Connie smiled. “Sounds like you found something worth pursuing.”
Paige’s heart fluttered in her chest. “Hope so. I always feel better after I talk to you.”
“Hey, I live to serve.”
“Unfortunately, my social life isn’t what I needed to talk to you about.”
“Oh?”
“I got a call from Sheryl Watkins. Seems that Lily and Ian are not adjusting as well as we had hoped. She said Lily constantly talks about wanting to come home, and that Ian barely speaks. Lily has even begun to have trouble in school.” For the first time, Paige was worried that this placement was going to fail. She was relatively new to the foster care job, and she had yet to have a foster family send a child back because of problems. Her heart ached to think of Lily and Ian being so unhappy, but she’d had to do her job and send them there.
“What did you say to her?” Connie asked.
“I just told her that all kids adjust differently, and to be patient. I also made sure she’s keeping up with their therapy appointments.”
“Good. Sometimes it takes a while, but I am concerned that Lily is still asking to come home. You made it clear that staying here wasn’t an option?”
“Yes.”
“Just continue to monitor the situation. Things will work out,” Connie said.
Back at her desk, Paige’s thoughts went to Val, as they so often did now. She wanted her input, but this case was way too close to Val, and it would upset her to hear that the kids weren’t doing well. There was nothing to be done but hope for the best. Paige felt powerless, and it sucked.
* * *
“Emma, I’m done folding the laundry. Come help me put your clothes away.”
“Hold on, Mommy. I’m almost done with my picture.”
A couple of minutes later, Emma joined Paige and started sorting out her clean clothes. She was in a good mood, humming to herself as she put away socks and pajamas.
“What are you working on out there?” Paige asked.
“A picture for Lily,” she replied.
A thought struck Paige then, and she felt it like a punch in the stomach. What if maintaining contact with Emma was keeping Lily from moving on? She’d glanced at some of their correspondence, which was mostly eight-year-old chatter and artwork, but maybe she needed to take a closer look.
“How’s Lily doing?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I think she’s sad because nobody’s listening to her.”
“Oh?” Paige said, feigning ignorance. “What do you mean?”
“She wants to come home, but they won’t let her.”
“Well, honey, that is her home now,” Paige said.
“It was supposed to work!” Emma said, her voice suddenly distraught. She looked at Paige as if she’d been caught being naughty, then bit her lip and turned away.
“What was supposed to work?” Paige asked warily. Something was definitely up.
“Nothing,” Emma mumbled.
“Emma,” Paige said, in her no-secrets-from-Mommy tone.
Emma started to cry. “We made a plan,” she said, “before Lily left. We thought that if she fussed a lot and acted sad, they’d give her back to Miss Val. And then maybe you’d be happier, too, cause we could all be together. Like a family.”
Well, shit. “Emma, come here.” She sat on Emma’s bed and stood her daughter before her. “I know you and Lily are good friends, but you should not have made a plan like that. Lily should be working on making a new life and new friends there. You want her to be happy, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but she was happy here,” Emma said, sniffling.
“Listen, Em, I know you don’t understand all this, but if you want to be a good friend to Lily, you should help her to be okay in her new home.” Paige’s head hurt—how could she have been such a complete idiot not to foresee this problem? And what the hell did Emma mean about them all being a family? Had she really been so transparent that her child could see how she felt about Val?
“Mommy, please don’t say anything. I don’t want Lily to get in trouble.” Emma looked deeply worried, and Paige felt a rush of affection for her compassionate little girl.
“I won’t, but I’ll be helping you with your letters from now on. Got it?”
“Okay.” Emma threw her arms around Paige, a fresh round of tears threatening. Paige held her and rubbed her back, but her mind was on the hot mess she might have inadvertently helped create. Way to go, dumbass.
Chapter Thirty-one
Val glanced at her ringing phone and smiled as she picked it up. “Hey, I was just thinking about you.”
“Perfect,” Paige replied, “because I was just thinking about you plus me plus lunch. Could you meet me in half an hour?”
“I think I could make that happen. Where?”
“Well, I have to be in court all afternoon, so somewhere close. How about Panera?” Paige said.
“Sounds good. I’ll see you soon,” Val said.
“Looking forward to it.”
Val hung up, amazed at how just the sound of Paige’s voice could improve her day dramatically. She finished up what she’d been working on and walked out to the circulation desk.
“Hey, Linda, I’m going to step out for lunch.”
Linda looked at her, head tilted to the side. “Excuse me, but I thought I heard you say you were stepping out for lunch.”
“That’s what I said,” Val replied.
“You, who have eaten lunch in that office every day for years, are stepping out for lunch.”
“Hey, maybe I want to shake it up a little,” Val said, only a little defensively.
Linda tilted her head the other way, then her eyes opened wide. “You’re meeting someone.”
Val tried to smother her smile but failed miserably. “Maybe.”
“Oh my God, you have a lunch date. Who is she?” Linda looked like she’d just won the lottery.
“Relax, would you? I’m just meeting a friend. I’ll be back in time for your break. Bye.” Val waved at Linda over her shoulder and headed to the door.
“Don’t hurry back on my account,” Linda called after her. Val shook her head, laughing.
On the short drive to the restaurant, Val felt a little tingly in anticipation of seeing Paige. They hadn’t had the chance to truly be alone since the weekend, but Val felt no pressure. They spoke every day, and their conversations were easy and light. So far, so good.
She parked and entered the restaurant but didn’t find Paige. Taking a seat by the nearest window, she watched the lunch hour crowd coming and going until she saw her. Paige was walking across the parking lot, looking sophisticated and sexy in a navy blue skirt and jacket, a coral pink blouse adding a splash of color. Val’s work attire was far less elegant, and she felt momentarily underdressed in her khakis and black sweater. When Paige walked in the door, she found Val almost immediately and smiled—and at that moment, nothing else mattered.
Val stood and accepted Paige’s quick hug, wishing everyone would leave so she could hold on a whole lot longer. She was still able to catch Paige’s scent of lavender, and it soothed her senses.
“If this is what you wear to court, how does anyone pay attention to the case?”
“Ha ha,” Paige said, but Val could tell she was pleased. “Thanks for meeting me, Val. I had a crazy morning, and I had to get out of there for a bit. Seeing you is just the bonus I needed.”
“My pleasure,” Val replied. “Know what you want to eat?”
They ordered salads and found a booth in the far back corner. Val reached over the table and held Paige’s hand. They just looked at each other, fingers lightly caressing.
“What have you got going on the rest of the day?” Paige asked.
“I’m planning for a fundraising contest. Kids will get pledges for how many books they can read in a month, and the money will be used to buy books for the library at the children’s hospital. Would Emma like to do it?”
“Probably. It’s a gre
at idea, and she loves to read,” Paige said.
“You know what I love to see, besides you in that suit?” Val said.
Paige grinned. “What?”
“Kids reading instead of staring at electronics. Call me crazy.”
“I happen to agree with you wholeheartedly. You and I were both avid readers, and look how fabulously we turned out,” Paige noted.
“You definitely did,” Val said. She beckoned Paige to lean closer and whispered, “I want to kiss you senseless right now.”
A powerful blush colored Paige’s cheeks, and Val wanted to follow it with her fingers as it crept down her throat and into the vee of her blouse.
“Eyes up here,” Paige murmured, and when Val met her gaze, the connection shot straight to her groin. Just then, the server arrived with their food, thankfully giving them something else to focus on.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea,” Paige said casually, as she pulled a hunk off of her baguette. “Now I have to sit in court all afternoon in damp panties and pretend I’m paying attention.”
Val almost choked on her salad. Recovering, she said, “And to think I had you pegged as uptight when we first met.”
Paige drew in a dramatic breath. “You did not.”
“Did too, but I’ve amended my first impression.”
“And now?” Paige asked, the tines of her fork gently pulling down her bottom lip.
“And now you’re so hot you’re driving me crazy.” Val fanned her face with her napkin. “Hurry up and eat. This place is way too crowded.”
“It’s not like we can go anywhere. I have to be in court in half an hour,” Paige pointed out.
“After work?”
“I’ll have Emma,” Paige said, looking very amused.
“The universe is conspiring against me,” Val lamented, throwing up her hands.
“Emma will be in bed by eight.”
“You totally just batted your eyelashes at me. Was that an invitation?” Val said.
“Would you like it to be?”
“Hmm, let me see—is the pope Catholic? Do bears shit in the woods? Is Donald a colossal asshole on Twitter?”
Paige laughed out loud, then covered her mouth with her hand in embarrassment. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You’re adorable when you laugh,” Val said, as she stood to clean up their plates. “And I’ll be seeing you later.”
* * *
Paige heard the car in the driveway and was waiting at the door when Val knocked gently. She counted to ten so she didn’t seem too eager, then opened the door.
“Hey,” Paige said softly. “Come on in.” Val had changed into a soft blue pullover and jeans that fit like they were made just for her. She was gorgeous.
Val looked her up and down. “I was hoping you’d still have that suit on, but this is even better.”
Paige looked down at her favorite jeans and off the shoulder sage-green peasant blouse. “I’m all about comfort by the end of the day.”
“Comfortable looks good on you,” Val said, stepping closer. She slid her hand into Paige’s hair, cupping the back of her head.
Paige’s pulse quickened as they stared into each other’s eyes. Val pulled her close, and everywhere their bodies touched tingled in anticipation.
“Can I kiss you senseless now?” Val whispered.
Paige nodded. “You’d better.”
Val claimed her mouth eagerly, her lips soft yet demanding, and the result was intoxicating. Paige felt like she couldn’t get close enough, but she tried, burying her hands in Val’s thick hair and pressing their bodies together. She moaned as Val’s tongue traced the inside of her lips, then plunged inside her mouth. Val slowly walked her backward until her back met the wall, and taking her hands, she raised Paige’s arms over her head. Holding them there, Val began a delicious assault on her neck, licking and sucking before claiming her lips once again.
Paige’s legs trembled, and when Val pressed her thigh between them, her knees nearly gave way.
“Couch,” she managed to say between kisses.
They stumbled to the living room, kissing and giggling. Val sat and pulled Paige down to straddle her lap, her mouth resuming its exploration of Paige’s throat and bare shoulders. Paige’s hands were braced on Val’s shoulders, and she had thrown her head back to give Val better access. She was intensely wet, and her hips began to move of their own accord.
“Mommy?”
Val froze, then in one fluid movement, flipped Paige off to sit beside her on the couch. Paige adjusted her blouse and tried to keep her voice normal.
“What are you doing up, Emma?”
Emma emerged from the hallway, rubbing her eyes, then stopped when she saw Val.
“Miss Val came over to watch a movie with me,” Paige said with what she hoped was composure, and Val quickly grabbed the remote from the coffee table and turned on the TV.
“Hi, Emma,” Val greeted with a wave.
“Hi. Mommy, can I get some water?”
“Sure, honey, but then you need to get right back in bed. It’s a school night.”
“Okay.” Emma trudged sleepily into the kitchen, got herself a glass of water, and headed back to the hallway. “G’night.”
“G’night,” Paige and Val responded in unison. Once they were sure Emma was out of earshot, they collapsed into laughter.
“Holy crap, that was close,” Val said.
“Why do I feel like I just got busted by my parents for inappropriate behavior?” Paige said, still giggling.
“I don’t know. Was that a common occurrence when you were a teenager?” Val teased.
“Totally the opposite. I guess this is what it would have felt like if I hadn’t been such a good girl.”
Val started at Paige’s knee and slowly ran a finger up her thigh. “I kinda prefer your bad girl side.”
Paige stopped her hand. “Quit it. I am totally paranoid now.”
“Ugh. Well, we do both have to work in the morning, so I guess I should go,” Val grumbled.
Paige shrugged apologetically. “Life with kids.”
“No worries.” Val stood, then offered her hand to help Paige up. “For the record, that was the best make-out session I’ve ever had.”
Paige touched a finger to Val’s lips. “Agreed. Let’s do it again soon.”
Val laughed. “You’re on.” She held Paige’s hand as they walked to the door, then lifted it for a kiss. “Until then, beautiful. Sweet dreams.”
“They will be if I’m dreaming of you,” Paige replied. She felt her cheeks flame. Did I really just say that?
Val grinned. “You’re adorable. Bye, Paige.”
“Good night, Val.”
Paige watched through the window as Val flashed her lights and drove away. She felt giddy, and awesome, and still very aroused. Paige touched a finger to her swollen lips. She called me beautiful. An old familiar pang of trepidation erupted in her chest, but she shook it off. Quit worrying. Just enjoy this. She headed to bed and eventually drifted off to sleep, smiling all the while.
Chapter Thirty-two
Val shut her office door and sat down for a much needed mental break. She’d been extra busy at the library getting ready for the hospital fundraiser and writing a grant for additional funding. She hadn’t seen Paige in three days and missed her. The last three weeks had been a whirlwind of coffee dates, stolen kisses, and the occasional dinner, but Val was happy. No matter how crazy their days were, she and Paige ended each one on the phone, sharing a few moments before they drifted off to sleep. That had become the best part of Val’s day, and she thought about how strange and different her life was now. She’d gone years with barely a connection to anyone, but now she craved her moments with Paige. It was incredible, and scary, but they were taking things slowly and getting to know each other. This was what she’d been missing, and it was already beginning to fill the emptiness inside her.
Val pulled her phone out of her pocket and sent off a text to
Paige. How’s your day going?
Her phone dinged a few moments later. Slowly. How about yours?
Same. Weekend can’t come soon enough.
Can’t wait for Saturday, Paige replied. Val couldn’t, either. Saturday was her birthday, and Paige had planned a special evening. No matter how much Val pestered her, Paige wouldn’t give up the details. Val hadn’t been this excited for her birthday since she was a little kid.
Just one more day.
Yep. Gotta go. Meeting. TTYL. Paige had ended her text with a little kissy-face emoji, and Val smiled. Everything with Paige was simple, sweet, and easy—completely different from any other experience she’d had. The few women she’d been with had been all about shallow attractions and quick hookups. Paige was genuine, kind, and above all, a friend. Val was scared to death she would screw it up.
Lately this had been the topic of her sessions with Susan. Val’s tendency was to distrust good things—she was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, because in her experience, it often did. Susan was working with her on reframing her experiences and beliefs about life in positive terms, and it was freaking hard sometimes. She was sure of one thing, though—Paige made her want to keep trying.
Val got up and headed back into the library area. She looked to her left and stopped dead in her tracks. Ian? A little boy who looked just like Ian from behind was pulling a book off the shelf. He turned, and the urge to cry squeezed Val’s throat. Not him.
God, I miss them. Though she’d made it through the roughest patch emotionally since they’d left, she still thought about them all the time. Every night, she sent up a little prayer for their safety and happiness. Several times she’d wanted to ask Paige to find out how they were doing, but she knew it wouldn’t help her let go. She had no idea how other foster parents did it, over and over. This job was hard. And the county could call again at any time.
Val went over to the circulation desk, and a moment later, her phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey, kiddo. How are ya?” Connie’s cheerful voice made Val smile.
Taking Chances Page 18