Kim’s POV
“You’re lucky the new boss wasn’t here yesterday—she would’ve reported you to Mr. Logan for skipping work.” Ryder’s voice cut through the locker room as I shoved my bag into place.
“Elaine was here, though. She noticed you weren’t around. I think she told him.”
“Ry, how many times do I have to say it? I’m not scared of Logan,” I muttered.
“What does he even have on you? He lets you get away with everything.” She raised a brow.
“Nothing, actually. I just know how to stand my ground,” I said, grinning.
She shrugged, and we made our way to the kitchen. “By the way, what did you mean when you said Paige wasn’t around yesterday?”
“She didn’t show up.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“Kimberly, I don’t know,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Are you working today or just slacking again like usual?”
“Not always! Come on,” I laughed, and we started the day.
The truth was, I had taken yesterday off to think about what Logan said. If I behaved, he might finally let me stop working here. Maybe he was actually considering it now. Maybe… just maybe… this was my chance to be free again.
…
Later, I knocked on Paige’s office door before entering—one of the few good habits I picked up from living with Logan.
“Hi,” I said.
She looked up, and this time she didn’t seem upset. Just… calm. “Hi, Kim.”
I took that as a sign to sit, and she didn’t object. She looked pale, but not too bad.
“I, um… okay, where were you yesterday?”
She gave me a hard stare. “So what? I answer to you now?”
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I’m just… a concerned friend.”
“Friend?” She blinked. “Did you just say friend?”
Get it together, Kim. Say something right for once.
“Okay, Paige, I’m trying here. So can you stop being so difficult for once and help me out?” I held my breath, praying she wouldn’t lash out again. She stayed quiet. The silence was suffocating.
“I’ll leave,” I said, getting up.
“Why?”
I froze. “Why what?”
“Why are you being nice? Why are you asking about where I was? Did Logan send you to check if I was lying?”
“What? No! I can’t even stand that guy, much less take orders from him.”
“But you still work for him.”
I sighed. “Like I told you before… you wouldn’t understand.”
I looked away. How could I even begin to explain? That I was trapped by one bad decision? That I’d been paying for it ever since?
“You’re the most complicated person I’ve ever met,” she said. “I honestly wonder what made me fall in love with you back then.”
“Paige, stop. I’m not complicated. I just… I know you’d judge me.”
“Judge you?” She chuckled. And that laugh—it triggered something inside me. What was so funny about my pain?
“You know what? Coming here was a mistake.” I stood up. I waited for her to stop me. She didn’t.
I missed when I mattered to her. Or to anyone.
Paige’s POV
The door slammed shut behind Kim. Or rather—she stormed out.
Since starting here, I’d begun seeing a side of her I didn’t know existed. And I had a feeling it all traced back to Logan. Why did she hate him so much? Were they exes? Kim was bisexual—it wasn’t impossible. Maybe something had happened between them.
I shook my head and tried to push the thought aside. I had a lunch date with Amy, and I wasn’t going to let Kimberly distract me more than she already had.
I grabbed my bag and headed to the restaurant Amy picked. She hadn’t arrived yet, so I waited outside.
“Excuse me,” a voice said.
I looked up to see a light-skinned Black woman with dimples standing in front of me.
“Can I help you?”
She smiled and sat down across from me.
“Uh, no—you can’t sit here. I’m waiting for someone.”
“She’s not here yet though, is she?”
I frowned. “How do you know I’m waiting for a ‘she’?”
She giggled. “You’re Paige Carson—the new hottest lesbian in New York.”
Right. That title was following me around now.
“I’m Cici, by the way.”
“Well, I’m sorry someone misinformed you, Miss Cici. But I am not New York’s hottest lesbian.”
She pulled out a piece of paper and slid it across the table.
“No pressure. Just… if you ever feel like playing, call me.” She winked.
I glanced at the number. “Thanks, but I’m not interested. I have a girlfriend.”
She stood. “I won’t tell her. Don’t worry.” Another wink—and she walked away.
“Hey!” I called after her. She kept walking.
Annoyed, I flagged down a waitress. “Can you do me a favour and throw this away?”
“Of course,” she said, taking the paper.
“What is wrong with people?” I muttered to myself.
A few minutes later, Amy arrived.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said.
“It’s fine. How’s the little one doing?” I smiled, glancing at her small bump.
“We’re okay. How about you? Are you feeling normal?”
“Amy, I’m fine. You worry too much.” I laughed.
“I’m your only sister. It’s my job to worry,” she said. “But if you say you’re okay, I believe you.”
“Good. Shall we order?”
“Yeah, sure.” I signaled the waitress and we placed our orders.
“By the way,” Amy said once the waitress walked off, “did the doctor explain why you fainted? I thought blood donation wasn’t supposed to be dangerous.”
“It’s not. It’s just that Kiara’s daughter needed more than a standard donation. I insisted they take more than they should’ve.”
“What do you mean?”
“They said I could only safely give 470 millilitres—one standard unit. But Allison needed a lot more. I begged them to take extra.”
“Paige, are you insane?” she gasped. “So you pushed past your limit?”
I nodded slowly. “It was worth it. And hey—look at the bright side: we’re both alive.”
She rolled her eyes. “You gave us a fright. Especially Mom.”
I smiled softly. “I’m sorry.”
She reached for my hand across the table and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Don’t do anything that reckless again.”
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YOU ARE READING
The Billionaire's Widow
RomanceHailey Anders After the death of her husband, the only thing that can keep Hailey going are her two little kids. They remind her that he still lives in them. Together with the company he left for her. Paige Carson Fresh out of college with impressi...
