Winning Me Over (12 page)

When we plop down on the porch swing, the chains rattle like the clanging of dishes.
Our fingers are still linked, and I circle her palm with my thumb. Her head drops on my shoulder, her hair spilling down my arm.

"Mom was planning to open a bakery about five years ago. Then she got sick and we p
ut it on hold. About a year ago she started talking about it again. I really thought she'd do it this time, but now she's sick again." She pauses, staring out at the street. "I just worry that she'll never realize her dream, you know?"

I nod. "I'm sorry
."

"I bet she would've opened one
years ago if she weren't so busy with my sister and I."

"Hey. I don't think she regrets that." I squeeze Paige's hand.

She shrugs. "Maybe not, but she might at some point when her dream never comes true."

"People's dreams change. Even if her whole life she dreamt of opening a bakery, maybe once she had you and your sister h
er dream became about being a mom to the two of you."

"You really think that?" She peers up at me, her vulnerable expression digging into my heart.

"I do now that I've met you."

"What do you mean?"

"Before I met you I never would've thought that a dream could involve a person. I've always kept pretty distant from people. I don't trust them. I only trust myself and things that are tangible. The truth is that my dream has always been to get as far away from my family as possible and start a life of solitude. I like to write, so I thought one day I could just hole up somewhere and write stories and never see another person. But then I met you, and my dream changed."

"What is it now?"

"I don't know. But I do know that I don't want to be alone anymore."

She rests her head back on my shoulder. "You don't have to be, Colt."

I crane my neck, lowering my chin and kissing the crown of Paige's head. As I sit on the porch swing, Paige's hand nestled in mine, I wonder if that's true. Are my days of loneliness really over? Or is this just a break, a vacation from reality? As good as things seem, I can't seem to stop looking over my shoulder. It's like I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

NINETEEN

PAIGE

I
lower my head, resting it on Colt's shoulder, rocking the porch swing by pushing my toe on the ground. His lips brush over my head, and his thumb strokes the inside of my palm. A feeling of contentedness sweeps over me. I can't believe that just minutes ago I felt so sick and upset, but with just a few sweet words and a little affection from Colt I'm at peace.

It's so odd to me that we met only a month ago. At times I feel like I've known Colt my whole life. Honestly, I can't imagine my life without him. He's fit into it so seamlessly. Even my parents like him. It totally threw me for a loop when I walked in today to find him in the kitchen helping my mom with dinner. I was not expecting that. And yet, in some ways it felt totally natural, as if it's the way things should be.

When I first got home I had every intention of telling Colt about Officer James showing up at the shop today. And I planned to tell him about our conversation and how they still suspect Colt might be involved. But now I just can't bring myself to say anything.

He's f
inally opening up to me. So far he's spent the entire evening with my family, and he hasn't run away or acted distant. And he just admitted that he doesn't want to be alone. He's trusting me more and more every day. I just can't compromise that. If I tell him about Officer James it will just remind him that when I first met him I suspected the worst.

My
stomach aches just thinking about that. If only I hadn't jumped to that conclusion so quickly.  Now that I know Colt, I know he wasn't involved. There's absolutely no way he could hurt me like that.

"You're quiet.
Watcha thinking?" Colt's voice cuts into my inner thoughts.

"Not used to me being quiet, huh?"

"You are usually a chatterbox."

I giggle. "I was just thinking that I'm glad you came over. My parents really like you. I can tell."

"You weren't kidding with the whole
Leave it to Beaver
comment, huh? You really are like a family out of a sitcom."

I lift my head from his shoulder and turn to face him. "That's only because my sister doesn't live here anymore. Macy changes the family dynamic a bit."

"What's she like?"

"Nothing like me.
We're polar opposites. Mom used to tease us about it when we were kids." I pause, trying to figure out how to describe Macy. "She's just one of those people who is never happy. Ever since she was little she's always wanted the things she can't have, and she can never just be content. And when Mom got sick it just pushed her over the edge. She kind of lost it."

Colt releases one of my hands and reaches up to touch my face. "So you felt like you had to pick up the slack, huh?"

"Exactly. Mom and Dad were having a tough enough time, so I felt like I had to stay strong so everyone else could fall apart, you know?"

"This time you're not alone." Colt tips my chin. "You can lean
on me, okay?"

"Promise?"

Colt grunts. "McAllistor."

I smile.
"Fine. But one day I'm going to get you to promise something."

"Don't be too sure of yourself."
He winks.

Leaning forward, I softly press my lips to his. "
Okay, I won't push it. I just have to know one thing."

"What's that?"

"Am I still your only?"

He nods.

"Good, because you're mine too."

It's early morning when my phone rings, surprising me. When I see that it's Colt, I'm even more surprised. I was just about to leave to pick him up for work.

"Hey. You missed me so much you couldn't wait a few more minutes, huh?" I tease.

"Actually, Bud just called me and told me that my shift has been changed to the closing shift. So I guess you're off the hook."

"Why?"

"I guess Jon told him about our little make-out session, so they're splitting us up."

I'm so irritated with Jon I could scream. "You know he just did this because his pride is hurt. He's mad I chose you and not him."

"Yeah. And I want to hate the guy, but I kinda get it."

"What?" I'm shocked by his generous statement. Since when does he give Jon the benefit of the doubt?

"If you had chosen him over me, I'd have it out for the guy too."

I run my brush through my hair, staring at my reflection. "Guys are so barbaric.
" After a few more strokes, I drop the brush on my dresser. It clatters on the slick surface.

"I can show you barbaric if that's what you're into."

I giggle, bending down to pick up my sandals. "I'm a little scared to say yes."

"You don
't ever have to be scared of me."

I stand up, realizing we're no longer joking. "I know, Colt. I'm not."

"Well, I better let you go. Wouldn't want you to be late."

I sink onto the edge of my bed and slip my feet into my sandals. "I wish I was working with you," I whine.

"I'll show up a little early for my shift so I can see you before you're off."

"Sounds good
."  I try to sound more chipper than I feel as I hang up. Making my way out of my room and down the stairs, a nagging foreboding hangs over me, like a raincloud. I have a horrible feeling that something bad is going to happen, and I'm powerless to stop it.

TWENTY

COLT

I
'm glad when I show up at the coffee shop to find Paige working with Bud, and not Jon. My happiness is short lived, though, when I realize that I'll be working with Jon.
Should be a fun night. Not.
The whole reason I got this crappy job was to spend time with Paige. If we aren't allowed to work together, then what's the point? I should just quit. But I know I won't, because the truth is that even though I originally got this job for Paige, I really do enjoy having my own money. For the first time in my life I can contribute financially to my family. The other day I brought home a carton of ice cream after work. Zander went nuts for it, and that made me feel pretty damned good.

In fact, I told
Zander I'd take him to the store this weekend and buy him some new building blocks. So I can't quit my job. I need to have the money to go shopping with him. Besides, it takes some of the pressure of off Callie too.

Under Bud's watchful gaze, Paige and I can't even kiss goodbye. It kills me to watch her walk off to her car without so much as a peck or hug. My lips practically burn from sheer desire. The minute Bud and Paige are gone, Jon starts barking orders at me like I'm his freaking puppy or something.

"You're still pretty upset that Paige chose me over you, huh?" I say, just a small dig.

Jon narrows his eyes at me. "I could care less about you and Paige. I'm just protecting my dad's business. That's all." He points to the
register, at the man standing in front of the counter in a blue collared shirt. "Now get to work. We have customers."

I smirk at him, but do what he tells me. He may be a total asshole, but he's my boss tonight and I have to at least humor him. After serving the customer, Jon tells me to clean the tables. I grab a wet rag, thinking about my first day on the job. As I wipe crumbs off of a slick, round table
, I remember Paige's face when I hit her with the towel. The way her eyes sparkled and her lips opened wide. I think was falling for her even then. Even before I knew her, my heart was slowly making its way to her. From the first moment I saw her, I had a feeling she'd be the one to tear down my defenses; that she'd be the one I let in.

"Interesting tattoo."
Jon materializes in front of me.

I take a step backward. Then I glance down at my arm. Something about his tone is unnerving.

"You know." He taps his chin with his finger. "I remember Paige saying something about a tattoo the night we were robbed. I think she said the robber had one...actually, now that I think about it, she described one very similar to yours."

My face heats up and my body goes rigid. Swallowing thickly, I pick the rag off the table and hold it in my hand. I glare at Jon, daring him to keep talking.

"When was the first time you came to this shop, Colt? I know it wasn't when you applied for a job, because I feel like I saw you one other time."

I know exactly what he's insinuating
, and it makes me sick. I should've known this would happen. He was there that first night I came in. I'm actually surprised he didn't recognize me sooner.

The bell on the door dings
, and my head whips in the direction of a lady walking in holding a baby girl in the crook of her arm.

"Saved by the bell," Jon says. "We'll talk later."

Clearing my throat, I take deliberate steps toward the counter.  I can hear my heart beating in my ears, and my palms are coated in moisture. Jon isn't like Paige. He won't just take my word for it and let the whole thing go. There's no way I'll be able to convince him I wasn't a part of the robbery if he's convinced that I was. I guess the days of running from my past are over
. I have a feeling it's time to face the music.

Much to my relief, Jon and I are too busy to talk again during our shift. It flies by in a flurry of coffees, cash, credit cards and pastries. By the time it's over I've worked up a pretty good sweat
, and I'm exhausted. Jon asks me to close out the register and he goes in the back to restock supplies for the morning. I'm surprised that he's trusting me with the money after our cryptic conversation earlier. As I count the money in my palm, I wonder if maybe I misread the whole thing. Perhaps I'm just letting my own paranoia get to me.

He
doesn't mention anything again as we lock up. In fact, before heading to his car he turns to me with a smile. "See you tomorrow."

I'm surprised by his sudden change in attitude. "Yeah, okay," I say, staring after him dumbfounded. Is it possible that I i
magined the whole thing earlier?

"Hey, you."

I jump at the sound of Paige's voice. When I turn, she throws her arms around my neck and crushes her lips to mine. My body responds to hers without any coaxing. My arms wrap around her waist, our tongues mesh together and a low moan rattles in my throat. 

"What are you doing here?" I growl, stealing another kiss on her neck. "Not that I'm complaining."

"I came to give you a ride home."

"I hate that you have to keep carting me around. I need to get my license and a car."

Paige skates her fingers up my arm, her red fingernails mingling with my black ink. It reminds me of Jon's words and causes my insides to clench. "If you did, then you wouldn't need me anymore." She pushes out her lower lip in a pout. I think she's going for sad, but she's achieved damn sexy.

"Believe me, I'll still need you. A car can't do this, right?" I draw her to me, brushing my lips over hers. I feel the tug of my lip ring as it drags across her mouth.

"I hope not. If it does, then I'll have a little competition on my hands."

"You'll win that competition."

"I will?" She raises her brows.

"If the prize is me, you'll win it every time,
McAllistor."