Page 58 of Lakesides and Longing

She slipped into the house and stared at the keys hanging on the rack by the door.

She hadn’t driven since the accident, and she wasn’t sure she was ready now, but she had to see him.

She plucked the keys off the rack and grabbed her purse. She opened the garage door to the small SUV that had taunted her the last few months. She slid into the driver’s seat and waited.

Was she ready for this?

She tapped the ON button and felt the engine start up. Then she put her hands on the wheel.

She could do this.

CHAPTER44

Blake dragged himself out of bed. He didn’t want to get up, but the last time he slept past ten, Anna sent little Mason in to wake him up. She didn’t let him mope around.

Blake didn’t know how to win Paige back. He’d been to Lukas’s house every day this week, but Lukas didn’t know what to do either.

At least he believed him.

The problem was that Paige didn’t. She’d cut him off completely.

No. He refused to believe it was over.

She was hurt and upset, but Blake would find a way to get back into her good graces.

He took a quick shower and then jogged down the stairs. He found a note on the counter.Gone into town, will be back this afternoon. There is a bagel in the fridge for you. Don’t go back to bed. Lukas will be over at noon to take you out.

He rolled his eyes. He loved his friends, but sometimes they were a little much. Though, he had to admit to himself that if the tables were turned, he’d do the same thing. He glanced at the clock. It was eleven forty-five. Lukas would be here soon.

Instead of eating the bagel, he opted for a banana and went in search of his shoes. He had no idea what Lukas had planned for him, but he hoped it would be something that would take his mind off everything. And include food.

The doorbell rang. Damn, he was early.

He jerked the front door open. “Anna said I had…”

Standing on the front porch was not Lukas at all. It was Paige.

“What are you doing here?” His first instinct was to reach out and pull her in for a hug, but he withheld because he didn’t want to drive her away.

“I need to talk to you.” She wrung her hands and wouldn’t look him in the eyes.

He reached for her. He couldn’t help himself.

She backed away, and he let out a breath. “How did you get here?”

“I drove and then took the ferry.”

“You drove?” He wondered what possessed her to finally cross that hurdle. He was so proud of her, but he was still confused.

“Yes. Did you sleep with her?”

“What?”

“Debbie, did you sleep with her?” She finally met his eyes and he found determination behind hers.

“No.” He said it with conviction. He needed Paige to understand that absolutely nothing at all happened. “I wasn’t even tempted, if you want the truth.”

She searched his eyes. “Did you kiss her?”

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