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“You naked and wet next to me, or tickles. I need to think about this.” Taking a page from her book, Scott slipped a hand under her shirt and tickled her stomach. “I’ll put some serious thought into it while I cook you dinner.”
Scott set down the French bread and salad. He didn’t cook often, but he enjoyed doing it when he had the time. Plus making them dinner tonight allowed them to stay in.
Paige followed him from the kitchen to the dining room table. She’d kept him company while he prepared their meal, something he hoped she’d be doing a lot more of in the future. Unfortunately, depending on what happened with Nicole and how Paige took the news, she might not be back here again. He’d thought about telling her tonight about Nicole’s visit and the possibility he had a son. After a lot of going back and forth, he’d decided to wait. Hopefully, the test results would come back, and Jordan would be the father, making everyone concerned happy. If that happened, he wouldn’t need to get involved. He had his fingers crossed. At the same time, his conscience demanded he tell Paige everything if it came back Jordan wasn’t the father, and he had to get tested.
He should know soon. Nicole expected the results any day.
“You’re full of surprises.” Paige set down the wine she’d carried in. “Any other secrets you want to tell me about?”
Looking away, he pulled out her chair. “I play the piano.” He gestured toward the table. “Have a seat and I’ll serve.”
“Me too. And the guitar. Joe plays the drums. We used to joke about starting a rock band. Unfortunately, neither of us can sing. Not that it ever stopped me from doing it.”
Scott let thoughts of Nicole fade from his mind. Wasting time on them wouldn’t make the possible situation go away. “Can’t be any worse than me. Both my sisters have great voices though.”
Over dinner, Paige filled him in on the craziness at work. He didn’t know how she did it. He wouldn’t make it a single day as a nurse. Some people might say the same about what he did; wearing a suit and sitting behind a desk wasn’t for everyone either. His cousins Jake and Brett were both perfect examples of that. They’d opted for careers that kept them away from Sherbrooke Enterprises and corporate America.
“Did you make this too?” She eyed the dessert he carried in after he cleared away the dinner dishes.
“Baking and I don’t get along. This I ordered and picked up on my way home.” He passed her a slice of the chocolate decadence cake before setting his plate down.
She didn’t waste any time reaching for her fork. “Mom and Dad want to meet you. When I saw Mom Wednesday, I told her maybe next weekend. Does that sound okay?”
For the second time tonight, he intentionally looked at something other than her. “Sure. Maybe —” The buzz from his intercom interrupted him. The only company he expected today sat next to him. “Be right back.” He kissed her check before heading for the kitchen and the closest intercom.
Could it be a cousin downstairs, or maybe one of his sisters? None usually stopped by unannounced, but maybe one had made an unexpected trip into the city. It couldn’t be Dylan or Callie. Both had visited his apartment enough times that all the security guards recognized them. The same was true for his parents. “Yes,” he said, pressing the button on the intercom.
“Mr. Belmont, there is a Nicole Sutton here asking to come up.”
Thanks to the open floor plan the security guard’s voice carried across the apartment.
“Is it okay to allow her upstairs?” the guard asked, and Scott wished he’d used the intercom in the bedroom instead.
Paige held her fork over her plate and stared at him. Looked like he was telling her everything tonight whether he was ready to or not. Damn, why couldn’t Nicole have called instead?
“It’s fine. Send her up.” He released the button and got ready for some questions.
Scott didn’t wait long.
“We’re having company tonight?” Paige’s forehead scrunched into a frown. “Who is she? The name sounds super familiar.”
“An ex-girlfriend.” There was no point in lying. It would all come out soon anyway. “We dated for a few months last summer and fall. I broke up with her in November.”
She put down the fork, a chunk of chocolate cake still on it. Scott took that as a bad sign.
“She won’t be here long. Promise.” At least he hoped.
His doorbell rang, ending any further conversation or questions, although he expected he’d get plenty when Nicole left. Put in a similar situation, he’d have a lot to say if Paige’s ex showed up at her house unexpectedly.
Tonight’s outfit resembled the one she’d worn on her last visit, except rather than extra short shorts, Nicole wore a tight black skirt that barely reached midthigh. She’d paired it with a belly-baring cropped white top and high-heeled sandals. No one would ever guess the woman had given birth a few weeks ago.
“Hi, I hope this isn’t a bad time.” She stepped inside before he invited her in. “I was in the area when I got Jordan’s call and figured I’d stop and see if you were home. Do you have any more of the wine I had Wednesday, because I’d love a glass? If not another kind will do.” She glanced over her shoulder at him. He still stood with his hand on the door handle. “Have you been cooking again? It smells amazing in here. What did you make tonight?”
“Paige and I were having dinner,” he said, the moment Nicole paused long enough for him to speak.
Nicole spun on her heel. “Sorry, if I’d known you had company I wouldn’t have come.”
“You’re here.” Scott released the door handle. “Let me introduce you to my girlfriend,” he said, unclenching his jaw and moving it from side to side. His teeth were never going to be the same again. He walked past Nicole, assuming she’d follow him.
