CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Things were going surprisingly well. On the day after the first kiss, Nate brought Paige flowers. The next day he came home after his run with cinnamon buns from a local bakery. Each passing day brought another sweet and thoughtful gesture. Every night they had dinner together and talked about their childhoods, books, movies, and even politics. They agreed on many things and vehemently disagreed on some others but were able to respect each other’s opinions.
Nate was intelligent, charming, and incredibly nurturing. Nothing made him happier than for her to need him to do something, whether it was to bring coffee to her in the morning or rub her shoulders after she’d written all day. He liked to run a bubble bath for her and pour her a glass of wine. He was even working on rearranging his office so they could both have their own workspace.
He was making room for her in his life.
So of course when the relationship was moving forward rather smoothly it was time to test it. Paige had been invited to do a Q&A and a signing afterward at a book convention and Nate was going along. The press would be in attendance and it would be their first “official” outing together, although they’d been photographed several times since the airport. The idea was to introduce them as a couple at a low-key event that didn’t involve paparazzi and a red carpet.
Garrett and Helen also thought it would be more fun to keep her identity a secret for a little while so she was currently being referred to as “the mystery blonde” which always made her laugh. She was about as far away from mysterious as a human being could get. After the book convention, she would be a mystery no more.
“Darling, I need to discuss something with you.”
His usually smooth as melted chocolate voice didn’t sound as calm as usual. Agitated. But what did he have to be upset about? She was the one sitting in a chair having her hair and makeup done by a professional. The only thing that would have made the day worse was high heels, which she had immediately vetoed when Helen suggested it. Instead she’d chosen Prada red leather boots paired with a winter white wool dress that she’d fallen in love with when Julie pulled it off the rack.
“Shoot, handsome. I’m listening even if I don’t look like it.”
The makeup artist was currently lining Paige’s eyes, requiring her to stay absolutely still.
“It’s Max, actually.”
“How is Max?”
Nate’s words came out in a rush. “Funny you should ask that. What is the saying you Americans have? Up shit creek without a paddle? He needs our help – well, really your help, love. I told him I would speak with you about it.”
She couldn’t imagine what Max needed from her but she had to admit her curiosity was piqued.
“I’m still listening.”
The makeup artist had moved on to mascara and that was plain scary to have someone wielding a wand covered in black gunk right next to her eyeball.
“It turns out Max’s mother is a huge fan of yours. When he mentioned that he had met you she went into a fangirl tizzy. Max said the last time he saw her that excited was when he got his first big part. So he just couldn’t say no and that’s the problem he needs your help with.”
That was sweet. Paige made a mental note to sign some books for Max’s mother and give them to Nate to send over.
“A man who can’t say no. That’s not usually an issue. How can I help?”
Stalling. Hemming. Hawing. “It’s just…well…Max found himself promising to get his mother a ticket to the book convention today. She wants to see your Q&A and meet you.”
She wasn’t sure why this was a problem. Paige had been given a welcomed reprieve. She was supposed to meet Nate’s mother today but Elaine was sick. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to meet Elaine Mason…she did. She just didn’t think it needed to be so soon.
“Nate, it’s fine. Your mother was going to join us and now she can’t because she has that nasty cold. We have an extra VIP pass. Problem solved.”
Maybe Nate had an issue with math.
More silence. Jebus on a cracker.
Paige held up her hand to the makeup artist who was selecting a shade of lip gloss. “Can you stop for just a minute? Give me one minute.” She turned to Nate, rapidly losing patience. Public appearances were extremely nerve-wracking for her and here she was dealing with this shit when she should be deep breathing and meditating. “Spill it, handsome. What’s going on here?”
Nate’s cheeks were pink and he was staring at his shoes. Not the ugly gray ones he’d originally had on. She’d taken one look at them and sent him back upstairs to change. These were a lovely black leather and looked perfect with the blue suit he was wearing.
“We need three VIP passes,” he finally blurted. “One for Max’s mother, one for his father…”
“And?” Paige prompted.
“One for Max. His parents want him to go as well.”
Fuck. Shit.
“It’s not nice to tease a woman who is nervous as hell, Nate. I’m on the edge of hysteria here and I still have two hours to go before my Q&A.”
“I’m not kidding. Love, I am so sorry. Max is sorry too. I swear.”
Rubbing her temples, Paige pointed to her phone on the coffee table. “Please hand that to me and I’ll see what I can do. That little SOB is going to owe me one if I can pull this off. What was he thinking?”
It only took two calls but Paige managed to secure the extra passes. Nate was practically on his knees in gratitude and she couldn’t stay angry when he looked that cute and grateful. He was promising back rubs and chocolate and weekend getaways to Paris.
“You don’t owe me anything. Max owes me a trip to Paris so let him know. I expect a five-star hotel.”
Nate leaned in, his lips next to her ear. “You’re amazing. I’d kiss you but I think your makeup lady would punch me.”
Paige tapped him on the chin where a goatee was taking shape. She’d made an offhand remark about how much she loved his facial hair in Ice Blue Lovers. “As soon as I’m done today I want lots of kisses.”
With that business out of the way and her hair and makeup done, they climbed into the limo. Nate was trying to be helpful and relax her but his constant talking was beginning to take its toll on her nerves. Normally she had Carrie here to deal with all the extraneous people and noise around her but the assistant was stuck in the States with her fiancé who had broken his leg.
Paige was on her own.
“I find when I’m nervous that imaging helps,” Nate went on, although she hadn’t heard the first part. “Picture yourself doing it perfectly, no issues. Picture yourself being calm and in control and–”
“Nate,” she broke in, placing her hand on his and squeezing his fingers. “I appreciate all you’re trying to do for me today. But honest to God, if you don’t shut up I’m going to kick you from the car and it’s going pretty fast so I think you might get seriously injured. I’m just getting more tense hearing from you about how not to be tense, if you know what I mean.”
He looked a little shamefaced. “Of course, love. I’m sorry. I think I might be as nervous as you are. This is our debut and I want the whole day to go well.”
“It will. Have faith.”
Traffic wasn’t too bad and soon they found themselves at the back door of the venue being ushered to the green room by two burly security guards. Once safely behind closed doors, Paige knew what she had to do.
“Nate, I’ll be fine.”
He looked a little startled, his brow wrinkled. “Of course you will, darling. Perfectly fine.”
“What I mean is you can go to your seat. The Q&A starts in fifteen minutes and I need some quiet time to get psyched up. Besides, you should check that Max and his parents found their way. Their seats are supposed to be right next to yours.”
Nate opened his mouth as if to protest but then seemed to think better of it. “Good luck, darling. I know you’ll be wonderful. We’ll celebrate tonight.”
“In Paris. Max’s treat.”
One of the guards escorted Nate from the room and Paige walked over to a small couch and sat down, concentrating on her breathing. In. Out. In. Out. Eyes closed. Images of fluffy bunnies and cute puppies running through her head. Everything was rainbows and freakin’ unicorns.
* * *
“I’ve never been so nervous in my life. I think I’ve sweated straight through this Armani suit. Is it hot in here or is it just me?”
Nate fanned himself with the paper program he’d been given when they’d seated him. It was like a sauna in here.
“It’s just you,” Max intoned. “In fact, it’s rather drafty. Are you nervous about being photographed today?”
Max didn’t understand at all. “I’m nervous for Paige. She hates being the center of attention and being in front of a crowd. I feel so terribly for her—this much be the worst torture imaginable for her.”
Max’s features softened and a smile came to his face. “You’re quite smitten, aren’t you, mate? I take it everything is going well.”
“It’s bloody fantastic,” Nate declared, thinking about the last week. “Paige is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. That reminds me, you owe her a trip to Paris for getting these tickets. I offered to take her but she said you should foot the bill, old chap. Can’t say that I disagree.”
Barking with laughter, Max nodded. “She’s saved my arse today so she can demand whatever she likes.”
Max’s mother Karen waved toward the ushers who were closing the doors. “It’s starting. I’m so excited.”
“You’ll get to meet her after,” Nate said. “She’s a real sweetheart and loves talking to her readers.”
He didn’t have time to say anymore as the announcer came out to introduce Paige. The crowd went wild as she stepped onto the stage looking every inch the gorgeous and successful woman she was.
She owned that stage.
The woman up there was another facet of Paige he hadn’t yet seen. Confident. Sexy. Completely in her element as she fielded question after question, some of them easy, some difficult, and some rather nasty. She didn’t falter or blink an eye. She smiled, joked, and remained humble when fans gushed, never apologized for what she wrote, and staunchly refused to give away any secrets regarding future character storylines. She’d charmed the crowd.
Clearly she’d never really needed Nate’s help today.
“She’s fucking brilliant,” Max whispered in Nate’s ear. “She’s got these people eating out of the palm of her hand.”
A flush of pride ran through Nate and he beamed as Paige handled another prickly question from the crowd. “Now you know what I was talking about. She’s different, special.”
Max nodded. “She is. Don’t mess this up, mate.”
As she was taking a sip for her water glass, she caught Nate’s eye and smiled. A smile intended just for him alone. Even in the midst of all this, she’d remember him.
“I’m the luckiest man alive.”
Don’t fuck this up.