Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

A ugust 26 th

I spent all day yesterday coming up with my new game plan. There are so many more tropes I have gotten lost in when I read. So many that could potentially happen. So, I wrote them all down. All the tropes that really got my heart pounding. Sports romance, bodyguard, best friend’s brother . . . hang on New York. I’m back. And I don’t care if I lose my virginity or not. I’m going to act on my desires and have the time of my life.

I had thought about my person, but it’s not time. I need to find me before I can commit to a man. I don’t want regrets. And when the time is right, and if we’re both available, it will be forever. Until then, let the party begin.

“Jesus, are you trying to kill the men on the third floor?” Jack asked when Paige strutted into his office Monday morning .

Everything about her was professional, from the knee-length pencil skirt to the silk blouse. However, how Paige carried herself was different from the past several weeks. She was back. She was a sexual being who wasn’t embarrassed about her sexual history anymore, and apparently it showed.

“They’re editing two books about sex. I think they can handle a woman being on their floor and working with them.” Paige placed a hand on her hip and Jack groaned.

“Now you’re trying to kill me. I promised I wouldn’t pursue you, but this new attitude is like waving a freaking red flag in front of a bull.”

“You don’t want to be grounded by Mommy, so it isn’t going to happen. Now, let’s go. We’re late.” Paige spun around and gave her hip a little more sway than normal to assert her sexuality. Paige Turner, virgin sex goddess. That was her and she loved it.

Jack growled at her but prowled behind her, following her to the elevator. “You lost your virginity, didn’t you?”

“Nope,” Paige said as she pushed the elevator button for the 3 rd floor. “I’m just owning it. If I lose it, I lose it. In the meantime, I’m going to have a heck of a good time.”

Jack flexed his hand and shook it out. “It’s a damn good thing you became a friend or I’d have you against the wall in a split second.”

“There’s always the friends to lovers trope or the office romance trope. But I’m too valuable to your company to lose me over a quick screw.”

“There’d be nothing quick about it and I’m trying to decide if it would be worth it.”

Paige laughed, feeling the power she had by proudly embracing herself. “Come on, Jack. Let’s deal with the whiney boys on the third floor. I’m looking forward to seeing Ambrose again and meeting his partner, Dr. Hillendale. ”

“Before I forget,” Jack said as the elevator doors opened. “I need you to go to the Reading with a Cop back-to-school event this afternoon. I have a board meeting that I believe will run a little late. I’ll make it for the end to hand them our cash donation, but I need you to take our book donation.”

Paige wondered if Max would be there. It wouldn’t matter either way. She had a goal and that was to land a cop—one that wasn’t taken, that was. Oh, or maybe a sexy single dad?

“Have Amanda send Kendrick the details and we’ll make it happen.” Paige smiled when she saw Ambrose stand as they entered the large conference room. “Ambrose, so good to see you again. Let’s get to work.”

Paige and Kendrick unloaded boxes of children’s books onto dollies outside the local elementary school.

“This is so cool,” Kendrick said as the librarian looked on gleefully.

“With this donation and the cash donation for later, plus the donation from the police department,” the librarian told Kendrick, “we will be able to have books in every classroom.”

Kendrick moved to push the dolly and they followed the librarian into the school and to the gymnasium where the entire school was gathered.

It was some instant connection that must be the universe’s big joke. The first person Paige saw wasn’t the thousand children . . . it was Max Caldwell, standing in jeans and a police polo, who she zeroed in on.

“Here, can I help?”

Paige turned to see a young officer in uniform walk over to them .

“Thank you. That would be great. Can you put them over there by the Griffin Publishing sign the kids made?”

“I’m Officer Kyle Jackson,” he said with a smile. He was tall, slim but fit, and had a dimple when he smiled. His hair was blond, his eyes blue, and he was cute in that high school all-American way. He was probably a couple of years younger than she was, but who cared? She liked his happy vibe. “I’m Paige Turner. It’s nice to meet you.”

Max approached them before Kyle could leave. The young officer looked at Max with adoration. Aw, he was just like a Golden Retriever and it was adorable. “Detective Caldwell,” he said, holding out his hand. “Gosh, I’m so excited to finally meet you. I’m Kyle Jackson. I’m aiming to take my detective’s exam in a few years and would love to work in your department.”

Instead of brushing Kyle off or dismissing him as over-eager, Max shook his hand and smiled at him just as he did sometimes to Lexi. “It’s nice to meet you, Officer Jackson. I look forward to it. You know where my office is. Stop by if you ever want to chat or want to ask questions about the job.”

Kyle just about panted with pleasure. Yup, total Golden Retriever. “Thanks, detective! I better get these books set up. This nice lady donated them all.”

“Yes, Paige is a very nice lady to bring them all down here.” Kyle’s face fell slightly as he realized Max already knew Paige. “How are you doing, Jailbird?”

Paige laughed but sent a wink to Kyle. “I’m not a jailbird. Just an almost jailbird.” Kyle chuckled and looked between them as if trying to figure out their relationship. “Thank you for helping me, Kyle. I’ll be sure to see you after the little ceremony.”

Kyle perked back up as if his favorite tennis ball had just appeared and then darted off to help Kendrick with the books.

“Giving up on men and going with boys now? If he weren’t an officer, I’d make sure to check his driver’s license to make sure he’s eighteen.”

“I have a feeling he’ll be very eager to please a woman,” Paige said with a laugh.

“About that,” Max said, causing Paige to raise her eyebrow. “I really am sorry if I ever made you question yourself. It was never my intention.”

“I know, Max,” Paige said, giving his arm a squeeze. “I’m okay now. I promise.”

“Good, because there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

Paige looked at him, waiting for him to continue, but the principal and the police chief stepped forward as the presentation began. Max and Paige were forced to stop talking and move into their positions behind the police chief.

The principal started and then turned it over to the police chief. The books from the police department were presented. And right as they turned their attention to Griffin Publishing, Jack strode forward, handed them a check for fifty thousand dollars, and the place erupted with cheers. Officers then moved out amongst the kids as they distributed the books.

“What were you going to tell me?” Paige asked Max.

“I think that you—”

“Paige, a word.” Jack stepped up between them and gave Max a nod. “Max. I’ll bring her right back.”

Max nodded in return and stepped back as Jack put his hand on Paige’s shoulder and moved her a couple of steps away.

“What’s going on? Did some of the books not make it?” Paige asked.

“No, it’s Lenora Hamilton. She wants a meeting with us.” Jack looked at her and smirked. He wasn’t telling her something.

“Okay, Kendrick can call her and schedule it.”

“It’s already been scheduled. Saturday at The Red Door. Eleven at night.” Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out the business card. “Your one time guest pass. Feel free to come early and explore, little one.”

“Not with you,” Paige teased as she took the bright red card.

Jack chuckled and walked off. Paige walked the short distance back to where Max was waiting and put the card into her purse so she wouldn’t lose it. “Sorry about that. I’m glad I ran into you. I wanted to thank you for being such a good friend to me. You could have been an asshole after how we met, but you’ve never judged me, and I want you to know how much that means to me. Especially now.”

“Now? Did something happen?” Max asked as Kyle began to hover around them.

“I had a great talk with someone older and wiser. I needed a reset and I’ve gotten it. I’m hoping it becomes official next Monday and Mimi makes the bestseller list. I’m meeting my other client on Friday. And I’m ready to have some adventures. I’ve been thinking about my past adventures and how I was putting too much pressure on myself. I’m not finding a husband here. I’m having fun. I’m ready to do that again—minus any fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, or allergic reactions. You’ve saved my life in the most embarrassing times of my life and I just wanted to make sure you know how much I appreciate it and how much I value our friendship.”

Paige leaned forward and placed a kiss on Max’s cheek. “Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Just seeing what book you’re reading this week so I know what kind of rescue I need to be prepared for.” Max smiled and Paige tossed her head back and laughed.

“I better go talk to Kyle. Poor thing looks ready to piddle in excitement. I’ll see you soon, Max.”

Paige walked away to the eager and excitable Kyle. It was time for an adventure, and on Saturday, she was going to make up for the disaster of her last experience at The Red Door.