Irresistible In Love
Page 42

“You weren’t to blame for your father, and you weren’t to blame for any of the lies Whitney told. And you’ve supported her in every way you possibly could. Until we both realized just how bad her lies really were.” He kissed her knuckles so gently she wanted to melt into him. “God, I am so sorry for all her crap.”
“Thank you for saying that. But don’t you see? I’ve always taken her crap because it was easier than standing up, or pushing back, or going for the life and the love I truly wanted.” She shook her head, feeling the weight of all the things she hadn’t done. But that ended now. “I’m done with all that. I’m done letting fear and excuses and, most especially, guilt hold me back.”
She wouldn’t wimp out this time. Not if there was a chance that she and Evan could make things work.
She’d been a wimp nine years ago—and look how that had turned out.
It was finally time to be bold.
They’d pulled up to her condo by the time she looked him square in the eye and said, “I’d love to go to Chicago with you and your family.”
“What did I do that was good enough to deserve you, Paige?”
She smiled then, despite the heavy tension of unrequited desire in the air between them. “Everything good, Evan. Everything.”
Then she kissed him on the cheek and slipped out of the car before he could argue with her.
Her fight for his heart was definitely on.
A fight she hoped both of them would win in the end.
Chapter Twenty
They arrived at Susan and Bob’s at two thirty Saturday afternoon. “How was the flight, dear?” Susan’s smile was so bright it lit up the room.
“Good.” Evan smiled, giving her a hug.
Theresa, Tony, and Kelsey had been utterly awed by his luxurious private plane stocked with gourmet food and drinks. Evan had done his best to make them all feel comfortable, but as he had an important Maverick contract the other guys were waiting on him to review, Paige was the one who truly smoothed the way for the three newcomers.
All the while, Evan had been almost painfully aware of Paige. How good she looked in her jeans and sweater. How soft her hair was when she flipped it over her shoulder, a few strands brushing his face. How beautiful her eyes were when she smiled. How lovely the sound of her laughter. On top of that, Paige’s fragrance had been something new, light and fruity and more intoxicating than the champagne they were drinking.
Every time they’d been together since New Year’s was still fresh inside his head, his heart. It wasn’t just their attraction that drew him to her. It was the way she made him think. It was how brave she was in facing up to her past mistakes with her sister and her father. It was how confident she was that anything truly was possible.
God, how she must have suffered over that promise she’d made to her mother. He should have known there’d been something like that in her past. But she was so strong, so courageous, so caring. Take the treat she’d planned in San Francisco, suggesting they see Andy Weir together. No one else would have known how much that would mean to him. But Paige did. She was everything a man could need.
But she needed a man who was worthy of her.
And now he needed to get it together. Especially when he was in the same room with Susan.
While Bob was hanging up coats and jackets, Evan made the introductions. “Meet my brother, Tony, and my sister, Kelsey.” He felt proud saying it. Theresa had done a good job there.
“Oh my Lord.” Susan grabbed Tony’s arms, held on to him as she looked up into his face. “You’re the spitting image of Evan.” Then she took Kelsey’s hand. “You’re beautiful, honey.”
Kelsey blushed. “Thank you.”
“I can’t wait to get to know you both better. Evan is so proud of the two of you.” Then she passed them on to Bob, who gave them each a big bear hug. That was where Daniel had learned how to hug, from his dad.
“And Theresa.” She’d hung back, still shy and hesitant, despite Paige’s cheerful chatter on the flight. Susan took Theresa’s hand in both of hers. “It is so lovely to finally meet you.”
“Thank you. You too.” But when Theresa’s eyes met Evan’s again, he read her clear confusion: How can she think it’s lovely to meet me when I abandoned my son to her?
Though Theresa had heard of Susan back in the neighborhood and knew she was a good woman, she couldn’t possibly comprehend Susan’s amazing capacity to love, her willingness to forgive a wrong, her need to make things right. If it was in her power, Susan would make this right too. It was why they were here, after all.
Evan wasn’t sure anyone had that power. Not Paige. Not even Susan. No matter how good their intentions.
“Paige, honey.” Susan opened her arms again. “Come give me a hug. I haven’t seen you since last year.”
Paige laughed as they hugged. “Last year was only a week ago.”
It seemed like a lifetime. A week ago, he hadn’t kissed Paige, hadn’t held her or tasted her skin, hadn’t dreamed of her, hadn’t needed to hear her laughter more than he needed food or water or air.
And he hadn’t known he had a family besides the Mavericks.
Susan herded them into the great room. “Have you eaten?”
“You wouldn’t believe the food they served on Evan’s plane,” Kelsey said with a smile that was still more than slightly awed. “And champagne too!”