Page 97 of Perfect Composition

“And another was sent to that organization that delivers animals to help villages.”

She still doesn’t say a word.

“And there might have been an endowment to the University of Texas.”

Her mouth gapes.

I shift uncomfortably. “Didn’t you say if it were up to you, you’d educate doctors and then send them around the world to save lives? And then feed the world? All I did was help speed the process along a bit.”

“You heard what I said,” she whispers incredulously.

I nod.

“And you gave up some of your hard-earned money to what?”

“I thought it would make you happy,” I tell her honestly.

“You have no idea how happy I am right now.” She lifts my hand and presses it against her heart. “Will you tell me why you always chew on your ankh when you’re thinking?”

“Truth?”

“Yes.”

“Because the ankh is supposed to symbolize eternal life.” I begin to chuckle. “And then there was the fact I was trying not to flick some dick off who wanted to steal me away from Wildcard after I got it done. It took every ounce of my patience not to do it. Now, I’m not so sure I would hesitate.”

Her smile is indulgent. “So, it became a habit.”

“Maybe everyone just thinks I’m an asshole because I’m barely refraining from flicking them off?” I query.

“Nah. If I had to hazard a guess, it just adds to your total hotness,” she teases.

The two of us laugh. And then regret spikes through me.This. This is what it would have been like.I want to tell her what I’m feeling, but instead I share, “Carys said Austyn’s trending.” Quickly, I explain everything that’s happening back in New York.

Her fingers go slack on my hand, so it drops. I curve it around her hip. “Beckett, she’s going to flip.”

I chuckle. “I’d be surprised if she doesn’t know.”

“You’re probably right.” Then it hits her, much the same way it did when I was talking with Carys. “That means both of you will be going…soon?”

I swear ripely. “I don’t have to do the Grammys, Paige.”

The look she aims at me essentially asks me if I hear myself talking. I curse again. “All right, yes. I’m going to go do the Grammys. But I’ll be back.”

Her smile is tender. “No, you won’t. You’re going to get back to New York, and you’ll fall back into your life.”

I capture her by the nape of her neck and tug her back down. “I will be back as long as you are in this godforsaken town. I don’t care what I have to do to rearrange my life; I’m not leaving you again.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You’re not asking me. I’m making a promise.”

Paige doesn’t say anything to validate my declaration. She just slides her hands up and cups my cheeks. Her lips meet mine. And that’s when I remind her she’s not too old to ride me out in the open regardless if there are security personnel patrolling her property.

Besides, who gives a fuck? She’s mine. And she better get used to them being around.

PAIGE

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE