Paige hadn’t considered that. “Did he tell you that?”
“He didn’t have to,” Skye said. “Despite my initial reaction, I’m not that surprised this is happening between you two. Y’all have been close for a long time, closer than most agent-client relationships. I believe that your obligations and his job have kept certain feelings at bay. But they’ve been there. They’re not new.”
Paige sighed. “Facts.”
“Thanks for admitting that and not feeding me a line of bullshit that I would’ve been forced to call you out on.”
Laughing, Paige said, “You’re crazy.”
“I’m real,” Skye countered. “Anyway, I’m just going to say this. If you’re not sure if things can go back to the way they were, I would encourage you to have a frank discussion with Andrew about expectations. And if you decide to do this, three words: Keep. It. Quiet. At least until you’re back at work and this whole divorce thing blows over.”
Swallowing, Paige nodded. Her mother had told her the same thing about managing expectations earlier. And their relationship was nowhere near the public outing stage, so she didn’t have a problem with that request. “Okay, got it.”
“Good. The last thing you need is more headlines. Trust me, they’ll find a way to spin this negatively.”
“I know.”
“Now, is this your number? Can I call you if I need you?”
Paige giggled. “Yes. Please call me if there’s something you think I should know.”
“I’m not going to bother you unless I have to,” Skye assured her. “Now that I know you’re okay, I’ll continue to handle things on my end. Are you checking your email?”
“I am.”
“I’ve already sent you several press releases. I’m assuming they’re okay.”
“Of course,” Paige said. “I know you’re on top of it.”
Over the next few minutes, Skye caught Paige up on several things. When they hung up, Paige contacted Tanya and Chastity to let them know she was alright. Business done, Paige stepped out on the patio. The weatherman had forecasted another severe thunderstorm, so she’d already ordered groceries and prepared for a potential power outage. She stared out over the lake. As peaceful as she felt out there, she knew she couldn’t hide out forever. It was time to start living her life again. If that included Andrew at her side as more than her agent, she had to be ready for everything that entailed.
* * *
It was late. But Andrew couldn’t let another night pass without talking to Paige—in person. It had been five days since they’d seen each other. Phone conversations and video chats were good and all, but they had things to discuss that shouldn’t be discussed over the phone. So after he’d visited his mother in the hospital, he’d hopped in his rental and made the drive back to South Haven.
The storm was already underway when he pulled into the long driveway. The house was dark, though, and he wondered if she’d lost power. He ran up to the front door and let himself in with the spare key she’d given him. Dropping his bag near the front door, he kicked his shoes off and walked through the house, noting the dim light in the kitchen and the soft jazz playing.Power’s still on.
He spotted a bottle of wine on the counter and the iPad on the kitchen table, and went to search for her. After checking upstairs, he headed back to the kitchen. Lightning lit up the sky, followed closely by a loud crash of thunder. The rain picked up, pounding the house. He approached the window, peering out at the lake. That’s when he spotted her, sitting in her chaise under the awning, watching the storm. A glass of wine dangled from her fingers as she bounced her bare feet. There was no way she could hear the music in the house with the storm raging outside, but he knew she liked to sing—badly—to the tunes in her head.
Andrew took his socks off and stepped out onto the patio. As he neared her, he was struck by the sight in front of him. He’d expected her to have on her signature sweats and T-shirt, but she had on a long, sheer nightgown.Shit, I’m in trouble.
He circled the chaise and stood in front of her, not even caring that the rain fell on his head. She didn’t care either because she was soaked. He took her in, his gaze traveling from her feet to her legs to the low-cut vee in her gown.Perfect. Her eyes were closed and she had a soft smile on her full lips.
“Hey?” he called.
As if she wasn’t even surprised he was there, she glanced up at him. Her smile lit the area around them. “Andrew?” She jumped up and hugged him. “You’re here.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “How are you?”
“I’m good now.” She leaned back. “How’s your mom?”
His mother had a few tough days. The doctor had a difficult time managing her pain, and as a result, she’d had to stay in the hospital a little longer. “She’s hanging in there. Being bossy, trying to hook us up with nurses.”
She arched a brow. “Really? Nurses, huh?”
He searched her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Yeah,” he whispered.
“I’m trying to figure out how I feel about that,” she admitted, her gaze dropping to his mouth.
