Page 107 of Delicate Storm

“No, of course not.” Her voice rises leaving me unconvinced, but I let her off the hook. For now.

“Okay, so—”

“I was worried it wouldn’t be okay to call since we’ve only ever texted.” She cuts me off, further proving my theory. Paige talks a lot when she’s nervous. I discovered that the first day I met her. But still, I let it go. “Anyway, how was your day?”

“Honestly, my day was great but my night turned to shit.” The words are out of my mouth before I’ve thought about it and I freeze, backtracking. “Sorry, you don’t need to worry about that. How wasyourday?”

“What happened?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. I want to know about you.”

“My day was okay. I booked another photo shoot and got my nails done. Did I tell you I’m going to be working the runway soon for that new San Francisco designer? I’ve only walked the runway once, so I’m a little excited. And the clothes are beautiful. They’re high quality and the colors are to die for. I can’t wait.”

“I can hear it in your voice. Sounds like you had a good day.” But there’s that rushed talking again.

“I guess.”

“Why are you calling, Paige?”

“What?”

“I’m happy to hear from you, always, but like you said, we’ve never spoken on the phone and I’m—”worried.

“Ugh. I know,” she cuts me off again. “I was thinking about you and—” She cuts herself off this time and laughs. “Are you alone?”

“Huh? Of course I’m alone.” I get defensive. “Who do you think is here?”

“I don’t know. A teammate.” I picture Paige shrugging her shoulders, and I smile before cursing myself for being a dick.

“Sorry, no. I have my own room.”

“Why are you sorry? That’s good.”

“Good?”

“Yeah. I lied about my day.”

“You lied?”I mean, I could tell but still…

“Yes, I told you my day was okay. But it sucked. I got some bad news and while I’d usually just go to the gym or for a run, I can’t do those things now without thinking about you and… I’m not great at holding back when I want something.”

An image of Paige naked in the gym comes to mind, and I swallow a lump in my throat. “What is it you want, Paige? Do you want to talk about it?”I’m not great with advice but I can listen.“What are you holding back from?”

“You?” she whispers before sucking in a breath. “I want you to get me off, Easton. Help make my day better. Who knows, maybe it will improve yours too.”

“Fuck, Paige. You know I’m in Chicago, right?”

“I do. But I don’t need you here.”

“You don’t?”

“Nope. I just need you to tell me what to do.”

Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Easton

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