Page 20 of Perfect Composition

“He was,” I told her truthfully.

“Will you tell me more about him?” Beckett’s eyes in my face looked at me pleadingly.

Warring emotions pulsated through me. And what came out of my mouth was almost desperate. “When you’re eighteen, you can ask me anything you want—including his name. Until then, I’ll just say this. He won’t be back in our lives.”

That’s when I knew a pain worse than Beckett leaving. Because I saw him leave my daughter too.

PAIGE

CHAPTER EIGHT

I can’t believe I’m IN at #Redemption! Now I can see what all the buzz is about with this #Kensington. Hey @CuTEandRich3 are you still waiting in line? Hahaha!

—@PRyanPOfficial

“Are you sure there’s nothing else I can get you before we begin letting in some of the patrons?” Marco Houde’s deep voice, with its hints of Paris nights whispering through it, comes from behind me. I turn and smile into his handsome face and feel nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Not even when he lifts my left hand and observes quietly, “I still find it difficult to believe you’re Kensington’s mother. You don’t look much older than she is.”

I pull my hand away gently before joking, “The color in her hair didn’t set us apart?”

“You could carry the same look quite easily, Dr. Kensington.”

Not completely immune to the flattery, I blurt out, “Paige. That’s my first name.”

“Please make it Marco.” He lifts a hand and stops a passing waitress, his obsidian eyes not wavering from my face. “Dr. Kensington’s tab is being picked up by the club tonight.”

“Of course, sir.”

“Thank you, Donna.”

“Do you need anything right now, Dr. Kensington?” she inquires politely.

I’ve been drinking water, but I decide tonight’s a night for a little recklessness. Turning to Marco, I ask, “What would you recommend?”

“Please bring Dr. Kensington tonight’s specialty.”

Donna offers me a quick smile before bustling off. When she does, I demand, “What did you just order me?”

“It’s called ‘Liquid Lingerie.’”

Gulp. Deciding it’s time to make myself clear, I inform him, “I don’t mix business with pleasure, Mr. Houde.”

“I wasn’t aware we had any business together, Dr. Kensington.”

I hold up my hand and state firmly, “My daughter is my business. I put her hopes and dreams ahead of my own.”

Something shifts across Marco’s face. “I hope your daughter realizes the treasure she has in you.”

“I like to think it’s the other way around,” I point out gently as the music begins to play. Wincing, I reach into my pocket for a pair of disposable earplugs. I offer a pair to Marco. “Would you like some?”

He throws back his head and roars with laughter just as Donna returns with my drink—a deep cranberry red to match the walls. Marco reaches for that, as well as the water bottle on the tray, before thanking her. While he holds both drinks, I quickly pinch the foam ear guards and slip them into my ear. I sigh in relief once they’re in place. Reaching for my drink, I ask, “What’s in this?”

“Simply a cranberry martini.” Just as I’m about to take a sip, Marco places a hand gently on my wrist to stay me. “Shall we toast?”

“All right.” I wait while he opens his water. “How about to a long and lucrative relationship between you and my daughter?”