Authors: Tessa Dayne
“Well, you didn’t cause the accident, Darren. As unhappy as my family is about it, there was nothing with which to charge you. You didn’t push me into the path of that oncoming car and just because I am angry and hurt, doesn’t mean I am going to allow them to unfairly accuse you of attempted murder, aggravated assault and criminal negligence.”
“I’m leaving for San Francisco in a few hours. I got a job for this important executive. He wants me to paint a series of artwork for his holdings. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate what you did for me,” Darren said, heading back towards the front door. He reached for the doorknob and looked back over his shoulder at her. “Goodbye, Paige. I hope you find happiness, in spite of all I did to you.”
As the front door closed, Paige sighed in relief. It was over. The entire sordid affair with Darren was over. She could finally move on with her life, though she didn’t know where that would lead her, now that Jonas had left.
“Is he gone?” Darcy asked, returning to the living room from her bedroom back the hallway. “What did he want?”
“He wanted to thank me for not allowing the police to charge him. As much as you all wanted me to let him rot in jail, I just couldn’t do it. There has been enough lying where he is concerned and although he hurt me, I couldn’t do that to him. He’s going to San Francisco and he’s out of my life,” Paige answered, turning to face Darcy as she sat on the couch.
“So what happens now? What are you going to do?”
“I am going to finish packing up my apartment. I got a call from the realtor this morning. The apartment sold and the new owners want to move in as soon as possible. Darcy, I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here the last few days,” Paige said, reaching for Darcy’s hand.
“I was happy to help,” Darcy said, squeezing her hand tightly. “Will Marcus and Ryan be helping with the last of your things?”
“They have been moving the furniture the new owners didn’t want and boxes every day after work. Dad has really helped by letting me store the stuff in the garage until I know what I am going to do.”
“Have you decided what you are doing yet?” Darcy asked, knowing that if she didn’t go to Spain, Paige would regret it for the rest of her life.
“I am leaving for New York the end of the week. Then it is off to London before heading on to Madrid.”
“Paige with all the flying, you are going to be a nervous wreck or drunk off your ass.”
“The flight to New York is short. I arrive at JFK at noon. My flight to London doesn’t leave JFK until 10pm, so I will have lots of time to spend with Sara. It will help break up the flying time.”
“Why aren’t you flying non-stop to Madrid from here? I would think you would want to see Jonas as soon as possible.” Darcy questioned, wondering why Paige was dragging her feet.
“He doesn’t know I am coming,” Paige said softly. “I haven’t told him.”
Paige sighed. She was using all her savings to fly half way around the world to see a man she hadn’t spoken to in two weeks. What would she do if he didn’t want her there?
~*~
Chapter Twenty-Six
~*~
March 30
Paige closed her book and buckled her seat belt in preparation for landing at JFK. She had managed the entire flight to New York without resorting to any kind of liquid fortification. Amazingly enough, the flight hadn’t been that bad and the takeoff had been smooth. She hoped the landing would be equally smooth and that Sara would be waiting to pick her up. With the long layover, she was looking forward to catching up with her.
Closing her eyes, Paige remembered the last time she had been on a plane landing in New York. Jonas had been with her, holding her hand, keeping her calm. As the plane touched down, she squeezed the armrest and smiled. One leg of her journey was over.
Paige gathered her carryon bag from the overhead and her purse and followed the other passengers off the plane. Heading to the baggage claim area, Paige looked around for Sara. Not seeing her, she grabbed her bags then settled onto a bench to wait for her.
“Paige! It is so good to see you!”
Paige stood and turned toward the voice she heard, surprised to not only see Sara, but Evelyn too. Squealing in delight, Sara enveloped her in a tight hug.
“Sara…thank you for coming to pick me up,” Paige said, returning her hug. “Evelyn, it’s good to see you again.”
“I was thrilled beyond words to hear that you remembered everything. When Sara told me you were coming in to town, I had to see you. I hope you don’t mind.”
Paige hugged her tight. “I was actually hoping I would get a chance to see you while I wait for my flight. I was hoping to pick your brain a bit, if you don’t mind.”
Evelyn leaned back, her hands on Paige’s arms and smiled. “We can talk over a cup of tea and some lunch.”
~*~
Paige pushed her salad around on her plate and listened intently to Evelyn talk about Jonas. She knew that losing her memory had been hard on him, she just hadn’t realized how hard. Evelyn told her about the night of the accident, how devastated he had been, the fights with Darren, the accident he had on set, and the drunken binge with his friends in London.
Not only had he lost the baby he had accepted as his own, but he had thought he had lost her too. He had to watch in quiet agony as Darren had occupied a lot of her time, trying to win her back.
“When you told him you weren’t sure of your feelings, he understood, but he was hurt Paige. He loves you and he wants to give you time to re-examine your feelings, but he wants to be with you. No matter what happens, my son wants you to be happy.”
“The morning he left, as I watched the taillights pulling away from the cabin, I knew I loved him, that I always would. I just wanted every piece of the puzzle to fit together. I know it was wrong, selfish…”
“No, it wasn’t Paige. Listen to me. You are my best friend, and I wouldn’t hold back if I thought you were hurting Jonas in any way. For as long as I have known him, Jonas has always put others ahead of himself. He’s quiet, reserved and as much as he hates to admit it, he’s not as tough as the characters he plays,” Sara said, reaching for Paige’s hand.
“Paige, listen to Sara. Jonas hasn’t found a love like yours since his divorce from Marilyn. Even the love they shared wasn’t like this. This love has already survived lies, heartache and insecurities. You love him and he loves you. All you need to do is find your way back to each other,” Evelyn said, lifting her cup to sip her tea.
“Well, I am on my way. I have to thank you for the correct address to the movie set. And I have his numbers. But, I want to surprise him, so please, don’t let him know that I am coming,” Paige pleaded with them both.
“My lips are sealed, dear. Now, are you sure you want to wait until 10 pm for your flight?” Evelyn asked.
~*~
Paige and Sara walked the streets of New York, shopping and enjoying each other’s company. Paige’s bags were at the private airstrip where the plane Evelyn had arranged to take her to Madrid waited. She had protested the extravagance, but Evelyn had insisted that it made no sense to fly to London and then on to Madrid.
She had wanted to argue with Evelyn, but she had a point. If she didn’t want to meet up with Jonas at the movie set as soon as she landed, she could spend a few days in Madrid, sightseeing or just relaxing at the hotel. So she accepted the ride, which would be much more relaxing than a commercial flight.
“I wish we had more time,” Sara said forlornly as she hooked her arm with Paige’s arm.
“Once I get back from Spain we will have to spend some quality time together. I am sure we will figure it out,” Paige said.
“I know how much you hate to fly. It’s good that you will be travelling in the lap of luxury. Gray’s private jets are unequaled in comfort. He gave Chris and me one when we went on our honeymoon. It had a private bedroom, a private bath with shower, wireless access and cell phone reception, and the kitchen was fully stocked with the most amazing food. There were two attendants and of course the pilot and co-pilot.”
Paige looked at her in complete and utter shock. “I don’t need that kind of comfort. I will probably sleep the whole way to Madrid anyway. I hope Gray and Evelyn didn’t go to that kind of trouble for me.”
“If they did, and I wouldn’t be surprised, enjoy it. It’s not every day you get to travel like a princess. And trust me; the staff will treat you like royalty,” Sara said. “And if for some reason you get to travel in the other jet, it’s just as nice. Chris told me all about it. Either way, you will be flying in comfort and style.” Sara stopped in front of her building and turned to Paige. “I wish we had more time.”
“So do I, but since Evelyn offered to let me use the private plane, I don’t want to put them out by waiting until later to leave. I am getting kind of excited to leave.”
“You just want to see Jonas,” Sara laughed. “He’s going to be so surprised when you show up.”
“I hope it’s a good surprise,” Paige said, hugging Sara goodbye. Paige pulled out of Sara’s embrace and smiled wide, wiping away unexpected tears.
“It will be fine, trust me. Now, your car is here. Be sure to call me when you land and take lots of pictures. Most of all, have a great time,” Sara said, closing the door to the car.
Paige turned in her seat and waved to Sara as the town car pulled away. Once the car turned the corner, she turned back around and settled in for the short ride to the airport.
~*~
Paige sat back in the plush seat and glanced around the interior of the small private jet. They had already taken off and now that they were in the air, she could take the luxury of exploring her surroundings. Thankfully, Gray had the smallest of the three jets made available to her and just one attendant.
There was no private bedroom, but the seats reminded her of couches and recliners, so she would be comfortable enough to sleep. She was assured that the kitchen on board had everything she would need and then some.
“Would you like something for dinner?” Melissa, the attendant asked her.
Paige smiled up at her and nodded. “Don’t go to any trouble, though. Something simple will be just fine,” she said, opening her book on Spain.
The flight to Madrid would take about seven hours and with the time difference, her flight would land in Madrid around 7A.M. local time. There would be a car waiting for her at the airport to take her to her hotel. Once there, she had the information for the movie set and could arrange to go see Jonas.
Melissa returned at that moment and handed her a grilled chicken club sandwich with chips. “I hope it is okay.”
“It’s perfect, Melissa, thank you.”
Paige finished her sandwich, closed her book and turned off the light above her head. With a little luck when she woke up, she would be in Spain.
~*~
Paige shielded her eyes to the bright morning sunshine as she crossed the tarmac to the terminals. Once inside, she cleared customs, had her passport stamped and then headed for curbside, where she hoped the car to take her to the hotel would be waiting.
She stepped outside and squinted once again at the bright sunshine. She had left New York on March 30
th
with near 50-degree weather. Here in Madrid, 12 hours later, it was a full ten degrees warmer. As much as she was enjoying the warmer weather, all she really wanted to do was get to the hotel and take a shower, grab some breakfast and go to bed.