Paige Torn (31 page)

Not so bad at all.

Mr. and Mrs. Prestwick come onto the dance floor and he kisses his wife again, gently twirling her on the crowded dance floor.

Then I see Luke. He is sitting at his family's table, the one closest to the dance floor and the gazebo, watching his parents and then looking over at me. He smiles at me, but it isn't his usual cheerful, huge smile. This one is sad.

We need to talk
, he mouths to me.

I shake my head slightly and look back up at Tyler. Tyler is sweet. Tyler seems to genuinely care about me. He doesn't mince words. If it weren't for him and Peggy and Candace, I'd still be running around like a crazy person, too stressed to see straight.

Tyler looks down right then, sees me studying him, and grins. “What?” He pulls me in a little closer.

“Nothing.”

He leans down then and kisses my cheek.

My whole face warms.

I dip my head quickly so he can't see the way I am blushing. I squeeze my eyes shut briefly.

Lord, thank You for Tyler
.

I sway with him to the music and think for a little bit. Aside from feeling like a fish in a fishbowl, thanks to Luke, I am happy. Relaxed even. I still have the banquet for the agency to do, but I'm not worried or stressing about it at all.

It is hard to be stressed when the stars are shining in the dark sky and the park is lit up with twinkle lights and candles. God has given us the perfect weather for tonight. It is a little chilly but nowhere near cold.

Tonight has gone perfectly. Next weekend will as well.

“So,” Tyler says quietly, tightening his hold on me briefly. “What do you say to maybe coming out to dinner with me on Friday?”

I look up at him, grinning. “I don't know. Is this a date?”

He smiles at me, blue eyes warm. “Most definitely a date.”

“Then I say yes.”

He kisses my cheek again, and again I blush, my knees shaking. We turn right then and Luke is still watching us.

It is a little unnerving.

The song ends and we all clap again. “I need a drink,” I tell Tyler, even though I mostly just want to get away from Luke's prying stare.

I walk back over to the table and take a long sip from my glass of cranberry punch. Tyler is close behind me, also reaching for his glass.

I smile at him, feeling confused. I don't really feel like picking apart my emotions tonight, though. Tonight is about Layla and her parents. Not about Tyler, not about Luke. Tonight is about enjoying the calm, peaceful night.

There will be plenty of time this week for dissection of feelings.

I lean down and grab my purse from under the table for my lip balm. I check my phone too. There are two texts I haven't read. The first one is from my mom.

H
OPE YOU ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME AT THE PARTY
!
W
ISH WE COULD HAVE COME.
P
LEASE CALL ME TOMORROW MORNING WHEN YOU GET UP.

Weird. I chew on my bottom lip, wondering what I need to call her about. Probably just a rundown of the party. Mom likes to know details like that.

Tyler smiles at me and nudges my shoulder, holding his hand out. “Need more punch?”

I nod. “Sure, thank you.” I give him my glass and he walks over toward the table. I check the last text quickly.

And stop.

H
I,
P
AIGE.
I
'M IN TOWN AND
I
NEED TO SEE YOU.

It's from Preslee.

“Paige, we really need to talk,” Luke says, suddenly standing right beside me.

So much for peace and calm.

I look down at the text, back up at Luke, and then over at Tyler and Layla, who are talking by the food table.

A thought strikes me right then. What if this whole learning how to control my schedule isn't as much about my crazy life as it is about learning to give control over to God?

“A need does not constitute a call.”

But God meets needs. And He gives calls.

I look at Luke, bite back a sigh, and nod. “Okay.”

Don't miss out on the next chapter in Paige Alder's life
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About the Author

E
rynn Mangum is married to her best friend, Jon. They have one adorable toddler here on earth and one precious baby in heaven. Erynn loves to spend time with her family and friends, particularly if there is coffee or chocolate involved. She's the author of the L
AUREN
H
OLBROOK
and
M
AYA
D
AVIS
series. Learn more at www.erynnmangum.com.