Fighting Fate (Granton University #1)(49)

He agreed, and having heard them, Logan lifted an unraveled strand to help them wrap the tree.

They’d just finished when Jamie called Logan away, needing someone tall to climb a ladder and hang ornaments from the ceiling tiles.

Paige managed to deflect Kevin’s attempts at flirting for the rest of the meeting. After her dud date with Reggie, going out with another guy didn’t seem so exciting anymore. She’d decided she wanted to really feel it before she accepted another date from anyone. And though she liked Kevin enough, the zing of chemistry didn’t ricochet through her system like a hyper bouncy ball whenever she saw him. Not the way it did with—

Realizing who she was thinking about, her gaze zapped to the tall figure standing on a ladder stretching his arms over his head to hang a tiny angel.

Oh, this wasn’t good.

Releasing her hate was one thing. But actually liking him—as in, liking liking him—was something totally different. Something disastrous. Like spitting on Trace’s grave.

She needed to nip this in the bud right now.

Determined to avoid him, she strayed to the other side of the room from him for the rest of the decorating party. And she was successful, keeping her distance…until Samantha called it a night.

“Oh, I’ve gone through the sign-ups for the cancer center visits and paired everyone into groups of two or three. Make sure to check your dates before you leave tonight.”

Paige fell into line behind the handful of others who’d signed up. When she reached the schedule, she ran her finger along the sheet until she found her name. Her first visitation would take place right after the New Year with Jamie and…Logan.

She dropped her hand from the sheet and jolted backward, unable to believe her eyes.

Great. How was she supposed to elude him if they were scheduled to attend a hospital together?

“I can ask Sam to change the group assignment,” a low voice murmured beside her so only she could hear him.

Paige jumped and swung around to gape up at Logan. His eyes looked remote as he studied her. She could tell from his expression he knew exactly what she was thinking.

Drawing in a deep breath, she shook her head. “No, don’t…don’t worry about it. It’ll be fine.”

His lips parted and his eyes narrowed as if he didn’t believe her.

Flushing, she realized she must appear as horrified as she felt about seeing their names side by side.

“Are you sure?” he pressed.

Gah, what was wrong with her? All they’d be doing was entertaining a bunch of sick children for an hour. It wasn’t the end of the world.

Stiffening her shoulders, she nodded. “Yes. I’m positive. It’s fine.”

He studied her a second longer before he gave a single nod. “Okay, then. I guess I’ll see you at the children’s ward in four weeks.”

“This doesn’t mean…” She rushed out, only to realize what she’d almost said. She wanted to tell him she still hadn’t forgiven him, but the words wouldn’t come, probably because they weren’t true.

His azure eyes filled with bleak acceptance. “Trust me; I know.” Turning away, he marched off, his stride stiff and angry.

Paige stared after him, feeling awful. That fine line where she no longer hated him but knew better than to actually like him seemed impossible to find. No matter how hard she tried, it always came out as stark black or white with him.





Chapter Nineteen


“HAVE YOU BEEN HOME YET?”

Paige’s fingers paused over the metal jewelry tree of rings she was examining on Kayla’s dressing table. Lifting her face, she met Kayla’s gaze in the mirror as her best friend came up behind her.

“Not yet.” Promptly dropping her gaze again, she picked out a silver ring with a turquoise stone embedded in a coiled design. “I came here to see you as soon I made it into town.”

“And I’m glad you did. I’ve missed you so much these past few months.” Kayla set her hands on Paige’s shoulders and gave an encouraging squeeze. “But seriously, do you want me to go with you? I know things between you and Paul aren’t…close. Maybe a third party will help things feel…” she shrugged “…not so awkward.”

Paige slipped off the turquoise ring and sighed deeply. “Thanks for the offer, but it’s fine. I can handle it.”

Besides, she hadn’t been home since Thanksgiving. She didn’t want to think of how messy the place was by now. And she didn’t want Kayla to see what had become of it…or of her father, though she suspected Kayla already knew how far Paul Zukowski had declined.

“I don’t mind,” Kayla said. She smiled brightly as she took off Paige’s ruby cross amulet to sling another bedazzled necklace around her throat. “I bought Paul a gift for Christmas anyway.”

Without saying a word, Paige shook her head, once again declining Kayla’s efforts. “I’ll gladly deliver Dad’s present for you, though.” She tried to soften her refusal.

Winding Paige’s hair into one large coil, Kayla curled the dark mane into a makeshift bun on top of her head. “Is it that bad between you two?” she asked quietly.

Paige sighed again, not even wanting to think about her and her dad. “No, it’s not so bad. I mean, we don’t talk at all when I’m gone and barely at all when I’m back. But other than that, things are…manageable. Civil.”