“Well
, get some rest, babe.”
She stands from the couch and walks me to the door. As I open the front door, she grabs my hand and turns me to face her. She crashes her lips against mine. Her kiss is so damn passionate that my cock is beginning to stiffen. Talk about terrible timing. She breaks the kiss and I’m out of breath. I know what I’ll be doing when I get home to relieve this issue.
“Goodnight, Austin,” she says as I step out of the door.
“Goodnight, Paige.” I knew things were only going to get better.
Chapter 29
Paige
Things have been so strange but in a good way. I was nervous to let Austin deep into my life, but now he knows everything and still wants to be around, well, that speaks for itself. I’ve liked him since the night at the bar and when he asked me out, it did nothing but make my heart soar. I’m happy things are finally looking up for Darla and me.
Austin left a few minutes ago. I keep replaying the little bit of time he was here over and over again in my head. He said certain things that just keep sticking out and the butterflies in my stomach are fluttering around. The way he said he doesn’t know much about love but he’d love me with everything he has, well, no one has loved me since Brendan years ago. I wasn’t sure I’d ever hear words like that again. I like Austin a lot. He seems to make all my bad moments turn good. But I’m not sure about love, not yet anyways.
I go take a shower and afterwards climb into my bed. As I’m making sure my alarm is set, my phone vibrates and Austin’s name pops up. I grin as I tap the message to read it.
Austin: I wanted to tell you goodnight again, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.
Paige: Goodnight, Austin!
I set the phone down one last time and close my eyes. It’s not long before I’m finally asleep and I don’t wake until my alarm goes off.
***
I set my purse and keys inside my locker in the breakroom and before I shut it, I text Austin really quick. It’s early so I doubt he’s awake, but at least he’ll get it when he wakes up. As I close my locker, I can’t keep the grin off of my face. I turn around and nearly bump into Nora.
“Hey stranger, what’s been going on?” she greets me with her cup of coffee in her hand.
“Hey, it’s been really crazy lately. I have so much to fill you in on,” I tell her.
“Spill it then, Paige, because I’m curious!”
I begin by telling her about how Austin found out about Darla and then the conversation Brendan and I had. I leave nothing out as I tell her about the park and then lunch where Brendan gave me that back child support check. Her eyes widen, but I keep on with the rest of the events that have taken place, including the part where Austin asked me to be his.
Nora’s jaw is on the floor. I’m waiting for her to speak and finally she does. “Oh my gosh! I was seriously not expecting any of that!”
“I know, right? Brendan was supposed to be moving, but he told me he turned down the job because he wants to get to know Darla now. I’m probably insane for letting my guard down so easily, but why shouldn’t they have the chance to get to know each other? She’s practically infatuated with him right now.”
We begin walking out of the breakroom and into the busy hospital life that will consume the rest of our day. “Just be careful, that’s all I’m going to say. I think it’s great he suddenly wants to be in her life, but since he hasn’t been around the past four years, I’d just maybe keep my guard up a little. What do your parents think about this?”
“Yeah, about them. I need to let them know. I didn’t say anything when I dropped Darla off this morning, and I should have because I’m almost positive she’s going to say something to them. I should have thought this through a little better.” Seriously, I’m a ditz right now.
“It’ll all be good, Paige, I know it will. I’m so happy for you, though. Things are finally going good and Brendan isn’t being an asshole anymore. I’ll talk to you at lunch!” She waves as she reaches her wing of the hospital. I keep walking towards ICU, hoping for a good day. It’s heartbreaking in there sometimes. Maybe it’s because I pray deeply for them every day or maybe it’s just God placing his hand upon them.
I sit with a few patients throughout the day and talk with a few of their family members keeping them up to date on their status. It brings me much joy to be able to see some of the patients move from the ICU unit to a regular room. That’s when I know the prayers have worked.
It’s almost lunch time and I check in with the head nurse, letting her know what has changed with the patients since my shift began before I make my way back to the breakroom. I forgot to bring a lunch today, so I guess I’ll be eating out of the vending machine. As I walk in, I notice Nora already sitting down eating.
I get some change out of my wallet and grab a bag of chips and a soda. I sit beside her and we talk about our day so far. I get up to check my phone and see a message from Austin and then one from my mom. I already know what the one from my mom is going to say, but I decide to read it anyway.
Mom: Darla told us she met her daddy? What is this about, Paige?
Paige: Yeah, you heard right, and I should have told you sooner. Brendan asked to meet her.
Mom: I just worry about you two. The meeting went well?