Page 89 of Special Delivery

Our feet thud against the pavement, and I focus on keeping my breathing slow and steady. If I get winded too soon, it’ll be over before it started.

Emma ruins my plan, turning to me as her ponytail swishes from side to side. “We haven’t seen you this whole week. Is there anything you want to share?”

Exhaling a deep breath, I respond, “I’ve been spending some time with Ryan.” My focus returns to breathing as soon as I finish the sentence.

“Ooh, is it getting serious?”

“No!” It slips out louder than intended, eliciting a curious glance from my sister-in-law. “Not serious, I think.”

“Just having fun then, got it. Either way, I love it.”

My pulse picks up as I turn my head toward her. “Why do you love it so much? You don’t know how it’s going to end.”

“I know it’s better than what you did before.”

“What did I do?”

She stops, placing her hands on her hips. “Nothing, Paige. You did nothing. You were as much of an ornament to your house as your precious plants.”

“Don’t you dare talk shit about my plants.” I point a playful finger at her.

She chuckles. “I’d never. But I’m serious. I think he’s great for you. I also predicted it from the very start.”

“That’s because you see romance in everything.”

“It’s called enjoying life, Paige. You should try it sometime. Oh, wait, you finally are.” She winks and starts running again.

This time, I chuckle and follow her. We run in silence for a few minutes before she speaks again. “You know, if it becomes more…more than just having fun, that’s okay, too.”

For the first time in a long, long time, I feel the truth of her words. I’m terrified to let someone in, but the thought of falling in love with Ryan doesn’t cripple me with fear. It relaxes my shoulders, puffs up my chest, telling my brain it truly is okay.

“I know,” I whisper, more to myself.

Deep breaths long forgotten, the taste quickly turns acidic in my mouth as my heart thuds in my ears. With a huff, I drop my hands to my knees, stopping the run. “Water. I need water.”

“Here you go.” She hands me the bottle, barely sounding winded.

The cool water runs down my throat as I fight the need to hyperventilate and, after a few breaths, I feel like not throwing up anymore. “Whew, I think this is a little long for me.”

“This? We’re not even halfway there.”

“Can we please at least turn toward your house? Unless you want to carry me back.”

“Fine. But we’re running back. Let’s go.”

Not even a hundred feet later, a woman stops in front of us. “Paige, is that you? Oh, my God, it is you.”

In her tall stilettos, dark blue slacks, and perfectly pressed white blouse, Isabelle is a stark contrast to my disheveled look. She kisses both of my cheeks like we’re long-lost friends. I never considered us that close to each other, but I guess some people are simply touchy-feely.

“Emma, this is Isabelle. She sold Jordan and I our houses. Isabelle, this is Emma, my sister-in-law. She now lives in one of them.”

Isabelle grins before taking Emma’s hand with both of hers. “It’s so nice to meet you. How are you enjoying the house?”

“Nice to meet you, too.” Emma smiles back at her. “We love it.”

“Good. Great. But if you ever decide you need more space, let me know.” She extracts a business card out of thin air and hands it to Emma. “How about you, Paige? Need me to take that gorgeous cottage off your hands?”

A chuckle escapes my lips. “No, thank you. I love my little house.”