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"I don’t know if balance is even possible She runs away because of all the crapthe same kind of stuff" The set of his jaw said how much that pissed him off

"People sometimes fall into a pattern They don’t always realize it until it’s too late But she did tell us she wanted to try"

He set his spoon down, put his elbows on the table, and looked at her over his laced fingers "I don’t trust her not to find another sleazebag even worse than this one And I’’s face if he co for another chance"

"I’ve seen it happen with a few of et my point"

"Yes" But this was about e she’d done Hishorrendous acts against hie Maybe because he saw her as just another wo from him Whitney wanted his iveness

And Paige wanted the biggest thing anyone could ask for

His love

Chapter Eighteen

"Thank you for dinner," Paige said as they strolled back to her place It was full dark now, and despite the fact that it had been a relatively warht had a definite chill "It was even better than I ie had asked tough questions and et, but he liked that she wasn’t afraid to challenge hi him past his comfort zone He liked how comfortable it felt to walk beside her, even when they didn’t say rance, the color of her eyes

He couldn’t think of a single thing he didn’t like about her Apart fro when she tucked her hands into the sleeves of her sweater, he asked, "Are you cold?"

"A little"

He reached out to touch her fingertips "You’re freezing" Stopping, he slid both her hands between his palms and rubbed therow darker "That feels nice" Her voice was low and husky "Really nice"

Despite the danger that touching her posed to his self-control, he didn’t let go of her hand as they started walking again

He couldn’t help but relish the feel of her so close to hi earth-shattering or deep, the kinds of things they wouldn’t even remember the next day But he kneould recall the peacefulness of it, even in theoff between them

All too soon, they were back at her condo He wasn’t done yet He wanted ht, despite everything