little off.”

I run a hand through my tangled curls. I’m not sure what to say. I feel close to tears, so I just nod then put my coffee up to mylips and sip the heavenly warmth of my creamy cappuccino. She knows me so well.

“Your Valentine’s date went so well you’re sneaking in the back door, this is new.” Emerson gives a mischievous smirk. It’s obvious she wants all the gossip. One of my famous Paisley stories acted out, with all the drama.

“Ha, yeah,” I mutter as I pass them. “Gonna go have a shower.”

“You needn’t have bothered sneaking in, darlin’. You’re the talk of the town already,” Mae calls in my direction. Feeling the color drain from my face, I spin back to face them, wondering what the new rumor is.

“Apparently Mrs. Rashford’s granddaughter saw you having dinner with Beckett Prescott at Villa Bella Cucina in Bluewater Beach last night. I heard her telling someone when I picked these up at Bay Roaster’s this morning. Sorry, hun.” Gisele smiles sympathetically, and I know she hates the gossip mill about as much as I do.

Oh, fuck, the girls think I went home with Beckett. What’s worse, that or Noah? If only I could get my tired slightly hungover brain to come up with a good reason I’m slipping through the back door that doesn’t involve either guy.

I nod, trying to process. “I did have dinner with Beckett,” I admit, going to the kitchen cupboard and searching for some Advil. Finding the box, I pour myself a glass of water and pop two pills in my mouth, taking hold of the sink while I wish the pounding away.

Why is Mrs. Rashford and the rest of the town so invested in my actions? She would have a heart attack if she knew the truth. That the guy she handpicked for her precious little granddaughter fucked my brains out last night instead of hers. What I wouldn’t give to tell her that and see her reaction. Evil, Paisley, you’re evil. It would also out your dirty little secret, thereason you snuck in the back in the first place. I down the rest of the water.

“Since when do you know Beckett Prescott?” Emerson asks warily, the mortification in her tone obvious. Nice girls are supposed to stay away from the Prescotts. They are trouble, everyone in this town knows that, including me. But I guess these days, I’m hardly a nice girl, and if I’m being honest, I never subscribed to all that Southern bullshit Mae and Emerson do.

I direct my attention toward my friends. Three sets of eyes stare up at me, puzzled. Normally I would appreciate their attention when I have a juicy story about the night before. This is not a story I want to tell. I need to wipe last night from my memory and fast, because right now, I recall every damn second of it, and it was pure perfection. When Noah’s arm wrapped around me this morning, I wanted nothing more than to stay with him all day, just basking in the glory of knowing he was home and he wanted me again. But I know my joy would be short-lived. I can’t trust him, and I would be stupid to think things would be different this time. “Since yesterday when he sent me flowers and asked me out. What’s it to you?” I glare at Em, wondering what her point is. Why does she care?

She looks to the other girls for support. “Nothing, I guess. I was just surprised.” She shrugs, losing her edge, and I feel bad. I shouldn’t have snapped at her. Knowing Emerson, she’s just looking out for me.

I smile softly. “He wants my help with something, it was no big deal really. It wasn’t a proper date or anything. Food was great, though. You girls should check it out when you have a chance,” I say, trying not to sound like such a bitch. I wasn’t prepared for the Spanish Inquisition while I was trying to sneak in the house, and I’m majorly on edge already after having to deal with Noah this morning. The way he was looking at me, I didn’t think he was going to let me leave the house. He was intense. And if hetried a little harder, I hate to say it, but I would have given in and stayed. My will power is only so strong against him.

“What does he want your help with?” she asks nervously. It’s no secret Emerson’s family have had their fair share of trouble with the Prescotts, mostly Hamilton, so it’s understandable she’s worried about me spending time with Beckett. But I need this extra job. One, for the money, and two, so I can make sure Noah doesn’t win. I need him out of this town. And after last night, I think the faster the better.

“I can’t share details yet. But as soon as I can, you three will be the first to know.” I offer a smile as best I can muster. “Right now, I need a shower.” They let me go this time, and I make my way upstairs, relieved.

With the shower set to scorching hot, I slide down onto the tile floor and allow the water to run over me. My stomach churns with nausea. I bring my knees up and lower my head, attempting to alleviate the dizziness. Jake’s words keep echoing in my mind.You’re a train wreck, Paisley.He’s so right, I am. I want so badly to stop, but I can’t. One drink leads to another, then it all gets messy. Tears blur my eyes. How the hell did I end up such a mess? In high school I was the girl everyone wanted to be. Head of the cheer team, homecoming queen, prom queen. I had all the titles. I was unstoppable. Until the night I wasn’t. The night I realized it doesn’t matter how many crowns you have; some asshole can still crush your soul and leave you questioning everything you knew before.

I’m not sure how long I sit like this, wallowing in my own self-pity, but eventually, the tears stop, and I cling onto the shower screen for support as I force myself to stand up. My head spins a little, making me feel off balance.You’re better than this, Paisley Whittaker, get up off your ass and make something of yourself.My father’s words echo through my brain just as clearly todayas when I was a seventeen-year-old girl, scared and needing comfort from her father.

He could be the greatest doctor this town has ever seen, but he was a terrible father. My emotions were a massive inconvenience to him. Maybe if I told him why I was so distraught, he would have supported me through it. But I tried. When I came home all messed up, I told him about the asshole who threatened me and that was it, he shut down before I got it all out. I never told anyone except Noah the whole story about what happened to me homecoming night. That might be why I’m so crushed by his return. He professed his love for me and then vanished, which was not only hurtful but also more than that. The connection I had with him was genuine and so honest. I’ve never experienced that kind of relationship with anyone, not even my closest girlfriends. When I’m with them it’s as if I’m performing, still trying to be that girl they all expect me to be. But Noah, he knows the truth. He knows how broken I really am. He made promises he never intended to keep then left me to fend for myself.

You’re better than this, Paisley Whittaker, get up off your ass and make something of yourself,I say again like a mantra. I need to stop letting the past dictate my future. I am better than this. And I have something incredible to fight for now. A business opportunity being handed to me, all I need to do is come up with the money. But I can’t do it if I keep torturing myself with past mistakes. I take hold of the shampoo bottle, squeezing it in my hand.

Going home with Noah was the last straw, today is the first day of my new life, and I’m going to get my shit together and be the person I have always wanted to be.

Chapter 17

Paisley

Showered with freshly styled hair and a clean pair of wide-leg linen pants and a relaxed-fitting tank top, I make my way back down the stairs in search of my friends to tell them my exciting news.

“Girls, I need your help,” I announce as I stroll back through the kitchen. “Wild Magnolia is about to be put on the market. But Stella said she would sell it to me first if I can come up with the money.” I grin from ear to ear, the perfect performer.

Their faces light up with excitement for me. “Are you serious? That would be perfect for you,” Gisele gushes. She’s all about living your dreams, and I love her for it.

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