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The three of us were perched on stools in front of the bar, and Blake was behind it. The rest of the family would be filtering in soon.
“Impressive,” Paige said. “You also own restaurants, right? Do you plan to franchise those as well?”
Blake nodded. “Yes, we do. Eventually. We actually wanted to start by franchising the restaurants, but quality control is more hassle, and profit margins are higher for bars, so we’ll stick to them for now. What can I get you to drink?”
Jace was studying the menu. “I’m usually not a cocktail kind of guy, but these look good.”
Paige propped an elbow on the bar and parked her chin in her palm. “Aren’t you supposed to stay away from sugary things during the season? Val wouldn’t give you dessert yesterday at dinner.”
“You’ve been around my sisters for too long,” Jace grumbled. “One drink won’t throw away my diet. But I’d better have it before the rest of the gang arrives. I can’t fight off everyone at the same time.”
Paige grinned. “I can still tell on you.”
Jace turned to me. “Will you have my back at some point?”
By way of answering, I drew my chair closer to Paige’s and kissed her bare shoulder. “Brother, I’m protecting my own interests. I’m with Paige on this one.”
She gave me a warm smile, looking at me with those soulful eyes. I’d felt a change in her over the past few days, a reticence that hadn’t been there before, and I couldn’t help thinking that she might be sensing my own turmoil. Ever since my accident, the idea that I might not be what Paige needed in her life wouldn’t leave me. Seeing her so hurt at the hospital gutted me. I’d watched her walk away from a job she loved to dedicate herself to a project that was dear to her, all with little hesitation, even though it was a big change. She’d been threatened with a knife that night at the restaurant, and she hadn’t even shed a tear. Paige was a strong, tough woman, and yet she’d been inconsolable at the hospital. I’d put her through that, and the thought did not sit well with me. I wasn’t sure what to do about it either.
“Blake, where is the ladies’ room?” Paige asked. My cousin gave her instructions, and she hopped off the chair, swinging those sinful hips as she crossed the bar.
As Blake prepared Jace’s drink, I noticed my brother was scrutinizing me.
“What crawled up your ass?” he asked.
I pointed at my arm, which was still bandaged. He didn’t buy it.
“No, it’s something else too. You haven’t tried to make even one lousy bet with me since you arrived, and you’ve almost been mute.”
“Just give him an hour,” Blake interjected. “We’ll get some cocktails into him. That’ll loosen his tongue.”
“So just because I don’t fight you for air time, it means something is wrong?” I would be annoyed if he wasn’t spot-on. In my family, nonverbal communication was more telling than actual words.
“Are things between you and Paige okay?” Jace went straight in for the kill. I wasn’t sure what to answer, but Jace picked up on my hesitation.
“They’re not,” he said. A statement, not a question.
Blake shoved a cocktail in front of Jace.
“Things have been off,” I said reluctantly. “I’m not sure this is the right thing—”
Blake cleared his throat. Jace turned in his seat and straightened as if he’d been electrocuted. I turned a second later. Shit. Paige had returned from the bathroom. And by the red color in her cheeks, she’d overheard at least part of the conversation.
“I’m going in the back to sort through some supplies that were delivered this morning,” Blake said smoothly.
“I’ll give you a hand,” my brother added. They went out quietly. Paige hadn’t moved. I walked over to her, despite the fact that she was shaking her head.
“Paige, I’m not sure what you heard.”
“Everything you told Jace.” Her voice was steely. “And I have to say, I always thought you’d have the guts to tell me to my face if something was wrong.”
I swallowed, searching for the right words. “Paige, there’s nothing wrong, per se... I just....”
I reached out a hand, but she stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. I pointed to the bandaged arm, trying to find the right words. The trouble was, I didn’t know what the right words were. I wanted Paige in my life more than I wanted anything else, but I felt guilty for having put her through a lot of worry. “At the hospital, you were so worried. That pain I saw on your face.
.. to know I caused it pains me. I’m afraid you’ll come to resent me for it.”
She dropped her hands by her sides. “I was scared. So what? It’s human. You said so yourself.”
