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“Probably zero.” I stab at another giant bite of heaven. “He’s a corporate lawyer.”
“I don’t want you moving to Chicago.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I tell her, “I don’t want to move either, but what if it’s my only shot?”
“What about Tim?” she wants to know.
That’s the question. WhataboutTim? Regardless of what he says, I’m pretty sure he’s still hung up on his ex-wife. As such, dating him feels like a setup for failure. “You dated Tim, so you know he’s not really looking.”
“That was months ago, before I met Jamie,” she says. “Surely he’s ready by now.”
“The only reason he agreed to come on the show was to make Eva jealous.”
“Do you remember my first engagement?” Missy was engaged twice. First to a cheater and then to a guy who died. Talk about tragedy. I nod my head, so she continues, “That was five years ago, and I still dream about getting revenge.”
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“I’m not exactly proud of it,” she says before adding, “Tim wasmarriedto Eva, so his need for closure is a lot bigger than mine was.”
“I do like him,” I confess. “I just don’t trust his motives.”
“He’s a great guy,” Paige tells me. “And I think he was probably a great husband.”
I feel the need to point out, “But he didn’t askmeout. He asked Cami.”
“Probably because he doesn’t think he stands a chance with you.”
“Why would he think that? He knows I’m serious about finding someone.” The insecure part of me thinks that maybe he remembers more of my teenage years than he’s letting on. I mean, who wants to date the girl who wore a body brace? Talk about ruining his cool image.
Missy exhales loudly. “People tend to guard their hearts when they think the risk of heartbreak is too great.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I think Tim might be afraid you could break his heart.”
“What about the risk of him breakingmyheart?” I want to know.
She takes a sip of her coffee before answering, “I think you two need to confront your feelings and then decide if you think a future together is worth the risks.”
The thing is, Tim and I are friends, and while we like each other, I’m not sure he has deeper feelings for me. Also, at this point it might be just as easy for me to fall in love with Fielden as it would be for me to fall for Tim. And that way, I’d still get to keep Tim as a friend.
That’s what I’m telling myself anyway.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
TIM
I waited in my office for two hours on Sunday, hoping Paige would show up after brunch. She didn’t. Her lack of interest makes it clear she doesn’t share the feelings I’m starting to have for her. Which in turn makes me reluctant to endanger our friendship by telling her what’s been going on in my mind. Having said that, I don’t want to be her friend if it means having to watch her date a butthead like Fielden.
Paige is at the forefront of my thoughts for the next two days. I’ve been tempted to text her multiple times to see how she’s doing, but I talk myself out of it every time. I figure it’s just as easy for her to contact me as it is for me to contact her. Also, the way I see it, the ball is in her court.
By the time Tuesday afternoon rolls around, I’m in my office, staring out into space—which I’ve been doing a lot this week. Trina knocks on the door before walking in and announcing, “We have a small problem.”
I motion toward one of the chairs in front of my desk for her to sit, but she chooses not to. “We’ve scheduled your date with Cami at the same time we booked another couple.”
“Do you want me and Cami to reschedule?” I ask.
She shakes her head. “Cami and Fielden both had to come in from Chicago for tonight’s taping. I’d feel bad if either of them had to make an unnecessary trip.”
