Paige thought of her father. He would have been a big success on Park Avenue, but he wasn’t interested in money. His only interest was in helping people.
“I’ve already divorced Karen, so we can get married right away.” He patted her hand. “What do you think of the idea of living in New York?”
Paige took a deep breath. “Alfred…”
There was an expectant smile on his face. “Yes?”
“Get out.”
The smile slowly faded. “What?”
Paige rose. “I want you to get out of here.”
He was confused. “Where do you want me to go?”
“I won’t tell you,” Paige said. “It would hurt your feelings.”
After Alfred had gone, Paige sat lost in thought. Kat had been right. She had been clinging to a ghost. Helping those ignorant savages, when I could have been making a bundle over here… Five hundred thousand a year!
And that’s what I’ve been hanging on to, Paige thought wonderingly. She should have felt depressed, but instead she was filled with a feeling of elation. She suddenly felt free. She knew now what she wanted.
She walked over to the telephone and dialed Jason’s number.
“Hello.”
“Jason, it’s Paige. Remember telling me about your house in Noe Valley?”
“Yes…”
“I’d love to see it. Are you free tonight?”
Jason said quietly, “Do you want to tell me what’s going on, Paige? I’m very confused.”
“I’m the one who’s confused. I thought I was in love with a man I knew a long time ago, but he’s not the same man. I know what I want now.”
“Yes?”
“I want to see your house.”
Noe Valley belonged to another century. It was a colorful oasis in the heart of one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
Jason’s house was a reflection of him—comfortable, neat, and charming. He escorted Paige through the house. “This is the living room, the kitchen, the guest bathroom, the study…” He looked at her and said, “The bedroom is upstairs. Would you like to see it?”
Paige said quietly, “Very much.”
They went up the stairs into the bedroom. Paige’s heart was pounding wildly. But what was happening seemed inevitable. I should have known from the beginning, she thought.
Paige never knew who made the first move, but somehow they were in each other’s arms and Jason’s lips were on hers, and it seemed the most natural thing in the world. They started to undress each other, and there was a fierce urgency in both of them. And then they were in bed, and he was making love to her.
“God,” he whispered. “I love you.”
“I know,” Paige teased. “Ever since I told you to put on the white coat.”
After they made love, Paige said, “I’d like to spend the night here.”
Jason smiled. “You won’t hate me in the morning?”
“I promise.”
Paige spent the night with Jason, talking…making love…talking. In the morning, she cooked breakfast for him.
Jason watched her, and said, “I don’t know how I got so lucky, but thank you.”
“I’m the lucky one,” Paige told him.
“You know something? I never got an answer to my proposal.”
“You’ll have an answer this afternoon.”
That afternoon, a messenger arrived at Jason’s office, with an envelope. Inside was the card that Jason had sent with the model house.
Mine [ ]
Ours [x]
Please check one.
Chapter Twenty-six
Lou Dinetto was ready to check out of the hospital. Kat went to his room to say goodbye. Rhino and the Shadow were there.
As Kat walked in, Dinetto turned to them and said, “Get lost.”
Kat watched them leave the room.
Dinetto looked at Kat and said, “I owe you one.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“Is that what you think my life is worth? I hear you’re getting married.”
“That’s right.”
“To a doctor.”
“Yes.”
“Well, tell him to take good care of you, or he’ll have to answer to me.”
“I’ll tell him.”
There was a small pause. “I’m sorry about Mike.”
“He’ll be all right,” Kat said. “I had a long talk with him. He’ll be fine.”
“Good.” Dinetto held out a bulky manila envelope. “A little wedding present for you.”