Page 17 of Bride Games

17

Paige

P aige stared at her computer screen in a daze, wishing she could tell Zach about Emma and Eli’s proposal and chuckle about their bridal colors and the orange conundrum. But he was gone. Again. Mr. Hales had surprisingly sent Zach on the road more and more without her. He had covered a golf tournament, a tennis tourney, and to some NFL team practices in other states. Since they couldn’t exactly be seen much in public—as a couple at least since they both worked at ATV 10—she began to worry if their relationship was plausible.

The thought of the prank call days earlier entered her mind occasionally, mostly at bedtime. Paige shuddered but a small smile formed when she remembered how Zach had tried to reassure her, saying it was likely a one-off and someone who was attracted to her knockout looks.

A knock on the door jarred her out of her trance. When she glanced up, a man holding a dozen white roses said, “Paige Daniels.”

Crossing her office, she beamed. “The one and only. How lovely. Thanks.” After the delivery man left, she cleared a corner off her messy desk and inhaled the sweet velvety scent. Just when I think Zach has forgotten about me—about us while traveling—he does this. She reached for her cellphone to thank him while simultaneously plucking out the tiny white envelope to read the card. Her eyes widened. Oh, no!

The card simply read:

Please give me another chance. I messed up. Trent.

Paige took a deep breath, dropped her cellphone back in her purse, and decided she wouldn’t bother acknowledging the card from her former fiancé. Their breakup was his fault after he cheated. You don’t get to do this, Trent. You screwed up. I might have loved you at one time but you shattered my trust. I’m not risking my heart with you again. Nope. No way.

Besides, dating Trent had been a monumental challenge since he was the main television anchor across town. Their previous engagement had been top-secret since their stations competed for market share. A twinkle appeared in Paige’s eye. She knew Trent hated the fact she had outmaneuvered him ratings-wise due to her sports gig and secretly wondered if he wanted to one-up her again. Rather than overthink it, Paige picked up the roses and took them to the reception area.

“Those are beautiful,” the receptionist said. “I saw the delivery guy bring them in. Lucky you.”

“They’re yours now.”

Clearly gobsmacked, the receptionist let the station’s phone ring several times before going to voicemail. “Really?” She reached for the vase and plunked the bouquet on her desk. “Thanks.”

“Enjoy.” Paige turned on her heel, smiling the entire way to her office. Trent wasn’t exactly cheap but he wasn’t extravagant either. He’d be furious she gave his precious roses away. She’d take any satisfaction she could get. Settling back in her office chair, Paige brought up ESPN’s website and social media. She enjoyed studying the competition—never copying it—but learning from others and thinking of new and different ways to cover sports. Better ways with unique story angles. ESPN had hired the gorgeous, effervescent Marie Fallon about six months after Paige made a big splash on the sports scene. Paige scowled as she scrolled through some of Marie Fallon’s sports stories, which were eerily similar to Paige’s. She rolled her eyes, wishing she had noticed the similarities before briefly meeting Marie at the hotel. Her trilling phone made her stop scrolling. “Paige Daniels.”

“Hey, Paige. It’s Zach. I just called to say I miss you.”

“Hey you.” Paige blew out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “I needed that today. I miss you too—a lot.”

“Rough day?”

Paige shrugged, even though no one could see her. “I guess. Not bad, really. How’s it going? Where are you?” Pressing her phone to her ear since the background noise was loud, she asked, “Are you in a bar? It sounds downright bawdy.”

“Actually, yeah, I am.”

Paige heard a female giggle. This ought to be good. “And?”

“I’m…wow. You’re not going to believe this.”

Paige heard more muffled giggles. “Try me.” Not in the mood for games, especially after Trent’s roses, she got up and closed her office door. “Who is with you, Zach?”

“Remember Marie Fallon from ESPN?”

Bristling, Paige felt her nose scrunch. The one who is copying my format for story ideas and athletes’ profiles. The one who practically sat on your lap when we drove to the airport? Paige spoke in a clipped tone. “She’s rather difficult to forget.”

“Guess what?” Zach sounded a little too excited. “Marie’s having a huge party this weekend. She invited me. She said you can come too.”

“No thanks.”

“Don’t you want to think about it?” Zach’s voice sounded perplexed.

“Nope.”

“Why not? Marie said some retired and current NFL players will be there. Sounds like she has an enormous house with a swimming pool and everything. She said the party will be catered with a full bar. Wild right?” Zach whistled as Paige heard Marie add, “A band too, Zachy.”

Paige rolled her eyes as Zach said, “Doesn’t that sound fun?” It sounds like torture. Great. She’s beautiful, sexy—and rich. A perfect trifecta. “I can’t go. I promised I’d take my best friend, Emma, out to eat somewhere nice. You know for all the wedding prep she did for me for no good reason.” Paige hesitated for good measure. “I still feel guilty about it.”

“Oh, come on, Paige. It’ll be a blast. Besides, didn’t you tell me you gave your friend the wedding dress she chose for you? The one that you?—”

“Never wore. Yeah, I gave it to her.”

“I’d say that’s payment enough. Those things are expensive, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, but the time she put in. You can’t get time back—ever—and she’s a single mom. I never should have asked her to plan my stupid non-wedding.”

“Don’t beat yourself up.” Zach’s voice lifted. “All the more reason to party this weekend. Can’t you reschedule your dinner with Emma? I’m sure she’d understand.”

“I’m not feeling it, Zach. I’m craving downtime after so many road trips last season. But you go and have fun.” Just not too much fun.