Page 50 of Lakesides and Longing

“It’s still insensitive.” Donna frowned.

“It’s okay. I’ve made my peace with it. If he hadn’t died, we would’ve gotten divorced. He was cheating on me.” Anger mixed with guilt still raged every time she thought about it.

A collective gasp went through them all. Then Stormy giggled. “It’s not funny. I’m sorry. But it’s just so absurd. He cheated on you? Like he had it so good. I fully expected you to wake up one day and realize how much better you were than him. Him cheating on you just seems ridiculous.”

Paige hadn’t realized her friends felt that way about him, but it wasn’t a good marriage. She knew that now. She also knew he wasn’t a good guy. Not only was he a cheating bastard, but he was also overbearing and superficial.

“Yeah, well. I was blind.”

Stormy scooted closer to her. “Enough about him. Tell us more about Mr. Muscles there.”

“He’s everything Emery was not. He’s kind and caring. He cooks for me, and he likes my art. He never judges me for all my weird grief symptoms. He’s just there. I’m absolutely in love with him. But I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. For him to leave me or do something super douchey. I dunno. I guess I feel like I don’t deserve him.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Stormy said. “You deserve love like that more than anyone else I know.”

Paige hoped Stormy was right because she didn’t feel like she deserved it at all.

CHAPTER36

Blake was ready for Paige to come home.

She’d sent him silly pictures and sappy drunk texts. They Facetimed every night so she could feel like he was sleeping with her even though he wasn’t. He missed her more than he’d thought he would. This was an unfamiliar feeling for him. He never missed Debbie when they were apart. Every time they broke up, he mourned the loss of their relationship, but this longing to just have someone near was new.

He picked up the phone and dialed Lukas.

“What’s up? Is Paige okay?”

“Oh, yeah. She’s fine. She’s in Vegas with her artist friends.”

“And you didn’t go with her?”

“It was a girls’ weekend.”

“She hasn’t done one of those since Emery died.” Lukas’ voice dropped a little.

“I know.”

“You’ve been good for her.”

“Thanks. I’ve missed her while she’s been gone.” Blake rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn’t sure how Lukas would take the next thing he asked. “So…I know your dad is probably the one I should be asking, but I thought it would be more appropriate for me to ask you instead.”

“Ask me what?”

“Permission to marry Paige.”

Lukas went very quiet for a few seconds. “Have you asked her yet?”

“No. Well, yeah, but not very seriously. She wants a big to-do. But I didn’t want to do it without your permission.” Blake didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize his friendship with Lukas so he needed this.

“Of course he’ll give you it,” Tess yelled from somewhere near Lukas.

Blake chuckled.

“I’ve only ever wanted my sister to be happy. You make her happy. So yeah, marry her.”

Blake let out a breath of relief. “Thanks, man. I’m not sure what I’ll do for the proposal yet, but I’ll probably need your help. Is that okay?”

“Of course. But just remember we’ve got a baby due soon, when you’re doing your planning.”

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