Page 160 of Champagne Nights

Ben

It was ironic that Paisley and I both were both craving pizza, so we ended up at Caioti’s Pizza Café in Studio City for dinner. After placing our order, Paisley looked at me and cocked her head.

“Would you like to come to my parents’ house for Thanksgiving?”

“Seriously?”

“My mom invited you, but I told her you’d want to spend it with your family. But you didn’t seem too thrilled about going to your aunt’s house. So, if you don’t want to go there, then my family would love to have you.”

“I just told my mom last night over the phone that I wasn’t going because I’m not even going to get home until Thursday morning from my two-day shift. The last thing I want to do is drive to Santa Barbara after working for two days straight. So yes, Ms. Logan, I would love to join you and your family for Thanksgiving.”

She smiled as she reached across the table and placed her hand on mine. I wanted nothing more than to spend the holiday with her. Something was happening between us, and it was happening fast. I was falling for her more every day, which freaked me out. But that dream kept running through my head repeatedly, which comforted me. My phone started ringing in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I saw Lindsey was calling.

“Hey, Lindsey,” I answered.

“Hi, Ben. Listen, I’m calling to ask if I could send Leah out to L.A. for a couple of weeks. I have to fly to Arizona for a two-week job training program, and the manager said if they like me and I do well, they’ll make me a permanent employee at their company.”

“What kind of job?”

“It’s for a systems analyst for a bank. I’ve been sending out resumes since I graduated college, and this company in Phoenix contacted me. Ben, this could be big for Leah and me. It’s a salaried, full-time position with amazing benefits. I would totally understand if you couldn’t have her stay with you.”

“No. No. She can stay with me. It’ll be great to see her, plus there’s someone I want her to meet.” I smiled as I looked at Paisley.

“Oh really? Is there someone special?”

“You could say that. When is she flying in?”

“She was hoping she could spend Thanksgiving with you. I have a friend in Phoenix that I’m staying with while I’m there, and she’s having Thanksgiving and wants me to come on Thursday. I would have Leah fly with me into Phoenix and then put her on a plane to LAX. Her flight would arrive at seven a.m.”

“That’s perfect because I leave the station at six, and her flight will be arriving by the time I get to the airport.”

“Are you sure it’s not an inconvenience?”

“Not at all. I love Leah to death. You know that, and I miss my sister. What about my dad?”

“She said she’d visit him but didn’t want to stay at the house. You know you are a lot closer than he and she are.”

“I know. I’m spending Thanksgiving with Paisley because the parents are going to Santa Barbara, so I’m sure it’ll be okay if Leah comes with me,” I said as I looked at Paisley and made a face. She nodded her head and smiled.

“Great. Leah will be thrilled. Thank you, Ben. This means the world to both of us.”

“No problem, Lindsey. I’ll be at the airport Thursday morning to pick Leah up.”

I hung up the phone and thanked Paisley. “Are you sure your mom won’t mind one more guest for Thanksgiving?”

“Nah,” she said with a wave of her hand. “She’ll love it. She loves having new people come to the house.”

“I’m excited for you to meet her.”

“I can’t wait to meet her. But I will be honest, I feel like I won’t be able to communicate with her.”

“Don’t worry. She can read lips.” I glanced at the time and saw it was seven forty. “We better head to the meeting. You’re still up for going, right?”

“Sure.” She smiled.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Paisley

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