Page 54 of Lakesides and Longing

“No, Debbie, It’s over.”

Forever this time.

She bristled but didn’t say anything else. If it were possible to do this job without talking to her again, Blake would, but saving lives was more important than trying to avoid her.

* * *

Eight days later,Blake finally emerged from his cave. A treatment was found, and they would all breathe a little easier knowing that disease wasn’t about to be unleashed on the world.

He hopped on a plane and laid his head back on the headrest. Not only had he managed to help find the treatment, but he also managed to avoid Debbie’s advances while there. And there were a lot. She was always touching him and giggling.

As they parted ways, she kissed him on the cheek and told him she’d see him soon. She didn’t get it. But he’d been firm with her, and hopefully she wouldn’t try this again.

He was going home to the love of his life.

And he couldn’t wait.

CHAPTER39

Eight days was a long time.

Paige couldn’t sit still. She managed to get three full works of art done, but Blake wasn’t there so she couldn’t deliver anything to the shop. She kept her phone next to her and checked it no less than fifty times an hour.

She just wanted to hear from him. A text would be fine, but there was nothing. She did listen to his voicemail every night before she went to bed. She woke up with nightmares again every night, but this time Blake died in her dreams, not Emery. She just needed to hear his voice or see his face.

She hated being this needy.

She took Tria out for a walk by the beach and sat and stared out at the soft waves.

Her phone buzzed, and she jerked. She grabbed it out of her pocket.

There was a notification on her Facebook page. She rolled her eyes. That wasn’t what she’d been waiting for, but she opened it anyway. Blake had been tagged in a post.

It was a picture of him and Debbie, an old one. The only reason Paige knew that was because Blake’s hair was much longer than it was now. In the picture, Debbie had her hand on Blake’s chest, and he was staring at her like she’s the only woman in the world.

Paige quickly read the post.

The dream team has been at it again. Saving the world one cure at a time. Blakey, it was amazing working with you again and burning the midnight oil ;-). Can’t wait to see you again soon. XOXO

Paige swallowed. Her worst nightmare had come true. She should’ve known things with Blake with too good to be true. She stood, wiped her sweating palms on her jeans, and trudged back up to the house.

She would make it through this, but she had to take time to process this first.

And when he did show up, she wouldn’t allow Blake in her house.

CHAPTER40

The helicopter touched down in Paige’s yard, and the pilot handed him his phone.

He didn’t bother to turn it on. He just jogged up to the house. He stopped dead just before he reached the door. Sitting on the front porch was his suitcases and his dog.

His heart sank.

He tried the door, but it was locked. He hauled out his own keys, and while they opened the locks, Paige had thrown the slide lock. He pounded on the door.

“Paige, I don’t know what’s going on, but whatever it is we can work through it.”

There was no response.

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