Page 149 of Delicate Storm

Paige: I’m just checking in. How did it go with the lawyer?

Easton: All was fine. Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Enjoy tonight

Paige: Um no. Saying it’s “fine” is the worst response you can give if you don’t want me to panic

I smile and of course Keeley notices since she’s watching my every move. “Oooh. What did Paige say?”

I shoot her a death stare before responding. “She’s asking about the talk with my lawyer. Just like you. Her dad was the one that suggested them.”

“Sal did? Did you tell him?”

“Tell him what? About Macy?”

“No, about Paige.”

“Not yet. There’s nothing to tell. She told him she was helping out a friend. Which in this case is true.”

I feel a little bad lying to everyone, including Keeley and Paige’s dad. But until things settle down for both of us, we’re keeping our relationship quiet. Mom’s the only one I’ve told. Everyone else can wait.

Keeley eyes me suspiciously just as Paige texts again.

Paige: Easton?Please

Easton: I promise. It went as well as I expected and I’d love to talk to you about it. Tomorrow

Paige: Why do I feel like you’re being cryptic?

I laugh again.Probably because I am.It’s time for a subject change.

Easton: How’s the event?

Paige: It’s fine. Or it would be if Christian wasn’t here

The fuck?He’s there?

Easton: Doesn’t he live in NY? What’s he doing there?

Paige: He wanted to see me

My body tenses as anger courses through me. I know she can handle herself, but I’m pissed off about the little fucker’s parents and what they’re doing to Paige when he’s too blind to see it. He doesn’t deserve a second of her time. And I’m choosing not to think about the fact that he has intimate photos of her on his phone. Because that’s likely to lead to me driving over there and kicking his ass. Paige doesn’t want that.

Easton: …

Paige: Before you ask why… He wants a damn photo with me so that we look amicable. He doesn’t want people to think he cheated on me

Easton: Tell him to fuck off

Easton: Better yet. Get him on the phone and I’ll tell him myself

Paige calls and my eyes flash to Keeley before I answer. “Hello.”

“You’d risk him telling everyone that we’re dating just so you can tell him to fuck off?”

“I wasn’t going to tell him who I was. Is he there?”

Paige pauses and the background music fills my ears. “Paige?”

“He’s not with me now. He’s talking to anyone that wants to listen about boring finance stuff.”

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