Page 66 of Heartstrings & Horizons
My eyes bug out of my face. I’ve never really ventured into the darker genres, except for the occasional SJ Tilly mafia romance, and the premise of multiple partners has never really spoken to me, but I’mnot one to yuck anyone’s yum.
Sending my trepidation, she launches into a diatribe about the benefits of expanding your horizons, and I can’t seem to find a single argument to refute her claims. By the end of her speech, we’re exchanging phone numbers so she can send me some book recs.
“Well, I have to get this little love home for a nap before she has a visitation with her dad this afternoon and, as usual, I’m dreading it.”
She places her hands over the little girl's ears who seems completely unfazed by it. “He’s an absolute piece of shit, but we’re still waiting for some paperwork to be filed with the county courthouse.”
I love how open she is about her life — the complete antithesis to my closed off demeanor. Before I can respond, she fills the silence, “It was nice seeing you, Paige. I’ll text you those book recs later!”
She raises from her spot on the couch and pulls me into a hug. I momentarily stiffen, but I don’t get away with it. “One thing you’re going to learn about me is I’m a hugger. Get used to it.” I laugh and resign myself to the embrace. Rylin offers me a high five before she takes her mom’s hand, offering me a silent wave over her shoulder as they walk out onto the sidewalk.
As I peruse the contemporary romance shelves, I find myself smiling ear to ear, recalling the events of the morning. Oak Ridge is feeling more and more like home and I’m dreading the day that I have to go back to my hometown, and my mom’s judgmental tirades and icy glares. I’m snapped out of my thoughts when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
Cade: Almost done with work. Need anything?
Paige: Nope. I’m at Chapters, meet me here?
Cade: See you in a few.
I continue browsing the stacks when two strong arms wrap around my waist, enveloping me in the familiar leather and sandalwood scent that I’ve come to associate with comfort. “Hey Sunshine.”
It’s disgusting how those two little words can make my knees weak — or maybe it’s just the effect of the man behind them.
“Hey Cowboy,” I respond a little breathlessly. He spins me in his arms and plants a gentle kiss on my forehead. I never understood the appeal of forehead kisses until Cade. Now I don’t think I can ever live without them. The simple gesture sets off the butterflies that have taken up residence in my belly.
We pay for the small stack of books that I picked out, including the dark romance novel that Ivy suggested for a buddy read. Cade ushers me out to the truck and we make the short trek back to the cabin;home.
Cade
Having Paige here with me feels so right. We’ve settled into a comfortable routine and it feels like she belongs here in Oak Ridge — with me.
“Hey, baby. I’m home,” I call into the foyer.
Paige was still asleep when I left to grab us some breakfast from Rosie’s this morning. She looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake her. I thought for sure she’d be awake by now based on the routine we've fallen into the last few days, but the house is eerily quiet. Not even Goose arrives to greet me. I leave the takeout boxes on the counter and trudge up the stairs. I’m expecting to hear the shower when I reach the top, but there’s nothing but silence.
“Paige? Are you up?” I hear a quiet groan from the direction of the bedroom and I’m immediately concerned. She’s never slept this late before. Walking into our room, I notice the bed is disheveled and Paige is nowhere to be found. I round the corner into the bathroom where my girl is hunched over the toilet with tears in her eyes, her curls sticking to her forehead.
“Baby, what happened?”
“Not feeling so good.” Her voice is quiet and listless. She dry heaves over the toilet but nothing comes out. Crouching beside her, I take the scrunchie off my wrist, the one I stole after our weekend in Toronto, and carefully tie her hair back for her in a sloppy bun. She gently lays her head on my shoulder as I gently stroke her back. I can feel the heat radiating off her skin.
“You’re burning up. We need to get some medicine in your system.”
“K.”
“I’m going to help you up now, ok?” She nods and I place my hands under her arms, lifting her just enough so she can sit on the toilet. I bring myself to a standing position before I scoop her into my arms bridal style and carry her back to the bed, propping her against the pillows lining the headboard. I cup her face and kiss her clammy forehead.
“I’ll be right back.”
I take a quick walk downstairs to the kitchen, nearly tripping over Goose on the stairs before returning with a glass of cold water, 2 ibuprofen, and a bucket lined with a grocery bag, just in case. She takes the medicine without argument and lays her head back against the pillows, closing her eyes.
“Do you want to watch a movie?”
She gives me a halfhearted nod. I snag the remote from my nightstand, knowing exactly which movie to put on. Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring is her comfort movie, so I press play on the extended edition, then stride over to the dresser to put on some sweatpants and a tee. I don’t intend to leave her side today, so I text Dean to cancel our lunch plans.
Cade: Raincheck. Paige is sick.
Dean: Y’all need anything?
