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Despite her efforts to separate us, even keeping to the edges doesn’t mean we’re invisible. It seems like each time Paige opens her mouth to say something to me, a middle-aged woman in a costume appears out of nowhere to make cryptic remarks.
“Oh Paige! So good to see you out and about! We weren’t sure if you’d want to make an appearance.”
“You’re looking adorable this evening. Glad you’re not letting anything get you down!”
“Sad to hear what happened, but you’re better off, I’m sure of it.”
These comments come from multiple guests, each one sidling up to us and patting Paige on the shoulder with sympathy clear in their eyes. My companion keeps a brittle smile on her face through all the attention and avoids meeting my gaze after the well-wisher wanders off.
“I’m sorry. I hoped they would ignore me.” Paige stares down at Pumpkin, who wandered over to us a moment ago. She maintains a laser focus on the dog’s ears, ignoring my searching look.
Worry rattles through me.
Why is everyone so concerned for Paige?My stomach clenches, and I’m no longer interested in the contents of my plate. “Is everything okay?”
Paige fiddles with the edge of her skirt, watching Pumpkin sniff my sneakers.
I want nothing more than to slide my fingers under her chin and tilt her head up until she has to look me in the eyes. Then I’d use my thumb to smooth the anxious creases in her face before leaning down to press a reassuring kiss on her sweet mouth.
My hand lifts only to drop almost immediately when we’re approached, again, by a woman dressed as Jessica Rabbit.
“Paige! You brave girl! I never liked that boy anyway. Glad to see you’re already back in the game.” The woman leans in close to whisper that last bit, but still loud enough for me to hear. She winks at me, and Paige’s cheeks light up brighter than brake lights.
“Oh! No. Please. That’s not…Dash is my friend. We’re just friends. He’s not a Martin stand-in or anything.” Paige shuts her mouth quick and grimaces as her cheeks go red.
Something begins to clarify, and the party food in my stomach suddenly isn’t sitting so well.
“Of course not dear. I just meant to say, I’m happy you’re not moping around, letting him ruin your life. He was never good enough for you, and I bet he knew it. Probably why he did it, too.”
I don’t know if this woman is cruel, or just an idiot, but every word that comes out of her mouth hits Paige like an expertly sharpened dagger. My friend, because that’s what we are now, closes her eyes even as she attempts a smile.
I’m overwhelmed with the urge to save her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.”
Her eyes latch on to me, taking a leisurely perusal of my form as if I’m an offering that belongs on the food table. My opinion of her drops lower.
“Well, Dash,” she breaths my name out in a sultry manner that makes my skin crawl, “I’m Charity Emerson.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Emerson. I’m sure we’ll see you around, but Paige and I need to head inside to feed Pumpkin.” I place my hand on Paige’s lower back, and her eyes spring open, staring up at me in surprise. I lean down until my mouth hovers just next to her ear. “Call your dog.”
“Pumpkin. Come.” She slaps a hand against the side of her thigh, and the three of us retreat from the party into the relative privacy of the house.
I set my half-eaten plate of food on the kitchen counter before turning to observe Paige as she pulls a dog biscuit from one of the cabinets and feeds it to her eager puppy.
“Paige—”
“Do you want to see something cool? I think you’ll like it.”
I guess she’s not ready to talk about what just went down outside. For now, I’ll let her avoid the subject, but I can’t help but wonder if more went on between her and Martin than a broken engagement.
“Sure. Show me something cool.”
Paige grins in relief and waves for me to follow her. Together, we navigate down a long hallway, heading toward the opposite side of the house from where the fenced in yard is. I’ve never been this way before, and I try not to stare too longingly at all the happy family photos hanging on the wall.
“You an only child?”
She turns back at my question, glancing at the picture frame I’m tapping. It’s a shot of her sitting in a beach chair, a friendlier looking version of the man I met earlier on her left, and a beautiful blonde woman with the same nose as Paige on her right.
