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31. Swings

"I am stuffed," I moaned out as I stretched my arms over my head. That baked ziti was definitely enough to satisfy a hungry man like me.

"Me too," Paige sighed from across the table. Her dainty hands were on her stomach and she was leaned back in the wooden chair she was seated in.

"How was it?" Mark's voice echoed from behind me and he came around to lift our empty plates off of the table. He tried to make as little eye contact with us as possible and it was obvious.

"Our compliments to the chef, he sure knows how to make a meal," Paige forced a smile at Mark and he looked down at me cautiously. Without speaking, he pulled a black book out of his apron, set it down in the middle of the table, and turned to walk away.

I reached for the check before Paige even noticed that it was set on the table, unsure whether or not she would fight me over it. Tugging my wallet out of my pocket, I pulled my card out and stared at the photo of Paige I had tucked beneath it.

"Would you like me to give you two some privacy?" Paige's breath blew against my ear and I jumped in my seat. The smirk along her lips made me chuckle and I closed my wallet.

"Yeah, if you wouldn't mind. You're kind of intruding on our date," I looked up at her and trailed my hands down her arms.

When waiter after waiter passed by, I became impatient and was ready to leave. Paige had taken a seat on my legs and was resting her head on mine. The way she crossed her ankles and swung them beneath her reminded me of how we used to see who could jump the highest off of the swings.

"Mark is your waiter, right?" A young looking girl stopped at our table and gave us a confused look. I felt Paige's head nod up and down on my head before I could answer.

"Yeah, we've been sitting here for like half an hour," I replied and the girl grabbed the book from the table before walking away.

"We should've done the dine and dash," Paige murmured into my ear and I looked up at her grinning face.

"You don't peg me as a criminal," I grabbed her hands and held them in her lap.

"Why not? I think I'd look good in all black," she pulled her hands from mine and placed her fists on her hips.

"You'd feel guilty and turn right back around," I pulled her waist so she would scoot closer to me and I felt her laugh under my hands.

"You're probably right," I heard her sigh and lean her head back down on top of mine. After a minute, her hands lifted from mine and I felt them in my hair as Paige ran her fingers through the mop on top of my head.

"Mr. Collins?" A balding middle-aged man leaned over my table and waved his hand to grab my attention.

"That's me," I raised my eyebrows at him and noticed my card in his hand.

"Due to your inconvenience, your dinner is on us," He outstretched his hand and I pulled my silver card from between his fingers. Larry, his name tag read.

I adjusted myself under Paige and pulled my wallet out again, slipping the plastic into the front slot.

"Thanks, Larry," I nodded my head at him and felt Paige move to stand up. I looked up at her and saw that she was looking around the room behind our table.

"Paige?" Larry spoke again in Paige's direction, I saw her grimace slightly and then turn around, forcing a smile on her face.

"Hi," Paige stuck her hand out to shake his and I stood nervously, noting their awkward exchange. Paige quickly pulled her hand out of his and stepped closer to me.