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Paige stood there, unmoving, as if trying not to spook me. All I could think was how good it was to see her. Despite my nerves, despite the small lines I could see on her face, the little signs that time had marked us in our years apart, she still looked like the girl I once knew.
I came to a stop just in front of her.
“Hi,” she said, her eyes misting.
“Hey.” I swallowed.
A silence fell between us, and it was as if the rest of the world had disappeared. Like we were the only two people in the room. There was no time for nerves or fear of what to say. It was just the two of us and for just a second it had felt like no time had passed between us. That comforted me, transporting me back to a place where we’d trusted each other and shared our lives with each other.
“You’re still in the city,” I commented, not sure where to start.
Paige smiled. “I’m just visiting. I moved back to Connecticut a few years ago and got married. We come to the city every other month for a date night.”
My jaw dropped. “Married? Wow!”
An invisible pain lanced through me, and I blinked rapidly, pushing back the tears that threatened to spill. How many times had Paige and I stayed up late talking while she talked about all the things she'd do for her wedding? It had never been a thing I dreamed about, but for her, it was the goal. To date around, have some fun, and then meet her forever person.
She did that, and I wasn't a part of it. Wasn't her maid of honor like we’d talked about all those long nights. Not that I had any right to be after cutting her out so thoroughly.
Paige lifted her left hand, showing off the ring. “His name’s Gabe and he loves art. Hence—” she waved her hand around. It reminded me that we were in a public place and what a small world it was to run into her this night of all nights.
“It's beautiful. I'm happy for you.” And sorry I wasn't there for you.
She gave me a reserved smile, probably protecting her heart just like I had protected mine.
Like a dam bursting, I spewed out, “I'm sorry.”
Paige startled, and on instinct I reached out to her, hands grasping her forearms. “I was a real asshole to you, Paige, and I'm so, so sorry I cut you out like that. You didn't deserve that. You didn't deserve to be punished for something you didn't do.”
She shook her head, her short raven hair swishing across her shoulders. “You have nothing to apologize for.”
My laugh was borderline maniacal. “I actually do.”
Someone bumped into me, and I fell forward. Paige braced me.
The world around me resurfaced. Sure enough we were in the middle of an event. Unlike theReal Housewiveswho always say this isn't the time or place, I worried that this might be my only chance to clear the air. “Can we go somewhere quieter?”
Paige was already scanning the room. “Maybe there's an office we could pop into.”
“Let's go look.” It didn't take long for us to find a backroom. Paige shut the door behind her and the sudden quiet felt oppressive.
I pointed to a small couch. “I'm going to sit for this.”
Paige followed my lead.
My hands were clasped in my lap. If I weren't wearing a tight latex skirt, I'd sit crisscross applesauce and really relax.
Although in this scenario, even the coziest getup probably wouldn't make this conversation easier.
“I'm sorry,” we both blurted out in unison.
We devolved into giggles.
I swiped at a rogue tear. “I'm sorry. That night…” I pinched my eyes shut. “That night left a scar so deep that I measured my life in everything that came before it and everything that happened after.”
Paige nodded solemnly.
“You camebefore. You, and alcohol. I quit both after that night. It completely changed my priorities and how I wanted to walk through this world. I put safety at the forefront and ditched anything I deemed unsafe.”