Page 144 of Delicate Storm

“Well, Isaac enjoyed it.”

“He did. And I know I sound like a broken record, but he’s an amazing kid.”

“He is. And he has an amazing woman looking after him.”

“Thanks.” Paige smiles and I note there’s something shy about it when she’s usually so confident. “On that note, I’ve been thinking… You have an away game next weekend, right? I want to look after Isaac, whether I stay here with him or we come with you. Either way, just let me know.”

Her offer catches me off guard and I pause. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t. I’ve cleared my weekend, so it would be rude of you to say no.” I laugh until a thought hits me.

“You cleared your weekend?”

“Yes, from Friday to Monday.”

“But it’s your charity event?”

“So.” Her brows furrow as she shakes her head. “I’ve already done the groundwork. They don’t need me on the day.”

“Call them back and tell them you’ll be there.”

“No.”

“I’m not making you look after Isaac all weekend, and even if I did, we’re playing Monday night. So you can still go to your event on Saturday.”

“Monday night? I thought football was on Sunday.”

I bite back a smile, my gaze drawn to the adorable crease in her nose. “You really don’t follow the game, do you?”

“Not previously, no. But it’s growing on me. And since you’re playing Monday night, you can’t use my event to say no. I’ll go to the gala and be ready to help on Sunday.”

“Paige—”

“I’m helping. Don’t make me ask my dad for the details.”

My heart swells as I nod. It’s going to take time to get used to having a team player with me again. Macy stayed with Isaac when I needed her to, but she never offered and she was never this eager.

“Okay. Thank you. If you don’t mind looking after him here, I think he’ll be more comfortable. If that’s okay.”

“It’s perfect. Now enough of the ‘thank yous.’ I better go. Let you two have some time to yourself.”

“You don’t have to rush off.”

“Yes, I do. You need family time.”

The wordsyou are familypop into my head but I don’t voice them, mainly because the idea of that shocks me.

Unaware of my crazy thoughts, Paige calls out to Isaac, and he runs back into the room holding something black in his hands. “Here’s your top, Paige.”

“Oh, yes.” Paige glances down at my hoodie and laughs. “Hope you don’t mind that I borrowed this. My top got a little wet when we were playing in the sink.”

“Of course not. Anytime.” I hold back what I really want to say and nod. But after Paige says goodbye to Isaac, I walk her to the door, waiting until I’m certain Isaac’s out of earshot before I lean in. “I think you should live in my clothes.” I slip my hand under the hoodie and give her waist a squeeze. “That’s one way to get everyone to back off. To show them you’re mine.”

Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t respond, making me smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

CHAPTER FORTY

Paige

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