Page 110 of The Logic of Loyalty

My body jolts when her voice comes from so close to me. “Yeah—” My voice cracks, so I clear my throat. “Yeah. Yes.” She’s so beautiful. Her cheeks have a slight flush to them, and her lips look plump and glossy, like she’s been running her tongue over them. I’m in trouble. This is trouble.

She sits down next to me—directly next to me—and reaches a hand out to pat my thigh. Sweet Jesus. My cock reacts because it’s Paige, so of course it does. I lean forward to disguise it.

“I need something from you, but I’m heading out to run some errands. How would you like to come over tonight? For some dinner? With the family?”

Hope builds in my chest, a feeling too that aches and heals in equal measure. “Absolutely. Yes. I would love to come for dinner.”

Paige pats my arm, her hand lingering for a second before she pulls away. “We can eat after the school board meeting. Jacob may have things he wants to do with you afterward, like games and whatnot. Do you have the whole night available?”

“100 percent.”

She gives me a shy smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “I’ll see you then.”

Chapter Thirty-Five

PAIGE

Before I left Trevor’s apartment, slightly embarrassed by my freakout, slightly turned on, and wholly confused, I got a good look at some of the other legal pads scattered around. It was Trevor’s repentance tour, planned out to the letter. Once I returned home, I spent the remainder of the day debating, then planning.

I came up with one repeating idea. I want Trevor to come home. His temporary living arrangement was a testament to his focus. He didn’t know I was coming over. He didn’t have time to plant evidence. He’s living the evidence.

So, I have a plan. And after the way last night went, that plan will include reconnecting physically and emotionally. I want him.

The school board meeting for Becky’s dismissal went flawlessly, and after I dropped Vicky and Sonya off back to their homes, I rushed back, took the world’s fastest shower, and started dinner.

By the time the bell rings and Jacob runs to the door, I have worked myself up into an anxiety-ridden sweat.

Trevor’s voice is subdued when he walks through the door. I can barely hear him greet our child, and as I stand at the stove, it makes me ache for what used to be. Part of me still anticipates him crowding me into the stove, but instead, he stands on the other side of the island, hands clasped in front of him. So unsure. “Do you want to come try a bite and let me know if I should add anything?” Trevor nods and swiftly rounds the island, drawing close to my side. “Open wide.” I lift the spoon up to him, and he takes a bite. My eyes lock on his lips, and I glide my tongue across mine.

His eyes follow the movement. “Jesus, Paige. What are you doing?”

“Dad! Come here! I have a new game I want you to play with me!”

Trevor blinks at me, running his thumb across his bottom lip before a wicked grin lights up his face. “Alright, kid, let me talk to your mom about dinner real quick. Load it up.” He leans into me and whispers, “Are you teasing me, Paige Whitaker?”

I bite my lip and shake my head, then pull away from him, flushed from my head to my toes. I’m in trouble.

Trevor snickers, then swaggers away, a new confidence in his walk that makes another twisted part of my heart loosen.

We all settled in for a family movie, and Jacob fell asleep snuggled up to his dad.

“I’m going to tuck him in,” Trevor whispers to us, lifting our son with ease. Bethany and I nod, but she stands up suddenly.

“Actually, I’m going to go to bed and watch a movie with my headphones on.” She races up the steps before the boys, leaving me in the living room on my own.

“Slick, Bethany,” I mumble, before folding and putting away the sofa throws and blankets, then heading into the dining room to start cleaning up our dishes from dinner. A familiar body brushes past mine to help load up the dirty dishes and leftovers, and together we bring it all into the kitchen.

“I’ll wipe down the table and then put away the leftovers.” I nod, suddenly nervous and unsure.

He’s back before I can reorganize my muddled mind. Damn.

“So, you said that you wanted to ask me some questions?” He sidles up next to me, taking position with a towel.

“Yeah.” I stare at the dishes in my hands, cleaning the same spot over and over again before he reaches over and snatches it from me, rinsing and drying it. I sigh and pick up a new one. “I-I know now that it wasn’t you and Krista in your car, but telling my brain to shut off …”

“If I hadn’t taken her in the first place, you wouldn’t even have to worry. If I had listened to you, to what you said in this room⁠—”

I nod because it’s true. “But you didn’t.”