One Real Man (Entangled Bliss)(37)

Gritting her teeth, she zipped up the suitcases and heaved them onto the floor. “I’m ready,” she said. “Let’s go.”



Burronga on a mild autumn Sunday was a mecca for day-trippers. A tourist bus had broken down outside the Red Possum, and traffic was jammed for several blocks. Paige rested her aching head against the back window of her father’s Mercedes. Her father was on his mobile phone while he steered the car. Her mother was talking about something, but Paige didn’t have the heart to pay her any attention. All she could think about was that she’d left Owen and in all likelihood would never see him again.

“When we get to Sydney,” Crystal jabbered, “I’ll ring up a few contacts and line up some job interviews for you.”

Finally some of her mother’s monologue penetrated Paige’s funk. She lifted her head from the window. “Job interviews?”

“Mm-hmm.” Crystal twisted around in her seat to look at Paige. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you sorted out in no time. You’ll stay with us in our hotel suite. There’s plenty of room.” Her gaze roved over Paige, assessing, nitpicking, judging. “First thing to do is get you to my hair stylist. You’ve let yourself go, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

Paige inhaled a deep breath. “Actually, I like my hair the way it is, and there’s no need for you or Dad to ‘sort’ me out. I’m doing that myself.”

“I beg to differ. Seems to me you’ve been digging yourself into a deeper hole these past few weeks.”

Her father sighed, but the phone was still glued to his ear, so Paige figured he was getting impatient about the traffic jam.

“Mother, I don’t want you pulling strings just to get me a job. I’ll find my own job, on my own merits.”

“What’s gotten into you?” Crystal shook her head in bewilderment. “I’m just trying to help you. You said yourself you’d been desperate to contact me earlier. Well, here I am, ready to do whatever it takes to get you back on your feet.”

“I—I appreciate that, really I do, but” Hesitating, she glanced out the window. They had come to a stop outside Java and Joolz, Ally and Tyler’s art gallery and coffee shop. Inside, the store was bustling, and Ally was wiping down a counter. Paige turned back to her mother. “I’m already back on my feet. I’m over Seth and that stupid video. It’s embarrassing, but it’s not going to stop me from pursuing my career. I want to be more than just a pretty face with good connections. I want a job where I can make a real contribution, and I’ll get it on my own.”

“You’re tired and overwrought, and you don’t know what you’re saying. Wait until we get to Sydney, and we’ll discuss everything.”

If she allowed her mother to drag her back to Sydney, then she would fall into the old routines again. It would be so easy, and before she knew it she’d be back on the same treadmill, scurrying faster than ever and going nowhere. No, she was tired of all that. She had to make a clean break. Now.

“Mum, Dad, I’m sorry, but I’m not going back to Sydney with you.” She opened the car door and jumped out. Before she had time for second thoughts, she hurried to the back of the car and hauled out her two suitcases.

“What are you doing? Get back here.” Crystal was white to her hairline. She flapped her hands, looking flabbergasted. “You’re having a nervous breakdown. You need help.” She turned to her husband, who was staring openmouthed, the phone dangling from his fingers. “Edward, say something!”

Paige waited for her father to say something—anything—to her, but he just continued to look perplexed. She’d never earned his attention, she thought, more sad than bitter. She leaned in her mother’s open window. “I’m perfectly sane, Mum. I’m just getting on with my life.”

“Butbut” For once her mother was at a loss for words.

Up ahead, the broken-down bus had finally been moved aside, and traffic began to flow. A car behind them sounded its horn, the driver making irate gestures.

Paige stepped back onto the curb. “Good-bye. I’ll call you soon.”

Clearly shaken, Crystal stared at her in silence. More angry honks broke out. Edward put the car into gear and pulled off. Paige watched as the car crawled away. She could still call and ask them to turn back. But she knew she wouldn’t.

She turned away from the traffic. What now? What was she going to do? Out of the corner of her eye, she caught someone waving at her. It was Ally inside the store, flapping a cloth and smiling at her. Paige tentatively smiled back. Ally beckoned at her to come inside. Well, it wasn’t as if she had to be anywhere soon. Clutching her suitcases, Paige entered the gallery.



Paige could never have imagined the day she’d just experienced. It had started off amazingly with Owen in her bed, but had plunged into dark territory when she’d realized her feelings for him. Her parents’ reappearance had only intensified her anguish, and when she’d found herself stranded in Burronga with two heavy suitcases and nowhere to go, the day could have ended in misery. Instead, she was curled up on Ally’s comfortable couch with Ally in the opposite armchair, and pizza and wine on the coffee table between them.

As she reflected on the strange turn of events, Ally leaned forward to top up their wineglasses.

“Thanks,” Paige said gratefully, wriggling her bare feet. “I need this. It’s been a long day.”

“Oh, you should have said something back at the store. You didn’t need to help me all day.” Ally looked genuinely concerned.

“But I wanted to. I was glad to help.” Ally had only beckoned her into the shop for a friendly hello, but Paige had quickly seen how busy she was. Nate was away on business, while Tyler was nursing a sick child, so Ally was on her own managing a very busy store. When Paige had offered her assistance, Ally gratefully accepted.

“You were pretty good.” Ally grinned. “You talked that couple into buying those ceramics I thought would never sell.”

“At last I’ve put my marketing skills to good use.” Paige smiled back, marveling at how comfortable she felt in Ally’s presence. In the past, she’d never thought they had anything in common, but now it seemed they were slipping into an easy friendship, and she knew it was because she had changed. During the afternoon, Paige had eventually confessed that she was no longer working for Owen and was temporarily homeless, and Ally had immediately offered her a bed for the night.

Paige raised her wineglass in salute. “Thanks, Ally. Thanks for putting me up tonight.”

“No problem.”

“And thanks for not holding a grudge.”

Ally’s eyes widened. “You’re not still going on about Seth, are you?”

“No, of course not. He’s ancient history.” Paige hesitated. “I mean about Owen. He and I parted on rather bad terms, and I know you and Nate are good friends with him.”

“Ah, Owen. I was wondering when we’d get to him.” Ally chose another slice of pizza and settled back in her armchair. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on with you two?”

Maybe it was the wine, or the emotional wringer she’d been put through, or Ally’s nonjudgmental attitude. Whatever it was, Paige found herself pouring out her story to her sympathetic audience. She didn’t reveal everything, of course. Nothing about what had happened between her and Owen when they were teenagers. But she did tell Ally about Gordon Asquith and the importance of getting the mogul’s investment. She flushed as she related his sleazy moves on her and how Owen had dealt with him.

“Far out!” By now Ally was sitting on the edge of her seat as she lapped up Paige’s story. “Owen actually slapped the guy?” She let out a low whistle. “You know what that means. He’s in love with you.”

Paige, who had taken a sip of wine, spluttered. “I hardly think so.”

“Come on. He wouldn’t react so violently if he didn’t have feelings for you.”

Still flustered, Paige picked up a napkin and dabbed at her shirt. “I admit there’s always beensomething between us, but it’s—it’s just lust.”

“Hey, don’t label it ‘just lust.’ Lust is a very powerful emotion.”

“Yeah, last night proved that.” She spoke without thinking, but seeing comprehension dawn on Ally’s face, she pushed on. “We spent the night together, yes, but in the morning we came back to our senses.” Liar, a voice inside her muttered. Far from returning to her senses, she’d dived headfirst into the madness of loving someone. Unsettled, she hurried on to tell Ally about her parents’ dramatic reappearance, her mother’s demands, and Owen’s refusal. Finally she halted, and silence descended on the living room.

“Maybe Owen will move out anyway,” Ally said, looking pensive. She set her wineglass down and rested her elbows on her knees to cup her chin. “If he’s lost this investor guy, then he probably won’t get his project through, will he? And if that fails, then there’s not much reason for him to hang around Burronga. Your mother might get back her house after all.”