“It can't hurt to ask, right?”
***
The paternity test was a breeze. The doctor swabbed everyone's cheeks and said they'd receive the results in 3-5 business days.
“That's it? Easy enough,” Lance said.
Back in the car, Lance stuck the key in the ignition, but hesitated to turn it.
When Paige noticed he wasn't starting the car, she finally looked at him with her brow raised. “Something wrong?”
“Yeah, Paige.”
“Well, what is it?”
“I feel like an idiot. I never should've gotten on that plane and I'm sorry I did. I should've stayed with you.”
She turned away, eyes darting out her window. The little “Hm” she muttered all but said she totally agreed.
“If I could get a redo on that moment, believe me, there's not a chance I'd leave you two again. It's all I could think about the past three days. I can't even tell you how heart breaking it was, watching you and Irie storm off while she cried.”
“So why did you leave?”
“All I could think about was how I'd get in trouble with the team.” He put his hand on her thigh. “That was dumb. That wassuperdumb, and I know it. I've been trying to keep them happy, but when it comes down to it, you two are all I really have. Yeah, hockey is important to me, but not nearly as important as you two. I care about you two way, way more.”
Paige frowned. “But you barely know anything abou—”
He cut her off. “Don't say that again. It's not true anyway, okay? For two years I've been thinking about you, wondering where you were, wondering if I'd ever see you again. And I know that there was areasonfor that, Paige, and that reason is our daughter.I also know you're a great Mom. That you've struggled through a bad situation for two years, all alone.” He smiled. “I know you're even more beautiful than I remember.”
Her stony features softened. “Lance …”
He smiled sneakily. “I know you're still great in the sack, too.”
She stifled a laugh. “Of course you'd say that.”
“I wanna show you where I live, Paige. Come back to my condo.”
“You're not going to try to convince me to move in again, are you?” Paige asked with a sneaking grin. “Because I'm serious, Lance. Honestly, I still like you—I just think we need to seriously pump the brakes and take things a lot slower.”
At least she finally seemed to be warming up to him. But his heart did drop when he heard that. How the hell could he go through with his plannow? What he had in mind was the opposite of pumping the brakes.
“I uh, Iwasgoing to try to convince you to move in,actually,” he admitted sheepishly.
“Lance …!” she squealed.
“Can't blame a guy for trying, can you?” He shrugged his shoulders. “Anyway, my sister's there waiting for us. So I hope you'll come.”
Touched, Paige smiled sweetly. “Your sister? Ella, right?”
“Yep. She reallywants to meet you and Irie.”
“Aw. Okay, fine, let's go.”
Chapter 33
Paige
She tried to keep reminding herself:Stay strong, Paige!
