Page 36 of Anti-Player

“Such as?”

I sip my water, letting the chill of the drink wash away some of the lingering heat in my skin. Being with Paige is a workout. Which is what inspires me to say, “I miss taking Beanie for runs.”

Paige sucks at the rim of her glass. “How long has Gardenia been doing it for you?”

“Just a couple weeks, she was the final name added to the roster. When I sat down to go over my numbers, I tried to figure out what was left to cut so I could get everything done on time.”

Her frown spreads over her lovely face. “So my lovely gift did force you to change your routine.”

There's a moment of uneasy silence as we wander our own personal thoughts. I don't know hers, but I know mine. Standing straight, closing the fridge, I finish my water in a long, rejuvenating chug. “I don't mind giving up things to make my goals happen, Paige. Your suit was one of them, the Secret Reader is another. Besides, it's only temporary. The finish line is around the corner.”

She's toying with her glass, barely drinking. “I don't want you to change your life for me.”

“I understand, but...”

“The suit you designed is amazing,” she blurts, looking into my eyes. “It's the best thing anyone has done for me, Mikel. But now that it's finished, you'll have more time in your day. Don't choose me over running with your dog. Please. I don't want to be that kind of burden to your happiness.”

“You're not,” I insist. I take her water, set it on the counter, then kiss her gently. Not hot, no tongue probing or teeth grazing. It's a soft kiss meant to comfort her soul...and mine. “You'll never be a burden to me. Okay?”

She's silent. Then she puts her forehead to my chest, breathing me in. One, two, three long inhales. “Just a couple weeks until you launch your Secret Reader in stores, yeah?”

“That's right. I've got some minor fixes to do on the new model,” I admit.

Paige moves back so I can see her face. “I seriously don't want to be the thing that sidelines your success.”

“It's fine. Really. I'll pull a few late nights between now and delivery, but it'll get done.”

There's something uncertain in her beautiful eyes. The tilt of her lids, the corners of her kissable lips, they all hint at something I struggle to grasp.

It's not until later that night, long after she's gone home, and long before sleep swaddles me down, that I understand. The look on Paige's face was one of guilt.

All that talk of making time... of things holding me back...

And for some reason, she thinks she's one of them.

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