When she’d asked if the lead was on her case, he never replied.
Paisley didn’t want to go to the party. She wanted to wait and see what was going on because his silence spoke volumes. He’d been so up-front with her so far, she had to believe everything he was doing was in her best interest.
She hoped the truth revealed itself soon. She was on the brink of telling him she loved him. There was only so long she could hold in her emotions and he deserved to know where she stood.
Plus, he loved the color red.
Paisley had chosen this slinky dress with her husband in mind. She’d imagined him slipping her out of this as soon as they made it back to the penthouse, or maybe he’d try in the elevator on the way up. Or maybe he’d give her another one of those toe-curling massages.
With one last glance to her hair and a swipe of pale shimmer gloss to her lips, Paisley grabbed her gold clutch and headed to the elevator. Lucas had ordered his driver to take Paisley to the party even though she insisted she could drive herself.
Arguing with that man was sometimes just a losing battle. But when he was being adorably sweet, she couldn’t quite fault him.
The drive to Melinda’s home didn’t take long, but Paisley found herself looking at her phone, waiting for any update or clue as to what he’d found.
Paisley thanked the driver as he assisted her from the car, and he informed her he’d be out here waiting whenever she was ready to go. No doubt by her husband’s orders.
This was a whole new lifestyle for her—living in a penthouse that was three times the size of her little town house, having a driver at her disposal, being made love to the way Lucas made love to her and having someone put her needs first.
There was no way Paisley could leave. She wanted to build a life with him; she wanted to give him that family he wanted. She had so much in her to give because when she’d left him all those years ago, she’d never given her heart to another man. There had been no one that even came close to Lucas.
Yes, he was harder now, more cautious, but that all stemmed from having been hurt. She’d made a mistake and she knew building anything new would take time...time she was more than willing to give because she’d already created their little family in her mind.
After this party, Paisley would tell him she loved him. She would tell him she wanted to move forward with a real marriage, a real family. He may not be ready to admit love yet, and that was fine. But she wasn’t going anywhere, and he could take his time in coming to grips with his emotions.
With a renewed hope for her future, Paisley headed toward the limestone condo high-rise. The doorman greeted her, and the attendant at the elevator happily sent her on up to the twenty-fourth floor. Melinda and her sister Angela both lived in this stunning building, but on different floors. Paisley had to assume Angela would be at the party, too, and perhaps their other sister, Esme.
Nerves of anticipation curled low in her belly. These women could potentially be her half sisters. If Lucas came back with information confirming Sterling was her father, Paisley would have names to put with her new family.
What would it be like to have sisters?
The elevator opened on Melinda’s floor and Paisley made her way to the condo unit. She’d barely knocked when the door swung wide and the hostess herself beamed a wide smile.
“You made it,” Melinda exclaimed. “Come on in. Where’s your husband?”
Trying to see if you and I share a father.
“He’s away on business,” Paisley replied.
She stepped into the suite and glanced around at the people mingling as trays of delicate finger foods passed by in the deft hands of uniformed waitstaff.
“Well, I’m glad you could make it anyway,” Melinda stated. “Come out to the balcony. Esme and Angela are out there and I know they’d love to see you.”
Paisley slid her clutch beneath her arm and followed Melinda out to the balcony, which overlooked Houston. The lights from the city were the perfect picturesque backdrop for the cocktail party.
“Paisley,” Esme squealed. “It’s so great to see you again.”
The beautiful blonde stepped forward and gave a half hug so as not to spill her champagne glass.