Page 27 of Promise Me Nothing
“Lucas, I don’t expect you to promise me anything, okay? I just want to spend time getting to know you. I haven’t had family in a long time. Let’s just see how this goes.”
He nods, letting out a long breath.
Then he gives me a small smile, takes my hand, and tugs me sharply against his chest, his arms wrapping snuggly around me.
“First thing’s first. You need to learn how to accept a hug.”
I laugh. “And if I don’t want one?”
“Well I’m your brother and I’m bigger and stronger, so tough shit.”
“Oh, you gonna give me wet willies now, too?”
“I have a lot of time to make up for. Expect me to use your stuff and steal your toys and eat your snacks from the pantry.”
I laugh again, finally letting myself enjoy his hug.
It’s easy to forget what unconditional love feels like when you haven’t felt it in so long. And this with Lucas might not be there yet, but it feels like we’re on our way.
"This is delicious,” I say, taking another bite of my pancakes. “I haven’t had a breakfast as fantastic as this in a while.”
Paige laughs. “Honey, get ready for a whole lot of deliciousness. We do Monday brunch here every week.”
“Have you eaten everything on this menu? Because I feel like that would be tempting.”
“Unfortunately, no. I stick mostly with the low-carb options.” She pats her incredibly flat stomach. “Gotta keep this body in top shape.”
I nod, though I don’t feel like she has anything to fear. Paige is one of those women who are naturally beautiful. But I guess we all see different things when we look in the mirror.
“I’m sure Lucas will bring you to the next one. You’ll get to meet the whole gang. There’s a pretty big group, and we call it Monday Mournings. M-O-U-R-N. Because we commiserate about the tragedies from the weekend.”
“That’s clever,” I say, picking up my orange juice. “But I probably won’t be able to…”
“Don’t say you won’t be able to afford it. I’m under strict instructions from Lucas not to let you think or worry about that at all while you’re in town.”
My eyes widen in shock, then narrow as embarrassment pulses through my body. The last thing I want is to be Lucas’ charity case.
“Paige, I don’t expect for you guys to pay my way. I’m going to get a job while I’m here. I’ll just have to be choosy about what I can afford.”
But she’s already shaking her head. “Nope! I totally respect where you’re coming from, especially when considering that you have a famous brother who not only comes from a lot of money but also earns a lot of money. But you also have to accept that Lucas has a lot of time he wants to make up for. He wants you to have fun, enjoy yourself. And that includes spoiling you and making up for all the years you guys haven’t had together.”
I let out a sigh. “But…” I pause, looking away, towards the water in the distance. “I don’t want him to see me as someone he has to take care of. I already feel bad enough by living in his house without paying for anything.”
Paige leans forward and rests her hand on mine. “Honey, you’re not mooching. Let the man take care of you.” Then she sits back. “You’ve been on your own for a long time, right?”
I flush from cheeks to neck, wondering if there’s something about being near the ocean that causes me to turn bright red all the fucking time. This never used to be an issue.
But I nod anyway.
“You’re not on your own anymore, sweetie. You have family now, and family takes care of each other.”
God, she makes me want to break into tears, but I grit my teeth and give her a tight smile.
Paige is a conundrum. Both obsessed with gossip and yet I don’t doubt she is also a great secret keeper. Focused on looks and the superficial, but kind and welcoming to her core.
When I first met her, I thought she was just a richer version of the mean girls that I went to high school with. The ones who called me The Cactus, or Homeless Hannah. But the more I talk to her, the more I realize she might just be the exact opposite of those girls. She’s probably what those girlswishthey could be, but they’re too small-minded and self absorbed to figure it out.
Paige pays the check, glaring at me when I try to grab it, and we clear out from our place on the patio. Having breakfast at Mary’s was her idea, a pit stop on the way to her house to pick out something for me to wear to the charity auction at the yacht club tonight.
