Page 91 of The Payback Plan
‘Can I come home?’ Bella asked, her voice breaking.
Paige swallowed a lump and hugged Bella tighter as she choked out a, ‘Thank you,’ hung up and started to cry. Not a tear or two, actual gut-wrenchingsobs.
It had been a long time since Paige had felt this helpless. Maybe that first sickening day she’d opened one of a hundred early morning texts from friends and acquaintances alerting her to Harvey’s horrible act of spite. She wasn’t sure exactly what had gone down between her and Chase but she was pretty sure it was more than a work thing and on that, she could most certainly relate.
‘C’mon, love,’ Astrid murmured after long silent moments broken only by Bella’s choked weeping. ‘Let’s get you inside.’
* * *
Thirty-six hours later, Paige stood on Oliver’s doorstep, almost eight weeks to the day since she’d first arrived, steeling herself for what was to come. She’d hired a car from Bristol airport and was just about as tired as she could be after hardly any sleep on the red eye and no sleep in New York. They’d stayed up all night with Bella, being distractions when required – tequila shots and movies, grilled cheese sandwiches and 4a.m. Chunky Monkey – and shoulders to cry on the other times.
Bella hadn’t said much about what had gone down and nobody had pushed. It was too soon and she was too close to it but the night had been all about Bella. Supporting Bella. Which Paige had been totally on board with. Bella had occasionally wailed about being such a downer when Paige and Oliver snogging on Porthmeor was plastered across a dozen social media sites but Paige had summarily dismissed her concerns.
She’d beenpleased,almost grateful, to be immersed in someone else’s drama. In fact, when the Carmichael car had arrived for Bella in the morning to whisk her back to her family, it was a stark return to reality for Paige.
To her drama. To Oliver.
Oliver who had been on her mind constantly since Bella had left. On her trip to the airport. On the plane. On her drive from Bristol. Oliver who she loved and wanted to be able to spend the rest of her life with but carried far too much personal risk to even consider. Oliver who she had to say goodbye to and never see again so those photos and themysterywoman would be nothing but an insignificant blip in the timeline of his celebrity.
Sinking quickly from view. And scrutiny.
Sienna’s calm, reasoned,maybe you should take a standfloated into her mind as Paige lifted her hand to knock on the door and she shut her eyes to ward it off. It was much easier for herandOliver to say than for Paige to actually do.
Just get in and get out, Paige. Grab the hamster, apologise, tell him youhaven’tdeleted his book then grab your stuff andgo.
Rapping hard – twice – Paige waited for the door to open. She had a key she could have used but it didn’t feel right given the way they’d left things. When there was no answer though, she seriously considered using it. It was lunch time; maybe he was on the beach?
She gave two more firm knocks in quick succession but still there was no answer. Not sure how she felt about a non-answer after psyching herself up to face him for hours, she fished through her bag for her key. But, to her surprise, the door opened abruptly to reveal Oliver in sweats and a T-shirt, his hair clearly finger combed to bird’s nest intensity.
Her pulse leaped at the sight of him – dishevelled or not – but she had no chance to fully assess her reaction as he stuck his head out looking rapidly left and right before pulling her into the house. ‘Jesus, Paige. You were lucky no paps were lurking.’
Paige blinked. Stupidly, she hadn’t even considered the possibility but it had obviously been a harrowing couple of days. She supposed that was naïve of her but also –not her life. Still, his irritated frown was wonderfully familiar and her stupid heart softened.
‘They must have all buggered off to get some lunch.’
The door shut and they were standing in the hallway. Close – so close. And he was looking at her and she was looking at him and it didn’t seem possible that a mere two days’ absence could make her want him more.Lovehim more. But her pulse was tapdancing and the deep yearning ache she’d been suppressing intensified so she supposed itwaspossible.
As if realising they were standing a little too close he huffed out, ‘Come in.’
Paige followed him into the living room, the ocean view looming ahead through the double glass doors. It was overcast again, the waves thrashing, a perfect backdrop to the final scene of this tangled web of a relationship.
‘I’ve just come to pick up my stuff and Pavarotti,’ she told his back as the cage in its usual position on the kitchen bench came into view.
‘Sure,’ he said, as he stepped aside to allow her to overtake him.
Paige crossed straight to the cage, smiling when the hamster who was now officiallyripped, leaped off his wheel mid spin like a freaking gazelle and rushed to the bars for some loving. ‘Hey there, little guy,’ she crooned, sticking her finger in to caress his quiff, her smile growing as Pavarotti practically shuddered in delight.
‘How was the opening?’
Her shoulders tensing, Paige gave a stiff nod. Small talk – fun.Not. ‘It was great,’ she enthused without any real excitement. ‘Bella did an amazing job.’ Which she had but the fact she was also a complete mess because of this bloody bargain they’d all made, tempered Paige’s response.
‘I read the reviews online. It seemed well received.’
He’dreadthe reviews? ‘Uh huh,’ she remarked noncommittally before turning back to face him. His hands were on his hips, his eyes intense as they met hers. Too intense. She couldn’t deal with that level of intensity. ‘I’ll just go and grab my stuff.’
‘Okay.’
Paige practically ran up the stairs and packed her relatively meagre possessions in record time, tossing clothes haphazardly into the ridiculous mishmash of suitcases, not thinking – just doing. Just needing to be away.
