Paige's Turn, page 15
“You’re going. Come out and show me the dress.”
I opened the door to the fitting room. I wiggled uncomfortably. “This material feels terrible against my skin.”
“The dress looks hot on you, but you look like you’re going to crawl out of your skin, so it’s a no-go.”
“Sequins aren’t my thing. Can’t we just get some plain black dress?”
“No way. Everyone will be wearing black. They’ll all be trying to hide the extra pounds they’ve gained since graduation. You need to make a statement and show off your figure.”
“I don’t want to show off anything.”
She rolled her eyes. “You have a great package; use it to your advantage.”
I turned around. “Please unzip this.”
She pulled down the zipper slowly. “Daddy told me about Mitzi.” That was an abrupt change of topic.
I turned back around, my backside completely exposed.
Maggie looked pensive.
“Who would have thought?”
She shrugged. “I figured it must be something along those lines. I could tell Mitzi hated Daddy. And that kind of hate only comes out of love.”
I leaned back surprised. “You were more observant than me. I just thought they avoided each other because of the relationship between Mitzi and our mother.”
“You’ve never been in love, have you?”
I looked down at my bare feet. “Not really, no.”
“Then you don’t know that kind of hate.”
I looked up and met Maggie’s eyes. “Have you ever hated anyone like that?”
She gave a slight nod. “Sometimes when Darrell and I have problems, I feel that way toward him.”
“Are you happy together?”
“For the most part. He’s different from anyone else I’ve ever been with, but he was the first guy I had been with that I knew would never cheat on me. And he saw me for more than my body.”
I reached out and took her hand. “He seems like a really good guy.”
She let out a small laugh. “He is. He treats me better than anyone ever has. I just know that everyone thought I would end up with someone like Sam.”
I tilted my head. “Did you and Sam—”
She waved her hand around. “No, no. I mean, I kissed him once.”
I dropped her hand.
“It’s not what you think. We were at the same party a long time ago. I was barely eighteen and drunk. I totally came on to him, but he wasn’t having any of it. He just made sure I got home safely. Told me I shouldn’t be drinking at my age.” She took my hand back. “Paige, he’s never looked at me or anyone I know the way he looks at you. I don’t know what his deal is, but I’m telling you, he’s into you. I thought he was going to rip Momma’s head off at dinner on Sunday.”
“Speaking of her, does she know we know about Mitzi and dad?”
“I would recommend staying away for a while.”
“She does know.”
“I’m pretty sure Daddy is sleeping in the den right now.”
“Ouch.”
“Don’t worry about them. They’ll be making each other miserable until the end of time.”
“That’s sad.”
She shrugged. “Maybe, but I think deep down they love each other.”
“I hope so. Are they doing okay financially?”
“Don’t try and fix that, Paige. They both have too much pride. Unlike me. I’m going to let you buy me lunch and then we are going to find a dress that is going to make Sam beg for you.”
I laughed at her. “Lunch is a definite yes. Not so sure about the second part.” I changed out of the uncomfortable dress and threw on my shorts and blouse. I looked in the mirror and thought how weird it was to be shopping with my sister. I even kind of liked her. Who knew?
Maggie picked a quaint restaurant near the store we had just left. We were seated right away. “They have the best homemade bread. Not that I can eat a lot of it.”
“Why not?”
“Unlike you, I can’t eat anything I want and not gain a ton of weight.”
“I don’t know if that’s true.”
“Are you kidding me? Momma and I have always been jealous of your metabolism. And the fact that you never had to work out.”
“I do yoga.”
“Now you do, but growing up I watched you eat ice cream and French fries, and I never saw you exercise. I hated you for it.”
“I had no idea.”
“I think you’re pretty clueless about a lot of things.”
“Don’t sugar coat it.”
She took my arm. “I just mean that you have so much going for you, but you don’t even realize it. You’re beautiful, smart, rich. You need to make it start working for you.”
“I’m just me.”
“And I’m jealous. I think Momma is too.”
“Why? You’re gorgeous.”
“I know, but no one has ever taken me seriously, except Darrell. And you got out of Bella Port. I always wanted to, but only made it to Mobile.”
“You know, you’re completely changing my view of the past. And you.”
“I feel the same way . . . sister.”
“It’s nice to have one.”
She nodded. “It is. But enough of this soul-searching crap. Let’s eat bread and then find you an amazing dress.”
I could live with that.
We searched high and low until we reached the fiftieth store, I swear. I came out of the dressing room in a red backless halter dress that hit just above the knee. “What do you think?”
Her eyes widened. “I think if you don’t buy that dress, the fashion gods will cry. You look amazing. You are going to be the envy of every woman at your reunion.”
I looked in the three-way mirror. I noticed the way it gathered in at my waist, showing off my figure. “Are you sure it isn’t too much? Or too little?” I saw a lot of skin.
“It’s perfect. Sam and Brianne will be drooling. Now all you need are the perfect shoes and some new makeup.”
“I don’t really do makeup.”
“I know. It’s almost a crime you look as good as you do without it. I kind of hate you for it, but for a night out, you’ll need some to compensate for the lighting.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine.”
She giggled and dragged me around to five more stores until we found the perfect shoes. Or at least Maggie thought so. I never thought I would wear gold metallic shoes, but Maggie said it was fashionable. I was worried I was going to break my neck in the high, strappy heels. But I had to admit, they were pretty. Then I sat at one of those high-priced cosmetic counters and let Maggie and the makeup artist play with my face. They were using terms I had never even heard before to describe my skin. It felt like an eternity sitting there, but then they handed me a large handheld mirror. I held it up and had to do a double take. I hardly recognized myself.
“What do you think?” Maggie sounded excited.
“I look um . . . well . . .”
“You’re gorgeous.”
I touched my cheek with a hint of pink blush on it, but it was my eyes that really stood out.
“You didn’t need much. But the pop of the midnight blue eyeliner and the mascara really bring out your beautiful eyes,” the makeup artist added. She had to say that so I would buy the ridiculously priced cosmetics.
Maggie nodded her agreement. “Watch out Bella Port High School class reunion. Paige James is a bona fide babe.”
Chapter Twenty-One
I stared at the bags I came home with. I had never spent so much money on one outfit. The cosmetics and perfume alone, a few months ago, would have broken my bank account. If my mother and Maggie shopped like that regularly, there was no doubt why they were having money issues. Not even my friend Aimee had such expensive taste. But I smiled because I had a great day with my sister. I never thought I would say that.
It was still awkward and we were completely different, but I hoped we would become good friends. I was surprised how much she opened up to me. And how brash she could still be. She admitted she had no issues keeping the money I had given them. But she also admitted some other things, like how she was jealous of my relationship with Mitzi, or how she was afraid she would never get pregnant. She’d done in vitro twice with no success. She was taking a break from the heartbreak of it all. I guess you never know what people are going through. I had never seen her so vulnerable as when she was talking about how devastated she and Darrell had been every time she took a pregnancy test and it was negative.
I never thought a lot about having my own children, because I never thought a lot about being married. I was fine with being single, until recently. How was that? Sam had gotten under my skin and I couldn’t work him out. I had sat out on the porch last night for hours looking at the flowers he placed there. I thought about all the time we had spent together and how he even made an emergency room visit fun. Mitzi was right—we were a good match. But it didn’t matter, because as far as he was concerned, I wasn’t an option.
Despite Sam’s unwillingness to give us a shot, I was still going to be part of Josie and Adam’s lives. I was back on Sunday for dinner at their place. Adam grilled some of the fish he and Sam had caught over Father’s Day weekend. It was fantastic. He made his own batter to go with it. Maybe Adam would teach me how to grill, since Sam was now off the list. Sam was like the elephant in the room that no one wanted to talk about, so I decided to open my mouth again.
We were all sitting on the couch. Adam held Josie’s hand. The TV played in the background. “I’m sure you both know, like all of Bella Port, that I had feelings for Sam.”
Their heads snapped toward me.
I gave them a small smile. “But Sam doesn’t feel the same way and . . . I’m okay with that.” Sort of.
Adam smacked his knee. “The dang fool does feel that way. He couldn’t stop talking about you on our fishing trip. He’s being stubborn.”
Josie patted Adam’s leg as if to tell him to settle down. “He’s scared.”
“Either way, it’s not meant to be.”
“The heck it isn’t.” I had never seen Adam so fired up.
“Regardless, I will still come and eat your delicious food every week.”
They both laughed.
Adam took my hand. It felt more natural than when my own dad did the same thing. “Darlin’, you are a part of this family and are welcome here anytime.”
That choked me right up. I squeezed his hand tight. “You don’t know how much that means to me.” It meant the world to me.
I walked out of their home well past dark. We had played a rousing game of Scrabble and watched some sappy romance on the Hallmark Channel. It was my kind of night. I was walking to my car when Sam pulled up in his truck. I wasn’t expecting him. I picked up the pace to my car. I meant to stay away from him as much as I could. It was easier that way.
He, on the other hand, hurried and parked. He made it to me before I could open my car door. “Paige, wait.”
I thought about getting in my car, but he had this pull on me. I stopped and turned toward him. He looked as good as ever in shorts and a t-shirt. A large breath escaped me. “I was just leaving. I didn’t know you would be here.”
He approached and stood closer than he should have. “We’re going to run into each other from time to time.”
“I know, but . . . Anyway, I should go.” I was having a hard time not wrapping myself around him. I wasn’t sure where it was all coming from. I had never felt desire like this before. I turned from him.
“I wanted to ask you something,” he blurted out.
“Okay,” I spoke into my car window. Looking at him honestly hurt.
“Do you think it would be a good idea to give daily landscaping tips on our Facebook page?”
I nodded. “Those are the exact kinds of things you should be doing. Goodnight.”
He applied pressure to my door with his hand so I couldn’t open it. “Friends spend time with each other, Paige.”
Why I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, I didn’t know. It was like being around him had this open-mouth-insert-foot effect. I faced his peering eyes. “I’ve never felt like this about a friend.”
He cocked his head. “You look different.”
That wasn’t the response I was looking for. “Thanks, I should go.”
“That came out wrong. I do that a lot around you. You look good, as always, it’s just something about your eyes.”
“Maggie decided I needed a makeover.”
“You and Maggie hung out?”
“Yeah. She came by the store a few days ago, and we’re working on things.”
“I’m happy to hear that, but don’t let her change you.”
“You don’t have to worry there. You can probably tell I’m not really into any look that requires a lot of maintenance.”
He stepped closer, causing my pulse to quicken. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”
So why does he choose the Brianne’s of the world? “I have to go.”
He hung his head and backed off. “Drive safe.”
Somebody was definitely playing it safe.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I’m not going.” I stared into my vanity mirror while Maggie styled my hair into beachy waves.
Maggie smacked me with her free hand. “You’re going if I have to drag you kicking and screaming. That little wench Brianne isn’t going to know what hit her. I can’t believe she brought the skanky dress she’s wearing to the bookstore to show you. She might as well pee on him to mark her territory.”
I laughed loudly. “I’m just glad you were there when she came in. I think you intimidate her.”
“No, she is hoping for an ally in me. You’re the one she’s afraid of. I’m telling you, she’s lying about Sam.”
“Then why is he going?”
She wrapped another strand of hair around the styling wand. “Who knows? He’s probably doing it to be nice.”
“Or to see her in that barely-there dress.”
“Please. He lives near a coastal town. He can see almost-naked women anytime he wants. And he’s not that kind of a guy. You wouldn’t like him if he was.”
“True. I still don’t get it.”
“It doesn’t matter, because when he gets a look at you, he’s going to be a goner. Oooo, and I’m glad you didn’t tell her you were coming. The element of surprise is genius on your part.”
“That wasn’t my intention. I really don’t want to go.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Go for a couple of hours. Eat dinner, listen to your old classmates that you don’t remember try to show off, sit on Sam’s lap.” She impishly grinned. “Then I’ll come pick you up.”
“I can drive myself.”
“No way. I’m dropping you off to make sure you go and that you have to stay.”
“I can walk.”
“Not in those heels.”
“You know, for a little sister, you’re pushy.”
“And proud of it.”
“By the way, thank you for helping me.”
She squeezed my shoulder and smiled at me through the mirror. “It’s been fun. I hope we . . .”
I reached up and patted her hand on my shoulder. “Me too.”
She went back to focusing on my hair. “Darrell said he received an offer on one of our flip houses today.”
“That’s great news. I hope it works out.”
“Me too. I’ve been itching do another one, but . . . you know.”
“I’ve been looking to invest in some property.”
Maggie’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
“Yeah. It’s good to diversify your investments, or so I’m told.”
She bit her lip. “There is this one place I’ve been dying to get my hands on. Do you want to go look at it next week with me?”
“I’d love to.”
“Eek,” she squealed.
Maggie masterfully styled my hair into wavy perfection. “Tuck this side behind your ear. It gives you a classic look to go along with your dress.”
“I’ve never spent so much time getting ready.”
“It will all pay off, I guarantee it.”
“I don’t have any delusions of Sam chasing after me. I’m nervous about seeing him. I told him we should stay away from each other.”
“Perfect.” She fussed with my hair some more. “Stay away from him tonight. It will drive him crazy.”
“I’m not into games.”
“And you aren’t playing one. You’ve told him exactly how you feel and how you’re going to behave. You’re just following through.”
I sighed. “This is such a bad idea. I’m probably going to fall flat on my face wearing those shoes.”
She waved off my concern. “Don’t sweat it. Use your abs and walk heel to toe and relax your hips and knees. You do yoga, so you’re used to being in control of your body.”
“Where do you learn all this stuff?”
“Momma.”
I bit my lip. “How is she?” I wasn’t even sure why I cared, but your mother is your mother.
Maggie tossed her head side to side. “She’s trying to come to terms.”
“With what?”
“You, Daddy, life.”
“I get that.”
“Don’t worry about her tonight. She’s isn’t going anywhere. Let’s get you into that dress.”
I took a deep breath. Lots of them.
Maggie helped get me situated in my dress and even helped me with the stickers that functioned as a bra.
“Are you sure these things work? I do not need a wardrobe malfunction.”
She laughed. “These babies are better than duct tape. Your girls will be safe.”
After my chest was properly situated, I slipped into the chiffon dress. I turned to look into my full-length mirror, but Maggie stopped me. “Shoes first, so you get the whole effect.”
I sat on my bed and put the killer shoes on; depending on how the night went, that could have a literal meaning. I admired my sparkly painted toes. Maggie had insisted we get pedicures yesterday. My body didn’t know what to do with all this fluffy stuff. I stood tall and walked toward the mirror, trying to remember what Maggie said about heel to toe and keeping my hips loose. I gazed in the mirror and somebody besides me was in it.
