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"You weren’t to blame for your father, and you weren’t to blame for any of the lies Whitney told And you’ve supported her in every way you possibly could Until we both realized just how bad her lies really were" He kissed her knuckles so gently she wanted to melt into him "God, I a that But don’t you see? I’ve always taken her crap because it was easier than standing up, or pushing back, or going for the life and the love I truly wanted" She shook her head, feeling the weight of all the things she hadn’t done But that ended now "I’ fear and excuses and, uilt hold me back"

She wouldn’t wimp out this time Not if there was a chance that she and Evan could o--and look how that had turned out

It was finally time to be bold

They’d pulled up to her condo by the tio to Chicago with you and your fah to deserve you, Paige?"

She smiled then, despite the heavy tension of unrequited desire in the air between the"

Then she kissed hiue with her

Her fight for his heart was definitely on

A fight she hoped both of them would win in the end

Chapter Twenty

They arrived at Susan and Bob’s at two thirty Saturday afternoon "Hoas the flight, dear?" Susan’s sht it lit up the roo

Theresa, Tony, and Kelsey had been utterly awed by his luxurious private plane stocked with gourmet food and drinks Evan had done his best to make them all feel comfortable, but as he had an i on hie was the one who truly smoothed the way for the three newcomers

All the while, Evan had been alood she looked in her jeans and sweater How soft her hair hen she flipped it over her shoulder, a few strands brushing his face How beautiful her eyes hen she shter On top of that, Paige’s fragrance had been so than the chaether since New Year’s was still fresh inside his head, his heart It wasn’t just their attraction that drew him to her It was the way sheup to her past mistakes with her sister and her father It was how confident she was that anything truly was possible