Page 57 of By Your Side
“You don’t have to be here this early,” she said, softer now.
“I do.”
Something flickered in her eyes. Not quite fear, not quite relief. “Careful,” she said. “You keep this up and people will start thinking we’re serious.”
I didn’t flinch. “I am serious.”
The jukebox shifted to a slower song, low and bluesy, and neither of us moved for a beat. Then her mouth curved in a way that told me she was fighting herself again.
“Hunter—”
“I know,” I said quietly. “You don’t have to say anything. I’m just… here. Please let me be.”
And I would be here. Tonight. Tomorrow. However long it took.
She stared at me for a long second, then glanced toward the front windows like she was checking for paparazzi. “Come with me,” she said quietly.
I followed her through the narrow hall past the jukebox hum, into the back room with the pool table. Back here, the streetlights couldn’t reach us, and neither could any wandering eyes.
She set the rag aside on the rail and leaned her hip against the table, crossing her arms. “I just didn’t want to have this conversation in front of the windows.”
I stayed a few feet away, giving her room. “What conversation?”
Her gaze flicked up to mine, cautious but clear. “That last night wasn’t a mistake.”
The words were simple, but they landed hard in my chest. “I didn’t think it was.”
“I just…” She exhaled, uncrossing her arms like she was letting herself unclench. “I need you to understand that I’m not quite ready for this to be public. I’m barely ready for it to bereal.And I can’t have Eli twisting it into something ugly in front of the kids. I want this to be good. I want this to be joyful and dreamy and romantic, and I’m afraid he’ll try to ruin it with his bullshit. I don’t want people commenting on my love life like I’m doing something scandalous. This is not sordid. This isn’t some cheap fling. It’syou, Hunter. You mean something to me, and I don’t want town gossip cheapening what we have.”
I nodded once. “Then we keep it between us. For now. On your terms.”
That earned me the smallest, most grateful smile. “Even if we deny everything, or at least don’t confirm it, I don’t want to stop, though.”
“Good,” I said, stepping closer until I could rest my hands lightly on the edge of the table beside her. “Because I don’t, either.”
Her fingers brushed mine, tentative but warm. “Last night was exactly what I needed. But it’s not just about needingit, you know, sex. It’syouthat I need. I want you. Only you and I don’t want anyone else, okay?”
“I know,” I said, my voice low. “I feel the same way. You’re it for me, Paige. I’m in this.”
She hesitated, her thumb still moving over my knuckles. “But, promise me, if you ever get tired of being with me—if you want out—I need you to tell me. Tell me before anyone else finds out, okay?” Her voice was steady, but the fear in it was unmistakable.
I caught the flicker of pain in her eyes, and suddenly it made sense. Eli had left scars—he’d cheated, lied, and made her feel small, and I could see now just how deep that damage ran. She shook her head, looking down. “I don’t want to ruin this with doubts. I’m sorry. I know I’m scared, but I have to be honest with you.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I told her. “Not if things get messy. Not if Eli’s shadow hangs over us. Not if the whole damn town tries to make a show out of it. I’m here.” I slid my hand over hers, letting my thumb rest over the gentle pulse at her wrist. “Paige,” I murmured, my voice steady and soft, “I’m not going anywhere. I promise you, no rumor or sideways glance could ever change how I feel about you.” The ache that lingered in her eyes began to soften, and I wanted nothing more than to guard this fragile hope between us. “You’re safe with me—always. I want to be the person you can trust, no matter what.”
She looked up at me, and for a moment, the uncertainty faded, replaced by something tender and genuine. I drew her closer, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Let’s make this ours. Just you and me, as it should be—no distractions, no one else’s opinions. I want to be with only you, I swear.”
Her throat bobbed like she was swallowing words she didn’t quite trust herself to say. Then she reached for my hand—no hesitation this time—and laced our fingers together. “I want you too. Scared or not, I’m in this.”
I let her hold on as long as she needed.
Her hand stayed in mine, thumb brushing over the back of my knuckles like she was memorizing the shape of me.
I shifted closer, close enough that our knees bumped again. “You sure you want me this close right now?”
Her mouth tipped up at one corner. “If I didn’t, you’d already know.”
I gave her a slow smile, then set my free hand on her hip—just enough weight for her to feel it, to give her time to pull back if she wanted. She didn’t. Instead, she tilted toward me, her breath warm when it hit my throat.
