Page 60 of Heart Like Yours
I thought I was living before her, thought that, despite all the heartache and struggles, I had been happy. But being with Paige gives life a whole new meaning and I will spend the rest of mine working to make her as happy as she makes me.
I shake my head, pushing up to kiss her. “I just love you.”
EPILOGUE
PAIGE
5 months later
“Paige!” Eva calls out, waving her hands dramatically across the room. When she sees that she has my attention, she grips the arm of the woman next to her and points enthusiastically.
“Go,” Leo mumbles, stepping up beside me and winking at me. “I’ll take over the wooing.”
“I owe you.” I whisper, offering a polite smile, and excuse myself from the group of new investors. I’ve been wining and dining with this group for the past thirty minutes, and while I wish I could have a few minutes to catch up with Leo so I can ask where his girlfriend is, I don’t hesitate to let him step in for me. This whole party might have been my idea, to help give our partners and employees a chance to mingle, but I am so over smiling.
While making my way toward Eva, I glance around at the party and frown when I don’t find Garrett. Ignoring his absencefor a moment, I swipe a fresh glass of champagne from a passing server and focus on the women now in front of me.
“Finally!” Eva sighs dramatically. “I thought getting you away from investors was going to be impossible.”
“Well considering this party is for them…” I level her with a playful glare, smirking over the rim of my glass.
“Yeah, yeah.” She grumbles before her smile softens and she motions to the woman beside her. “I’d like to officially introduce you to Stella!”
Stella beams at her friend’s introduction and my eyes widen as I take in one of our newest employees. She is easily one of the most intimidatingly beautiful women I have ever seen. Her brown curls are mixed with various shades of blonde, complimenting her smooth bronzed skin. Shining pale blue eyes sparkle back at me, her perfectly painted eyeliner and makeup highlighting her features.
“Holy crap,” I stutter before I can stop myself. My cheeks burn and I shake my head vehemently while I fumble to backtrack. “Sorry. No. I didn’t…that’s not. You’re stunning.”
I groan, closing my eyes and dropping my head. After sucking in a deep breath and shoving my momentary lapse of shock away, I compose myself and grapple for whatever professionalism remains.
“I’m sorry. It’s nice to finally meet you.” I extend a hand out toward her but she just shakes her head and moves in the blink of an eye.
“No apologies necessary!” She says, throwing her arms around me and pulling me in for a hug. My brain doesn’t even let me fight it. I instantly give into her warm embrace, shocking myself and hugging her back. “Eva has told me so much about you. I’m so thankful for you and Mr. Walker giving me a chance!”
She pulls away finally, her face sparkling with relief that is all too familiar.
“We’re excited to have you a part of this next service addition.” I tell her. This next move is the final piece of Garrett’s plan and honestly the one that makes me most nervous. Not because I don’t trust the contracts, steps, and procedures we have in place. I simply worry about everything that could go wrong with adding date for hire services.
Garrett’s not worried though. His calm confidence is one of the only things keeping my fears at bay. We already have inquiries lined up for the rest of the year. Some clients are looking for a date to a banquet or two, others are looking for temporary contracts that would last a few months.
Seeing how beautiful Stella is though sets all my nerves on edge and I make a mental note to shoot Parker an email to make sure we’re doing everything possible to keep our employees protected.
Shaking it off for now, I force a grin at Eva and Stella. “But we’ll save the work talk for Monday. How was the move down?”
Stella groans and rolls her eyes. “Aside from a very dramatic four year old claiming that I was making her sit in the car as punishment for not eating her veggies…it wasn’t bad.”
“But the real question is, did she eat her veggies after the drive?”
“Ate every piece of broccoli last night without complaint.” Stella laughs.
“Maybe she can convince Zoey to eat hers,” Eva laughs.
While they go on to talk about how nice it is to be living close together again while raising toddlers, I half listen and search once more for Garrett.
Leo catches my eye across the room, flicking his gaze in the direction of the exit before turning back to his conversation with the investors. I make quick work of leaving Eva and Stella, thenpolitely dodge everyone I pass so I don’t get sucked into another conversation.
When I exit the ballroom, the security team waiting around their desk all snap into action. I pause and raise a brow when I see Elliot, Garrett’s new personal security, behind the desk.
“In his office?” I ask.