“You’re a first-timer? A Priscilla’s virgin? Oh, I gotta buy you a drink.”
Paige laughed. “No, thanks, Sasha. I drove, so I’m sticking to water.”
“Next time, then.”
The women moved aside as bar employees began removing the tables to clear the dance floor. Fifteen minutes later, the DJ turned up the music, and a dance party ensued.
Jen came over to them then, and after introductions, she pulled Sasha onto the dance floor. Before long, their moves were leaving little to the imagination.
“See what I mean?” Val asked as they watched.
“Um, yeah. No public shyness there,” Paige replied.
“Well, what do you say we make the most of our kid-free night out and dance?”
“Oh, I couldn’t—I haven’t danced in forever,” Paige said, shaking her head.
“Come on. It’s just like riding a bike.” She took Paige’s hand and led her into the crowd of dancers.
“I’m not very good at this,” Paige complained, awkwardly trying to find her groove. Val was dancing like a pro, moving effortlessly to the music.
“Don’t try so hard. Just feel the rhythm.” She took Paige’s hands in hers. “Just let go. You look amazing.”
After a couple more fast songs, the DJ switched gears. Paige stood for a moment, watching as couple after couple embraced in a slow dance, then turned to leave the floor. Val’s hand on her arm stopped her.
“Not yet. Dance with me?”
Despite the alarm bells clanging in Paige’s head, Val’s beauty was magnetic, her smile impossible to resist. Paige slowly took Val’s hand and allowed herself to be drawn into the dance. Her heels brought her to the perfect height, and as Val touched her cheek to Paige’s, everything else seemed to disappear. Paige was mesmerized by Val’s warm hand on her back, gently stroking her bare skin, her breath soft in her ear. Paige was so aroused she nearly whimpered. God, it’s been so long.
Val pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. The intensity between them was staggering, and Paige felt something shift as Val leaned closer. She’s going to kiss me.
And the song ended. As the music changed to an up-tempo beat, Val looked at Paige, almost in surprise, blinked, and took a step back.
“Wow. Okay, I need a drink.” Val moved away, then turned back around. “Stay right here. Please.”
Paige nodded, and as she watched Val weave her way through the crowd, she let her breath out in a whoosh. What just happened?
Paige’s thoughts were interrupted by a loud, familiar voice, saying, “You two were looking awfully cozy there.”
Paige turned and met the unexpected face of Lisa Webster. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t you think you’re blurring the line just a bit?”
Paige’s stomach clenched. “I don’t see how this is any of your business, Lisa. I’m not doing anything wrong.”
Lisa put up her hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I don’t mean to put my nose where it doesn’t belong. Just be careful, that’s all.”
“Of what?” Paige asked, although she really didn’t want to hear the answer.
“Professional boundaries aside, I just don’t think Valerie Cruz is someone you should get too invested in. I mean, she’s gorgeous and charming, but take it from me—she doesn’t do relationships. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
Paige felt like she’d been punched in the gut. Her mind replayed the last hour—the touches, the closeness. Val had nearly kissed her, and she had wanted her to, badly. Lisa’s words brought the reality of her situation back into focus and made all of her warning bells start clanging, nearly obliterating what she had just felt dancing in Val’s arms. She scanned the room and caught sight of Val, leaning on the bar and talking to another woman. Oh, God, what am I doing? I barely know her. I should never have let things get this far.
Needing some air, Paige nodded at Lisa and headed for the door as fast as she could.
* * *
Val was having the best night she’d had in…she couldn’t remember how long. Music had always been a good way for her to deal with her anxiety, and dancing was like medicine for her stress. Still waiting for her drink, she turned around and leaned against the bar just in time to see the stricken look on Paige’s face before she bolted for the door. Lisa the Lawyer caught her eye, then looked away.
Val rushed across the room. “What did you say to her?”
Lisa shrugged. “I might have just cautioned her not to let things get too serious with you. Plus, she’s working on your case. You get the conflict of interest, don’t you?”
“How is this your business? You had no right.” Val was so angry her clenched fists were shaking. Before she could give in to her strong desire to slap Lisa’s face, she shoved past her and ran out the door. She scanned the parking lot and the street, then saw headlights come on to her left. She recognized Paige’s vehicle and ran over.
“Wait,” Val yelled, knocking on the driver’s side window. Paige looked at her through the glass, then slowly lowered the window.
“Paige, please, you don’t have to go. Whatever Lisa said to upset you…”
“It’s fine. I’m just tired and want to get home to my daughter.”
Val couldn’t get Paige to meet her eyes, and her anxiety spiked. “Are we okay?”
Paige sighed. “Listen, I’m sorry. I stepped a bit too far outside my professional boundaries, and Lisa just reminded me of that. I had a really good time tonight, but I’ve got to go. Have fun with your friends, okay? Good night, Val.”
Val felt helpless as Paige closed her window and slowly drove away. She smacked her palm down on the nearest car. “Shit.”
Chapter Fifteen
Paige sat in the break room, absently staring at her untouched mug of vanilla chai. She could not for the life of her get motivated this morning. Saturday night’s events had taken up residence in her brain, traveling on a continuous loop of uneasiness and disappointment, and sleep had been elusive. She looked up as Connie breezed in, all chipper and smiling, then dropped her attention back to her mug.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Connie said, then stopped in her tracks. “Ooh, maybe not.” She poured a cup of coffee, then dropped into the chair opposite Paige. “Okay, spill it.”
“Spill what?”
“The reason why you look like you just lost your best friend.”
“I’m just tired, that’s all,” Paige deflected, not looking at Connie.
“That’s what I thought when you interrupted my babysitting fairly early Saturday night, but now I’m thinking there’s more to the story than sleep deprivation.” Connie sat back in her chair, crossed her arms, and waited.
“Why can I never hide anything from you? You’re like a bloodhound.” Paige couldn’t help but smile at the determined look on her colleague’s face.
“Damn right. Now, what’s got you looking so sad?”
“Guess I just got my hopes up about somebody and found out I shouldn’t have.”
“Hmm…anyone I know?” Connie arched an eyebrow inquiringly, a knowing smile on her face. “Our lovely Valerie, perhaps?”
“Ugh, how do you do that?”
“Do what?” Connie was the picture of innocence.
“Figure things out before anyone else does.”
“I’ve been around a long time, honey, and reading people is my special gift. So, it’s Val, isn’t it?”
Paige nodded, then filled Connie in on what had transpired at the bar. By the time she finished, Connie’s eyes were flashing with anger.
“Maybe Lisa’s intentions were good, though I doubt it. At any rate, she shouldn’t have meddled.”
“Val told me that she and Lisa hooked up a while back. Lisa wanted to take things further, but Val didn’t.”
“Let me get this straight—Lisa has a tiny bit of history with Val and apparently felt obligated to remind you of your professional obligations. You and Val were just having a good time and are
n’t even seeing each other, yet you got upset enough to leave. That about sum it up?” Connie said.
“Well, when you put it that way. Oh my God, I feel like such an ass.”
“Because you have feelings for Val. If you didn’t, Lisa wouldn’t have scared you away.”
“What? No, I…I mean, we’re just friends. I can’t have feelings for her. Lisa was right about the professional boundaries thing, wasn’t she?”
“To a certain extent,” Connie replied, “but those boundaries won’t be there forever. Do you care about Val?”
Paige sighed. “I’m starting to, but Lisa hit on the exact reason why I haven’t dated in years. My last relationship was pretty much one-sided, and it ended badly. I didn’t want to believe what she was saying about Val, but part of me just got scared, I guess.” Paige scrubbed her hands down her face and sighed. “I guess I just got ahead of myself. I don’t even know Val that well.”
“I’m certainly not privy to the details of her love life, and Val would be mortified if she knew we were even discussing this. She does have a hell of a story, but that’s hers to tell. I will say that Val is as loyal and honest as they come. If there’s information to be had, you’d best get it from her.”
Paige nodded. “Thanks, Connie.”
“Any time, sweetie.” Connie patted her hand and left the room.
Now she just had to get up the nerve to talk to Val. Who probably hates me. Well done.
* * *
“Look what I got at school!” Lily waved a sparkly pink card in Val’s face as she helped Ian with his coat at the daycare center.
“What is it?”
“It’s for a birthday party, and it’s at Chuck E. Cheese’s.” Lily was nearly exploding with excitement. “Can I go, please?”
“Whose party is it?” Val asked, scooping up Ian’s backpack and herding them toward the parking lot.
“Emma’s, and it’s gonna be so fun. I’ve never been to Chuck E. Cheese’s. I really, really wanna go. Please?”
Emma’s birthday. That meant Paige would be there. They hadn’t spoken since Paige ran off from the bar that night two weeks earlier, and Val wanted to avoid what was sure to be an awkward encounter. But she couldn’t disappoint Lily over her own ego. “Okay, kiddo. You can go.”
Lily let out a squeal and hugged Val tightly. “Thank you.” Then just as quickly, her face fell. “I have to get her a present, though. I don’t have any money.”
“I’ll help you out with that. What do you think Emma would like?”
Lily just stared at her. “You’ll give me money?”
“Well, of course, silly. You’re not old enough to make your own money yet.” Val opened the car door and buckled Ian in his seat. When she turned around, Lily was just standing next to the car, tears streaming down her face. “What’s the matter, Lil?”
“My…my mom never let me go to birthday parties. She said she wasn’t gonna waste her money on someone else’s brat.”
“Oh, honey,” Val said, her heart twisting, “you don’t need to worry about that. Emma’s your good friend, and I’ll make sure you get to help her celebrate her birthday, okay?”
“Okay,” Lily replied, looking like she wasn’t at all sure she could trust this good news.
As Val drove home, an old memory resurfaced.
She’d been so excited. She had her best outfit on and had brushed her hair half a dozen times. She grabbed the gift she had carefully made by hand with scraps from Abuelita’s sewing bag—a little doll for her best friend Maria’s eighth birthday.
“Mama, it’s time to go to the party,” she’d called, running down the hall from her room. The sight before her made her stop dead. A pot of water was boiling over on the stove, the unopened box of mac and cheese on the counter. Enrique was sitting in his high chair, tears drying on his sleeping face. The contents of his filthy diaper had leaked onto his leg. She turned off the burner and put the pot in the sink, then turned to look for her mom. She saw her in the living room, half sprawled on the couch, asleep.
When she got closer, her heart sank. The strap was still around Mama’s arm, just above the needle. She wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon. Tears of anger ran down her face as she put down the birthday gift and went to take care of her brother. She’d never made it to Maria’s party, and yet another piece of her childhood was destroyed.
Val blinked rapidly, then glanced in the rearview mirror. Ian was asleep, his sweet face flushed. Lily was reading her library book. She glanced up and caught Val’s eye in the mirror. Her sweet smile made Val’s heart ache. Yes, little one. You will go to that party.
* * *
“Hold out your hand for the stamp, Ian,” Val instructed as they gained entry into Chuck E. Cheese’s. Lily was bouncing on her toes, looking at all the lights and games. Taking the kids by the hand, Val walked toward the area in the back of the restaurant that was marked with party balloons. A blur of pink came from the right, tackling Lily in a hug.
Emma was dressed from head to toe in sparkly princess pink, complete with a birthday crown. “Come on, Lily. Let’s go get your tokens.”
Val nodded to her to go on and watched the girls run off to…Paige. There she was, looking simultaneously adorable and sexy in a ponytail and purple hoodie, handing out little plastic cups of tokens. She was fully in mom mode, greeting and directing the kids, chatting with the other parents, and arranging the birthday gifts on a small table.
Val brought Ian over. When Paige saw them, her smile faltered and her cheeks flushed, but she recovered so quickly that no one seemed to notice, except Val.
“Hello, Paige.” Val caught and held her gaze, smiling.
“Hi. Thanks for coming.” Paige broke eye contact and squatted down to greet Ian. “Hey, buddy, glad you’re here. Want to play some games?” Ian nodded, wide-eyed, and Paige handed him his cup of tokens. He immediately began tugging on Val’s hand.
Well played, Val thought, glancing back at Paige as Ian pulled her away. Conversation avoided, for now.
Thirty minutes later, Ian’s tokens were gone and he had redeemed his handful of tickets for a small red bouncy ball, a plastic snake, and a purple bracelet for his sister. She took him over to the jungle gym area and let him loose, then sat at a nearby table. Scanning the crowd, she saw Lily with Emma and two other girls playing Skee-Ball. Looking the other way, she found Paige, who was putting a pink napkin beside each paper plate on the long party table.
* * *
Paige sensed the connection before she looked up and met Val’s eyes. Neither one looked away, and Paige felt her belly tighten as she remembered how it had felt to dance with her. Across the room, Val’s hand moved to her throat, then up to smooth back her hair. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, then just as quickly, she closed her mouth with a slight shake of her head and looked away. Paige felt like she’d been slapped. I’ve hurt her.
The next hour was a flurry of activity as the kids had their pizza and cake, and Emma opened her presents. The party was a good diversion from her feelings, but Paige was still conscious of Val’s presence. They had to talk.
As the other parents began gathering their children to leave, Paige approached Val.
“Hey, do you think you could stay for a few more minutes? I could use the help, if you wouldn’t mind.” She gestured to the leftover cake and piles of presents she had to take to the car.
“Uh, sure.” Val put down the kids’ coats and waited. Twenty minutes later, the kids and presents were loaded up, and they were standing outside at Paige’s car.
“Thanks for your help, Val. Always helps to have another pair of hands at these things.”
“No problem. You all set?”
“Actually, I was hoping we could find a time to talk.” There, she’d said it. Paige held her breath, waiting for Val’s response.
Val’s dark eyes studied Paige. “What about?”
Paige looked down, turning her car keys over and over in her hand. “I want to explain w
hy I left the bar that night.”
“Does it matter?”
Paige looked at Val and recognized the same wary distance in her eyes that she’d seen when they first met. “Yes, it matters, a lot actually.”
“You don’t owe me any explanations, Paige. Maybe it’s best if we just forget it.”
“But I—”
“I need to get the kids home. I’ll see you next week, okay? And thanks for inviting Lily and Ian today.” Val offered a small smile. “Bye.”
“Bye.” Paige didn’t move as she watched Val get into her car and drive away. So much needed to be said, but apparently Val wasn’t going to go there with her. Maybe Lisa was right, damn her. Just keep it professional. Paige nodded to herself and got in the car, willing herself not to cry.
“Mommy?” Emma said.
“Hmm?”
“Did you and Miss Val have a fight?”
Startled, Paige glanced in the rearview mirror at her daughter. “No, honey. Why?”
“You just looked really sad when you were talking to her.”
“We weren’t fighting, just having a grown-up talk.”
“That’s good. Lily and I think you guys should be friends like we are, because we all have a lot in common, right?”
“Yep.” Paige needed to divert her astute little girl to a new topic. “Did you have fun at your party?”
That worked. Emma chattered happily all the way home, giving Paige a blessed reprieve from thoughts of Val.
Chapter Sixteen
Christmas shopping was kind of crazy, Val decided. She hadn’t had anyone but Sasha to buy for in years, so she’d avoided the crowds, packed parking lots, and retail marketing overload, until now. Having two young children who believed in Santa Claus changed things drastically.
She’d taken the day off to do her shopping, but judging from the line she was standing in, so had everyone else in town. As she stood waiting and people watching, a little old woman shuffled by. Val did a double take and gasped. Abuelita. The woman was small, her face deeply lined beneath her head scarf, and she wore a worn flowered house coat and heavy stockings under her thin winter coat. Val stared, her heart pounding. She knew it wasn’t her grandmother, but holy Christ, the resemblance was incredible. Val’s mind was suddenly flooded with memories.
Taking Chances Page 9