“We can still go out after,” Simon said. “Jenny really wants to.”
“And what Jenny wants, Jenny gets?” He smiled at Simon’s smitten expression.
“Something like that. Do you think Paige would be okay with my sister babysitting?”
“Sure. They talked about it at the wedding.”
JT’s own phone buzzed. Stephen. But when he answered, it wasn’t Stephen.
“Hey, JT.”
“Hey, Hannah, what’s up?”
Before he could answer he heard his brother yelling in the background. “She stole my phone, bro. I have nothing to do with this.”
“Nothing to do with what?”
“Okay, this may sound crazy, and tell me if it is, but my assistant just found out she got into a graduate program and she’s leaving in two days.”
“And?”
“And…I thought of Paige to fill in. She’s so great with the kids and we’ve talked a couple of times since. I know how much she loved it.”
Yeah. So did he, and a small knot began to form in his stomach.
“But I didn’t know what you would think about it. I mean she’s there and you’re there and…”
And California was a long-ass way from Virginia. “How long were you thinking?”
“Well, I know Casey is starting school soon so maybe she could just help me out for a week or so. It would give her a better idea of if this was something she really wanted to pursue, and it’d be great for Casey.”
“Yes. It would be great for both of them.”
“But really, I wasn’t even going to mention it at all unless you thought it was a good idea. I know you two are…close. It’s just…she’s the first person I thought of. She’d be working closely with me and I really like her. I know things are hard for her, so I thought this might give her a chance at something she really wanted. If she wanted it.”
“So you’re thinking it could be long-term?”
Hannah paused and the knot in his stomach tightened. “Assuming it went well, that would be up to Paige. But look, we can just forget it. Just chalk this up to crazy-pregnant-woman talk. I’ll look around for someone else.”
“No. Don’t do that.”
“Really?”
“Yes.” This could be everything Paige wanted and needed. It hurt him to say it, but…“Call her. I definitely think she’d be interested.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
Hannah now sounded very unsure, so he said it again. “I’m sure. Call her.”
Before she could ask him again if he was sure, his brother got on the phone.
“Hey, man.”
“Hey. What’s up?” The question was habit as his mind reeled around the possibilities.
“Not too much. Look, I…hang on.” The background noise of Hannah and Mitchell was cut off before his brother continued. “Hannah and Paige hit it off in some girl-love thing, and Hannah’s in a bad position right now with the baby and her assistant leaving. I don’t want to screw things up for you, but you know my wife comes first, and I’d much prefer her sitting on the front porch sipping lemonade and not worrying about anything more than what kind of cookie she wants me to make her. She comes first, above all else.”
Above all else. Like Paige and Casey came before all else to him. “You make cookies?” JT asked, trying for humor that he didn’t feel.
“I have many skills.” Stephen sighed. “Look, man, I don’t know exactly where you are with Paige, but maybe just talk to her about it. I think Hannah’s planning on calling her later today or tomorrow, but she’s worried as all hell about you and Paige and…shit. I do not want to get in the middle of…whatever there is to get into the middle of.”
“It’s all good, man. Don’t worry. And tell Hannah not to worry,” he added. “This would be a great opportunity for her.” If he still had any doubts about himself and being the man Paige deserved, maybe this was the test. What he wanted or what Paige wanted? What was best for Paige and Casey? That’s what it came down to.
They talked another minute about their work before they hung up. When he looked up, he found Simon staring at him.
“What was that all about?”
He filled Simon in on Hannah’s offer and had barely finished before his friend was shaking his head.
“You’re not as smart as I thought you were if you let her get away. If you want her to stay, you should tell her.”
JT stared across the room at nothing. He loved her. He’d never keep her from something that could make her happy. “It’s complicated.”