“You two are making fun of me,” Olivia complains.
I grab her hand. “Olivia, I know we tease because we never see you out of a business suit, but I promise you that I’ve told Geary all about you, and he really is good looking. He’s a good guy and works for Derek. He has a dirty mouth and I bet it gets dirtier the hotter the situation is, if you know what I mean.” I grin knowing I hav
e her. “He’ll burn your panties right off.”
“Oh, can we not talk about sex,” Paige complains.
Charlotte, Olivia, and I glance at each other before turning our eyes onto Paige.
“You’re alone with sex on legs?” Charlotte states.
Paige blushes and looks to be squirming where she sits, bundled up on the sun lounger. “It’s not like that with Seth.”
“Excuse me, but no guy puts his life on hold without real feelings being involved,” I drawl. “That man is in love with you, so open your eyes Paige, and give him a break.”
Tears swiftly come into Paige’s eyes, catching us all off guard. It takes a moment but then Charlotte moves to go to her. Paige shakes her off. “I’m okay. I think.” She gives us a nervous laugh through her tears.
“I thought my treatment was over with when Seth brought me out to his family beach house.” Paige sighs. “I love it here. It’s peaceful.” She’s quiet so we sit in silence. “Then my doctor called and gave me the news that I had to do a round of intense chemo.” She reaches up toward her head but drops her hand back down. “Seth refused to leave me but look at me. I’m not the same person who started this journey. I get sick so easily. I don’t have the strength to go for walks along the beach, and my hair is falling out. How can he look at me? He can’t possibly find me attractive.” She hiccups on a sob.
What Paige doesn’t know is that Seth is standing a few feet behind her lounge chair. He swallows a few times, his eyes never moving from Paige. Crossing to Paige, and much to her shock, he sits on the side of her lounge chair, taking her hands into his. “You have a hard head Paige McKenzie. I’ve been telling you how I feel without actually saying the words for a long time now. Your hair doesn’t make you Paige McKenzie. That’s inside of you. I’m not going to run a mile because you wear headscarfs or even a wig. I’m not going to say exactly how I feel because I don’t think you’re ready to hear it, but I am going to tell you that I think you’re beautiful both inside and out.” He quickly kisses her on the lips and leaves as silently as he arrived.
We sit in stunned silence while watching Paige caress along her lips where Seth’s had just been. I slip my hand into her open palm resting open on her lap and lightly squeeze. “I told you that he loves you.” I smile through my own tears. “He even knows you well enough to know you have a hard head.”
“I know right,” Paige laughs, swiping at her tears. Once she’s calmed down, she looks at us one at a time, her gaze serious. “There is something I need to do without Seth being with me.”
I frown having no clue as to what that could be when she continues, “I want you all to take me to the hairdressers.” She inhales and lets out a shaky breath. “I want it all off.” She swallows hard. “I can’t do this alone.”
Swallowing back tears, I realize that the one person she doesn’t want there is the one person who needs to be there. “Paige,” I say softly, “if Seth isn’t there I have a feeling that it might hurt his feelings.”
She shakes her head, but I continue anyway, “It will. He’s been here for you every step of the way, you can’t shut him out now. Do you really want to shut him out now?”
Tears pool in her eyes. “No.”
“I’ll go and arrange it,” Charlotte offers.
Olivia adds, “I’ll help you.”
They both need a moment and I don’t blame them because I do too, except I don’t get one.
“They ran away,” Paige comments. “I wish I could do that sometimes.” She shrugs. “I’m constantly asking, why me, but I haven’t gotten an answer yet.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Then tell me about Derek.” She smiles.
“He’s amazing, Paige. I’m in love with him, but Tanner isn’t happy because of the age gap. He wants his father with someone of a similar age. It hurts, and I know it’s hurting Derek too. All these years, it’s always been him and Tanner. It must be weird for him.”
“Sirena has never been happier, and it’s all down to Garrett. If they can make it work, and be so in love, then I don’t see why Derek and you can’t.” She smiles. “Tanner is a great guy and I’m sure he just needs more time to adjust.”
“I’m hoping so,” my words drift off when I watch Seth walking toward us.
“I believe we’re having a trip to the hair dressers.” He grins, but Paige looks horrified.
Seth crouches down and stares at Paige. “We’re doing this together, whether you like it or not. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.” He kisses her on the cheek and scoops her up into his arms. “We’ll meet you in the car.”
Sighing heavily, I watch him carry her inside to get ready and I can’t help feeling my heart swell in my chest.
“I know right,” Olivia whispers. “He’s so sweet and kind to her.” She glances at me, swiping at a tear. “We’re ready to go.”