Page 48 of Heart Like Yours
I shrug, silently disagreeing with him but letting him get back to his job. If it weren’t for me, none of this would be happening.
Something hard jabs into my ribs and I jolt, looking down to find Paige staring up at me. Her brows are drawn tightly together and a frown pulls at her lips.
“It’s not your fault,” she whispers and since it’s down to the four of us, this time I answer.
“If it weren’t for my secret, none of this would be happening.”
Dominik is the one who speaks up.
“Their behavior is not on you. It’s understandable to be excited or curious, especially in their line of work. I even imagine there’s a great deal of stress for each of them trying to be the first to get a new angle out to the public. But they crossed a line. Your successes are not an excuse for them to harass you, or anyone in your life.”
My throat tightens, knowing he’s right and there’s nothing I could have done to stop them all from doing this. But maybe if I hadn’t forced things to be done with so much discretion, there wouldn’t be this extreme of a reaction.
Paige finally wiggles her way out of my arms, offering a reassuring smile before sneaking over to Lilly and Eva.
“I know it all just happened today,” Dom starts, coming to stand beside me as we watch the girls talk, “but you might need to look at hiring security for a while.”
“I don’t know. I keep hoping this will just blow over.”
“Dude, you’re a young, hot billionaire who managed to sneak up on everyone. People aren’t just going to let that go.”
“Ah, so you admit I’m hot.” I joke despite the seriousness of what he’s suggesting.
“I admit you’re not a troll.” Dom scoffs, pushing my shoulder before he sighs. “Look, man, I don’t want to see anything happen to you, but if nothing else, look at hiring someone for her sake.” He tilts his head toward Paige. “Not only is she your partner now, but that girl is clearly head over heels for you.”
My heart skips as I look over to find Paige already watching me. She smiles softly and motions for the girls to come back and join us.
“Well, I think we can all admit that we should call it a night.” Paige attempts to joke.
Dominik and Lilly are the first to leave, heading out the side door and making both Paige and me promise to text them when we’re back home. Eva follows shortly after them.
“Can I give you a ride home?” There’s a hint of desperation in my tone that I don’t even try to hide.
“Since the three of us walked here so we could drink, yes. There’s no way in hell I’m walking back and risking bumping into one of those assholes.” She crosses her arms and sticks out her bottom lip in a frown. “Pretty sure I’d punch someone and end up in jail.”
I laugh, grateful that she’s somehow managing to make light of this whole situation.
We sneak out the back doors of the bar, silently walking to where I parked my car down the street all while watching for reporters.
Once we’re both buckled in and driving, I finally talk.
“I’m sorry. I should have thought ahead, asked you to stay today.” I glance at her before focusing back on the road. “Hell, Ishould have told you about how rich I am before you even signed the contract to work with me.”
She startles me by placing a hand on top of mine that rests on the gear shift.
“The only thing you should have done, is exactly what you did. You were taking things at your own pace. Whatever your reasons were, I know you well enough to know there was no malicious intent behind not being open about this. A couple dickwad reporters don’t scare me. Besides”—she tightens her grip on my hand—“you had your choice and privacy all ripped away from you today. That’s just as shitty and I’m sorry this is happening.”
My chest constricts and I turn my hand in hers, tangling our fingers together and holding her like a lifeline. I’ve been so busy thinking about dealing with everything and making it easier for others, that I haven’t slowed down enough to think about how this makes me feel.
Paige doesn’t push me, leaving me with my thoughts but never letting me go. When I turn down the street to her apartment, I curse.
“How the hell do they know where I live?” Paige gasps, sitting up and staring at the five reporters waiting at the entrance of her building.
I pull the car over where I am, trying to figure out what to do.
Even if we make it past them without an issue, who’s to say they won’t be here waiting for her in the morning? Then she’ll have to deal with them alone. If there are people waiting here, then there are undoubtedly reporters waiting at the offices, since that’s also where my place is. But at least there’s security there.
“Paige,” I say, squeezing her hand and pulling her attention to me. She might have a different plan. However, there’s only one solution I can think of for right now, and I have no idea how she’ll react. “Come stay with me.”