CHAPTER SEVEN

Paige woke up with Brian’s kiss on her mind. His lips were everything she’d expected them to be, soft and sweet. She closed her eyes and licked her bottom lip as if reliving the moment. What would have happened if she had followed him inside? Would making love to Brian be as intense as that kiss? She opened her eyes. Did she want to make love to Brian? Of course she did. One touch of his hand set her body on fire. The feel of his lips turned her insides to jelly. She yearned for his touch. Pull it together, she thought as she tossed the covers back. She turned on the TV in her bedroom to check the morning temperature. It was already 80 degrees. It was too hot to run and seeing Brian this morning would put her head in a tailspin. She decided the best thing for her to do this morning would be to take a long, cold shower to stop her hormones from jumping out of her body.

After her shower, Paige dressed in a pair of white cotton shorts and a matching tank top. She sat on the sofa and willed her eyes not to look across the street at Brian’s house. Maybe she shouldn’t go to the park with him. Maybe she should go back to avoiding him. But what would that accomplish? A lot more sleepless nights, she surmised.

Paige swallowed her reservations and walked out the front door. She could at least pretend to do some yard work and maybe Brian would come outside and bless her with another kiss or at least give her another memory. At least she might see Mickey outside playing. She thought he was a sweet little boy and just like his father, adorable. He had an innocence about him that reminded her of her students in Nashville. Paige loved children and longed to have one of her own. But the way she pushed men away, it probably wouldn’t happen. She plopped down on the porch, closing her eyes as the morning sun beat down on her.

Paige, are you okay?”
She opened her eyes and saw Brian standing over her.

I’m fine. Just working on my tan,” she said with a smile.

Mickey said you looked like you had passed out. Actually, he thought you were dead.”

Paige looked past Brian and saw Mickey zooming by on his bicycle. She smiled brighter. “Robocop in training, huh?”


Just trying to raise him right.”


That must be pretty hard to do alone.”


He sighed thoughtfully. “Especially on a day like today. He misses his mom.”


“Where is she?” Paige asked timidly.

Atlanta, finding herself,” Brian snorted. “Our marriage had been over for awhile, but I was willing to stick it out for our son. I guess she wanted more and the only way she saw to do it was to divorce me and abandon her son. I guess saying she abandoned him isn’t fair, though. She calls, sends him gifts but nothing can make up for the time he’s missing with her.”

Paige shook her head.

Brian closed his eyes. “I don’t need to lay all of this on you,” he said. “And I hope I don’t sound too pitiful.”

Brian, if you need to talk, I’ll listen.”


He smirked. “All right, Oprah.”


“Ha.” She playfully slapped him on the shoulder. “We did attend the same college, though.” 


A blue sedan slowly crept down the street. Paige looked at the driver. Their eyes locked and the woman stopped the car. 


Brian,” the driver said. 


He looked up and smiled at the woman. “Whose car did you steal?”


This is my new car,” she replied.


“Pull in across the street.”


The woman did. Paige furrowed her brows. I guess Brian isn’t a lonely single father after all. Men are such jerks. I should have known Brian wasn’t any different, she thought as she stood up. Paige couldn’t help looking at the other woman as she got out of the car. She was beautiful, like a model with her long legs, jet-black hair and smooth skin. Obviously Mickey knew her because he jumped off his bike, ran over to her and hugged her tightly. So, I guess he’s a player and he brings all of his women around his son. To think I was ready to hop into bed with him. Paige started for the front door, muttering a string of curse words about Brian and her stupidity for thinking he was any different from any other man she had ever dealt with.

Paige,” Brian called out. “Come here.”

She started to roll her eyes or flip him off. What did he want—a ménage a trois? But a calming voice in the back of her head told her to see what he wanted. She headed across the street with a fake smile plastered on her face. “What’s up?” she asked.

I want to introduce you to my sister, Gabrielle,” he said.

The woman extended her hand to Paige.

As Paige shook hands with Gabrielle, she started to see the family resemblance. She was glad she’d thought before saying anything. I was about to make a big fool of myself.

Hi,” Paige said.

So, you put that smile back on my brother’s face,” Gabrielle said. “I like you already.”

Paige couldn’t say anything. She was shocked that Gabrielle was so brash. She was nothing like her brother.

Are you going to the jazz concert in the park today with my brother?”

Gabrielle,” Brian snapped.

She shrugged her shoulders as if to say, what? “I know you guys aren’t taking my nephew to this boring concert. Why don’t I take Mickey with me?”

That’s real smooth,” Brian said through clenched teeth.

Gabrielle smiled brightly then called her nephew over to them. “Mickey, do you want to go to a boring jazz concert or do you want to hang out with me?” Gabrielle asked him when he rolled into the yard.

I want to go with you,” he said excitedly. “Can I go with Auntie, Daddy?”

Brian sighed and nodded. Gabrielle took Mickey by the hand and they disappeared inside.

She’s funny,” Paige said.

Brian shrugged his shoulder. “She’s something. But that’s my little sister.”

I’m supposed to believe you didn’t set this up.”

Of course not. If I wanted to be alone with you, I would just come outside with a handful of cookies.”

Paige pushed him in the chest and pretended to be offended. “You don’t need cookies to get next to me.”

Brian leaned in and kissed Paige on the forehead, making her shiver. “I’ll come get you at five,” he said.

You know where I live.”

Neither one of them made an effort to move. She wanted another kiss, a deep kiss like they’d shared on this same porch last night. His hesitancy told her that it wasn’t going to happen.

Um, okay, I’ll see you later,” Paige said as she headed across the street. She looked over her shoulder and saw Brian was watching her walk away. She waved at him, wishing he had followed her. It was as if his kiss had given her a taste of his essence. She needed more. No man had ever touched her so deeply and so quickly. Paige would never say it out loud, but she was falling hard for Brian Jackson. But would he open up to her?

She knew his divorce was new and maybe the only thing he was looking for was something with no strings attached—unless it was a G- string. Paige wondered what she was getting into, if she was going to end getting hurt. Once inside, she plopped down on the sofa, her mind clouded with thoughts of Brian’s kiss.



Brian looked at his sister as she packed a bag for Mickey. “I could choke you right now,” he said.

Brian, you obviously like her. Mickey likes her too because he has been talking about her since we walked into the house. I’m just playing Cupid.”

Brian looked down the hall to make sure his son was still in the bathroom.

Gabrielle continued. “I just hope that she isn’t like that ex-wife of yours. At least she seems to have a personality.”

Mickey burst into the room. “Can we go now? I want some ice cream!” he said excitedly.

Brian reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He handed his sister a twenty. “Please buy my son a nutritious dinner,” he said.

Sounds like pizza to me,” she said as she squeezed Mickey’s cheek.


“Get out,” Brian said. 


Gabrielle shook her head. “Not yet. What are you wearing to the park?”

Brian looked down at his faded blue jeans and white tee shirt.

What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

Gabrielle turned to Mickey and handed him his black and white Mickey Mouse overnight bag. “Babe, will you wait for me in the living room, please?”

Yes, ma’am,” he said as he bounded down the hall.

Gabrielle grabbed Brian’s hand and pulled him into his bedroom. “Lesson one,” she said as she opened the closet door. “Women like to be impressed. Jeans and a tee shirt are fine, but not for a first date. And you’re ugly, so you have to work a little harder to get a good woman.”

Brian thumped Gabrielle on the arm. “If I’m ugly, I look like you,” he said.

Sit down, grasshopper,” Gabrielle said. “Now, lesson two—don’t be lame.”

Paige and I have had conversations before,” he said.

Gabrielle pulled out a pair of tan slacks and held them in front of her face. Turning to Brian, she smiled. “And just what have you and Paige talked about?” She dropped the pants on the bed.

Noneya.”


What?”


“None of your business. Now get out of my room, I know how to dress.”

Gabrielle ignored him and continued her search for a shirt to go with his pants. “How about this,” she said as she pulled out a white Polo shirt. “Maybe you should wear shorts. It’s hot today.”

Walking over to his sister, Brian grabbed her by the arm, then ushered her out of his room. “Feed my child and mind your business.” A few moments later, he heard the front door close and headed for the shower to prepare for his date.

At five, Brian was knocking on Paige’s door. His breath was taken away when she opened the door and walked out. He nearly dropped the picnic basket in his hand.

The camel-colored sundress she wore hugged her body like a second skin and her breasts seemed to scream for his touch. He looked at her and smiled. “I feel underdressed,” he said as he pulled at his shirt.

You look fine. Maybe I should change.”


Don’t you dare,” he said. “You look great.”


Thank you.”


He held his arm out to her. “Let’s go,” he said. He led her to his F-150.


“Of course you drive a truck. This totally looks better than the patrol car,” she said as she slid into the passenger seat.

Her lips, her chocolate-colored skin and curly hair mesmerized 
Brian. Her words didn’t register with him.

Brian.”


What?”


“Are you all right?”


I was just taken aback by your beauty and that’s not a line.” He got behind the wheel and started the truck.

Paige turned away from him, trying to hide her smile.

Brian reached over and touched her wooly hair. It felt as soft as new cotton. “Your hair is beautiful. Everything about you just knocks me out.”

Paige faced him. “You’re too much,” she said, stroking his hand. “And normally, I punch people who touch my hair without permission.”

Brian smiled. “Duly noted.”

After driving a short distance, he pulled into the parking lot of the park. As they got out of the truck, he grabbed the basket that sat between them. Paige pointed to a spot underneath a tree near the stage. “Can we sit there?”

Great minds think alike, I was eying that as well.” They crossed over to the tree and Brian unfurled a blanket so they could sit down. Then he pulled out two juice boxes, handing one to Paige. “I thought Mickey was coming with us, so I packed these and forgot to switch them.”

Paige took the yellow box and smiled warmly. “You’re really good with him.”

I have to be. I don’t want this divorce to affect him later in life. I want things to be as normal as they can be, even though that’s hard without his mother around,” Brian said wistfully.

Paige gently stroked Brian’s shoulder. Her soothing touch calmed and comforted him. He turned to her and smiled. “I don’t want to bring you down with my problems.”

I’m a good listener,” she murmured. 


So, is that an invitation for me to lay my burdens down on you?”

She shrugged. “My couch is open to you anytime.”


“You’re going to regret saying that. I might be on your sofa every day.”


“You can’t have that many problems,” she said.

Brian smiled pensively, thinking that Paige had no clue as to how deep his problems ran. He hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in months. Every time he closed his eyes, he wondered when Mickey would scream for his mother again. Though Brian tried not to think of Olivia, she popped into his mind without a moment’s notice.

Paige touched his shoulder. “Are you all right?”

He turned to Paige, hoping to lose himself in her eyes. “I’m fine,” Brian whispered. The smooth sounds of the Sandhills Jazz Band began to fill the air, giving him a valid reason to close his eyes. He was sure Paige thought he was lost in the music, but actually he was remembering the days that he and Olivia had spent in this same park, watching Mickey play on the swings while they exchanged kisses. Brian opened his eyes, half expecting to see his ex-wife in front of him, but it was Paige’s beautiful eyes that stared at him.

Paige, I’m sorry, I can’t do this.”


“Do what?”

As much as I want to be here with you, I’m not ready to start dating again.”


Paige’s sculptured eyebrow shot up. “Brian, you asked me to come here. It’s just a concert. I’m not trying to be your wife.”


You’re a beautiful woman and I don’t want to cheat you. I don’t want to weigh you down with all my baggage.”


She rolled her eyes and stood up. “You make it seem as if I’m pressuring you for something and that’s not the case, Brian Jackson. So take your baggage and stick it up your ass.”

She ran off from the spot where Brian stood, leaving him filled with regret. Why was he pushing her away when he wanted her in his life?



Cursing herself for wearing her stylish stiletto sandals, Paige began to walk the mile and a half to her house from the park. Soon her feet were throbbing and she could feel a blister forming on the side of her left foot. As she stopped on the sidewalk to massage her aching feet, a truck pulled along beside her. Paige didn’t have to look to know it was Brian.

Paige, get in and let me drive you home.”

No. There’s not enough room in the truck for me and your baggage.”

Brian stopped his truck in the middle of the road and hopped out. Paige started walking again, ignoring the pain in her feet.

Stop and let me explain.”

She turned around and focused her angry stare on him. “I’ve heard enough from you,” she snapped. “You’re not ready. And I’m tired of your mixed signals. At night you want to steal kisses but you’re not ready to date when the sun comes up. You want what you want when you want it and to hell with anyone else. You’re selfish.”

He sighed as she walked away. “I don’t want to be hurt again,” he blurted out. “When Olivia walked away from me, it hurt. I’m not totally over it and what it’s done to my son, but I do want you in my life.”

She stopped in her tracks, whirled around and looked at Brian, her eyes narrowed into tiny gold slits. “What? So I’m supposed to hold a place for your wife? And if she decides to come back, what then?”

I don’t know what the future holds. I just—” Brian stopped talking and grabbed Paige. She struggled not to fall into his embrace. His big, strong hands felt as if they were made to hold her. Paige rolled her eyes as he stroked her shoulders.

Paige, I’m sorry if I hurt you.”

Me, hurt by you? That would imply that I care.” She pushed him in the chest. “Just leave me the hell alone and go lick your wounds about your ex-wife.”

Is that what you want?” Brian asked.

That’s what you want.” Paige poked him in the chest. Then she began to walk away. She was definitely going to Nashville for the rest of the sum- mer. She was a fool to try and get involved with Brian. She knew he was fresh off a divorce, but she’d thought he wanted her too. Now he was saying that he wasn’t ready. Did he think she was going to be his bed warmer until his wife came back? Paige was hardly second string and if Brian Jackson thought she was going to sit on the bench, he was wrong. She looked up and saw his truck beside her.

Don’t do this,” he said. “Get in the truck and let me drive you home.”

Brian, get it together. If you want to feel sorry for yourself, then do it.” Paige turned off the sidewalk and headed through a grassy field that led to the neighborhood.

When she reached her house, she rushed inside and snatched up the phone. She dialed Patrick’s number.

Yeah?” he said when he answered. 


Is that how I taught you to answer the phone?”


Paige? Is that you? After all of these months you finally decided to call somebody. How are you?”


“Missing a real city. Don’t you want me to spend the summer with you?”


Not really, but I guess I will.”


Paige sighed. “I’m not really in the mood for jokes. I just need to get away from Elmore.”


Oh Lord, who did you piss off now?”


“Why do I have to be the one who pissed someone off? Maybe someone pissed me off.”


What happened? And start from the beginning.”
“

Pat, nothing happened. I just miss you,” she said. 


You lie like the dirt underneath the rug. What happened, Paige?”

She groaned. “For the last time, nothing happened. Nothing worth talking about, anyway. Patrick, it’s summer and I want to come to Nashville and hang out. There’s nothing to do here.”

And his name is?”

Paige rolled her eyes, disgusted at how transparent she was. “Remember my neighbor?”

What did you do?”

Shut up and let me tell the story.” Paige recounted her history with Brian and the blow up they’d had at the park.

Paige, that man just went through a divorce. You can’t expect him to just jump into a relationship with you. Give him time. It seems like he cares for you. And you know that you’re hard on the opposite sex sometimes.”

He shouldn’t be giving me mixed signals if he’s still pining for his ex. And he shouldn’t have kissed me.”

Paige, quit whining, okay? If you like him, you’re going to have to hop off that high horse and consider his feelings. Unlike you, he has a son to consider. If his wife left him, then the last thing he’s going to do is put himself in a position where that might happen again. Let’s face it, Paige, you’re not the most stable tree in the forest.”

You know what?” Paige snapped.

Patrick cut her off before she could continue. “I know you owe him an apology. From what you described, Paige, you behaved like a spoiled brat. This man opened up to you and basically you spit in his face.”

I didn’t—”

Patrick cleared his throat, signaling that he wasn’t finished. “Dinner, flowers, and a lot of ass kissing is what you owe him.”

She plopped down on the sofa and stared out the front window. “You’re right, but when he kissed me I just felt so, I don’t know—alive. Brian Jackson moved me.”

Well, stop acting like the Paige that I know and show that man some compassion. Look at the time, I have to go. I have a date.”

Who is she?” Paige asked. The dial tone sounded in her ear. Paige took a deep breath and watched as Brian climbed out of his truck. Show him some compassion, echoed in her head. Paige opened the door and walked outside. It was now or never.