Ride With Me (Paige and Jace) novel Chapter 33

CHAPTER 21-1

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CHAPTER 21-1

three o’clock that afternoon I’d already reorganized the same drawer twice. I wasn’t looking for anything but I was avoiding everything.

The navy dress still hung from the wardrobe door where I’d left it the night before and every time I walked past it I considered finding an excuse not to wear it. Or not to go.

The invitation sat beside the coffee maker with Uncle Will’s folded note tested on top of it.

One reminded me where I’d come from and the other reminded me where I belonged.

I made myself another cup of coffee and took a slip before abandoning it on the kitchen counter

My stomach had no interest in caffeine and I barely had any interest in food.

“You’re stalling.” I muttered.

The apartment was quiet except for the distant sounds drifting up from Lawson Customs below.

Ben had gone home hours earlier and the workshop had closed early so I could made the dinner.

Part of me wished I’d booked another dozen repair jobs instead.

Engines were predictable and families weren’t.

I finally picked up a towel and walked into the bathroom.

The hot water from the shower beat against my shoulders while I stood beneath it longer than usual, hoping it would was away the tight knot sitting in my chest. But it didn’t. Some things couldn’t be scrubbed away.

I turned off the water, dried my hair carefully, brushed my teeth and stood in front of the mirror studying my reflection.

For the first time in months, I reached for makeup instead of a shop rag. Nothing dramatic.

Just enough to make me look presentable.

When i stepped into the bedroom, the navy dress waited exactly where I’d left it.

I hadn’t worn it since moving out of the Lawson mansion and back then it had been another outfit chosen for another charity dinner where everyone smiled for photos before going back to

pretending we were the perfect family.

I slipped into the dress anyway and it still fit perfectly which surprised me.

My old heels waited beneath the chair and I dusted them off before putting them on and then I

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CHAPTER 21 1

looked at myself in the full-length mirror.

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The woman looking back at me reminded me of the daughter Charles and Victoria Lawson had always wanted.

Elegant, polished and well dressed. Only now there was à grease permanently worked into the lines of my hands and there wasn’t a single part of me that wanted to trade Lawson Customs for

marble floors ever again.

I picked up my puse and tucked Uncle Will’s folded note into one of the inside pockets.

“You’re coming with me.” I said.

The drive across town took just over twenty minutes and the farther I drove from Lawson Cstumers, the more familiar everything became.

The expensive neighborhoods, perfectly trimmed hedges and luxury cars parked in spotless

driveways.

Every house looked as though nobody had actually lived in it.

When the wrought iron gates of the Lawon estate came into view, my hands tightened around the steering wheel and the gates slowly opened.

Apparently my name was still on the guest list and the circular driveway looked exactly as I remembered it.

The fountain sparkled beneath the afternoon sun and the flower beds had been freshly replanted.’

Even the windows looked as though someone polished them every morning.

Nothing had changed. Except for me.

I parked near the front entrance and sat quietly for a few moments before climbing out.

The heavy front door opened before I reached it and Edgar, the family’s longtime butler, blinked in

surprise.

“Miss Paige.” He said and I smiled warmly.

“Hello Edgar.” I said and his formal expression softened almost immediately.

“It’s wonderful to see you again.” He said.

“It’s good to see you too.” I said.

He stepped aside to let me inside and several members of the household staff paused in the hallway as I walked through.

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