Secret Obsession (8 page)

P
aige positioned her black Gucci sunglasses across her nose and dialed Camille.

“Hey, you on your way?” Camille asked.

“Leaving now. I should be there in about twenty minutes.”

“I’m heading out, too. See you there.”

Early this morning, Paige had called to see how Camille was doing, and although Camille hadn’t wanted to talk in front of the children, she’d sounded very upset and had asked if Paige would meet her at their favorite café for lunch. Of course, Paige had told her yes, and was dying to know what was bothering her. Clearly it had to do with this whole marital disaster between her and Pierce, but she’d sounded like something specific had happened since yesterday.

Paige pressed the button on the console in the ceiling of her car, saw her garage door closing, and drove away. It was another gorgeous Indian summer day, and she felt good. She was happier and more content than she’d been in ages, and she knew it was all because of Pierce and how close she was to having a life with him. She’d dreamed about this for years, and now she wished she’d taken him from Camille before she married him. If she had, she wouldn’t have been forced to spend the prime of her life dating men she hadn’t cared about and then sitting back wondering when she’d find the perfect mate. She’d tried and tried and tried, but finally, she’d had to accept the fact that no man would ever excite her or turn her on the way Pierce did.

Paige turned on her radio, pressed the preset button for XM Satellite’s Heart & Soul channel, and turned up the volume when she heard Kem’s “Share My Life.” It was a song from his
Intimacy
CD, and she loved it. She could listen to it over and over, and sometimes she did whenever she played the actual disc. The chorus talked about sharing your life with someone, trusting in that person, and then professing how they were all you wanted and were everything you needed. These sentiments described how she felt about Pierce exactly, and they would soon describe the way he felt about her. She would be all that he imagined in a woman, and she would please him eternally.

Paige bobbed her head to the song, sang along with it, and when it ended she turned on her compact disc player and listened to it again. Then she played more of Kem’s songs, because the entire collection was remarkable. The man was truly talented and not nearly as publicized or recognized as he should have been, and while Paige hadn’t considered it before, she was going to see what she could do about that. She worked hard for her clients and was very good at what she did, so maybe she could help him. Maybe she could skyrocket his career and make him as popular as some of the more well-known R&B artists. She would certainly try if he would have her, and she was planning to contact him. She wouldn’t be able to do it just now, but she would connect with him as soon as she and Pierce were a couple.

When Paige pulled into the parking lot, she saw Camille waiting in her SUV and parked right next to her. She turned off the ignition, grabbed her purse, and got out of her car.

“Hey,” Camille said, hugging her.

“Hey, honey,” Paige said, and they strolled toward the restaurant.

“Thank you for coming, because I know you probably have a lot of work to do.”

“Yeah, kind of. But that’s one of the benefits of owning your own business. You can take off anytime you want.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“Good afternoon, ladies,” the fifty-something woman said when they walked in.

“Hello,” the sisters said.

“Will it be just the two of you?”

“Yes,” Camille answered.

“Then right this way.”

Paige and Camille followed her to their table.

“Will this be okay?” the woman asked.

“This will be fine,” Paige told her, pulling out her chair.

When they sat down, the hostess set menus in front of them and said, “Your waitress will be right with you.”

Camille hung her leather tote on the back of her chair. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” the woman said. “Enjoy.”

Paige scanned the area. “I love this place. Such great food.”

“I know. I do, too.”

“So, how are you?”

Camille’s demeanor slightly changed. “Not good.”

“I could tell something was wrong when I called you this morning.”

“Well, first of all, two more email messages came from William last night, and even worse, they were in response to two messages that were sent from my account. And this time I actually saw all four of them.”

Paige frowned. “Are you serious? But you never saw any of the others, did you?”

“No. So I’m not sure what that’s about.”

“Did you tell Pierce about them?”

“No, of course not. But I did call this computer expert, who sometimes works with the police, to see what he could figure out.”

Paige kept her composure but was also a little nervous. “And?”

“They could see that the outgoing emails actually were sent from my computer, but they couldn’t tell where the incoming messages were being generated from.”

“Then I can see why you’re so frustrated.”

“No, but it’s more than that.”

“What?”

“Pierce called me this morning, saying that there was no sense in my lying anymore because he now knew for sure I was having an affair. Even said he had proof.”

“Proof? What kind of proof?” Paige asked, but knew his
proof
had come from her when she’d lied and said Camille was messing around on him.

“I begged him to tell me, but he wouldn’t.”

“That’s insane.”

“Tell me about it, and I feel so defeated. I’m so tired of defending myself and pleading with him to believe me.”

Paige held Camille’s hand. “I’m sure you are, and I just wish there was something I could do,” she said, repeating the same words she’d told Pierce last night before hanging up with him. They were such caring words, and she could tell from the look on Camille’s face that she believed they were genuine.

“I know you do, and I love you for that,” she said, squeezing Paige’s hand. “But there’s nothing anyone can do as long as Pierce believes what he believes.”

“If you want, I can try to talk to him again.”

“That’s up to you, but at this point, I don’t think anything is going to matter unless I can clear myself.”

“Well, then that’s what we’ll have to work on. Finding out who really did this to you guys.”

Tears rolled down both sides of Camille’s face.

“Honey, please don’t cry,” Paige said.

Camille wiped the water away with both hands, and a young man walked up.

“Hello, ladies. I’m Jason, and I’ll be your waiter.”

“Hi Jason,” Paige said.

“Is everything okay?” he asked, looking at Camille.

“Everything’s fine,” Paige answered.

“Then can I get you something to drink?”

“We’ll have two lemonades.”

“Coming right up. Also, just so you know, our specials for today include a fabulous tuna croissant, a chicken Caesar salad to die for, and a ten-ounce ribeye with creamy garlic mashed potatoes.”

“Sounds good,” Paige told him.

“Actually, we can order now if you want,” Camille said, and Paige closed her menu.

“Sure. I’ll have the chicken Caesar.”

“And I’ll have the tuna croissant.”

“That was easy,” the waiter said, smiling. “I’ll get your order put in and will bring your drinks out shortly.”

“Thanks,” Paige said.

When the young man left, Camille breathed deeply and shook her head. “I just don’t know what I’ll do if my marriage is over. I don’t know what the kids or I will do, because you know how much they love their father.”

“You haven’t told them anything, have you?”

“Not the truth. Pierce and I agreed that it was better if we simply told them he was going to be away on a business trip for a while.”

“Actually, that’s probably the best thing for now. And what about Mom and Dad?”

“No, because I don’t wanna upset them. Plus, I’m so ashamed.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t do anything,” Paige said, although she was glad Camille hadn’t told their parents the news, because this way her evil mother wouldn’t suspect that Paige was up to anything.

After the waiter brought their food, they ate, but Camille didn’t say very much. Now they were finished and ready to pay the check.

“I’ll get this,” Paige said, taking the slip of paper from her sister.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“You pay all the time, so please let me do this.”

“Okay, if you insist,” Camille said, placing her wallet back inside her bag.

“I do.”

“Thank you again for meeting me.”

“No problem, and if you want me to drop by later I will.”

“I think I’m going to take the kids out to dinner, but I’ll call you if I change my mind.”

Paige took care of the bill, and they went outside.

“I’ll see you later,” Camille said as they hugged.

“I love you,” Paige said. “And please don’t ever forget that.”

“I won’t. I love you, too.”

Paige got into her car, dialed Pierce’s cell phone, and waved goodbye to her sister.

“Hello?” he said.

“Hey, I know you’re working, so I won’t keep you. But how are you today?”

“Hurt. Angry. Stunned. You name it.”

“I could tell how upset you were last night, and that’s why I wanted to call and check on you.”

“Have you spoken to Camille?” he asked.

“Yeah, we just had lunch.”

“I’m glad to hear she’s going on with business as usual.”

“Maybe you should try to call her.”

“I don’t even wanna hear Camille’s voice, and I certainly don’t wanna see her. I do miss my kids, though, and it’s killing me to be without them.”

“I’m sure they miss you, too.”

Paige waited for him to respond but when he didn’t she continued. “Like I said, I know you’re at work, so I’ll just check on you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Paige. You take care now.”

“You, too.”

Paige dropped her BlackBerry onto the passenger seat, slipped her sunglasses back on, and zipped out of the parking lot. It was only two o’clock, but by golly, her work was already done for the day. Boy was she good.

P
aige separated her whites, darks, lights, and towels into four different piles and poured liquid detergent into the washer. Then she added a full scoop of powdered OxiClean and the appropriate amount of fabric softener and tossed in all her white clothing. She turned the washer on, closed the top of it, and went back into the kitchen. She’d eaten lunch with Camille about five hours ago, but she was starting to get hungry again.

Poor, poor Camille and all the trouble she was dealing with. Having an affair, lying about it, and then trying to figure out what she and her children were going to do now that Pierce was gone. If things had been different between them, and Paige had loved her the way most sisters actually loved each other, she might feel sorry for her. But the truth of the matter was, she didn’t. She did care about Camille, she guessed, and she loved her niece and nephew for sure, but she couldn’t and wouldn’t allow Pierce to go back to them. She couldn’t let him slip through her fingers after all the hard work she’d put in, not to mention all the waiting she’d done. Plus, PJ and Crystal would be fine. They would still have an extremely close relationship with their father and would go on to be very happy children, once they saw that their father was better off with their auntie.

Paige went into the living room and turned on Kem’s CD and then walked back into the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator, pulled out a head of lettuce, an onion, a tomato, mayo, ketchup, and a package of Jennie-O ground turkey patties. She loved almost anything made of turkey, but this particular ninety-three percent fat-free version with natural seasonings was her favorite.

She turned on one of the burners, pulled a nonstick saucepan from the cabinet, sprayed it with butter-flavored Pam, and opened a package of whole wheat buns. She pulled one of them out, placed both halves in the skillet, and let them brown for a few minutes. Then she removed the buns, set them on a plate, and sprayed them with fat-free butter spray. This product really did taste like real butter, and she was so glad Karla had suggested she switch from one of the other brands to this one. Finally, she placed her turkey burger in the skillet and cut up her veggies. It wouldn’t take more than ten minutes or so for it to cook all the way through, so Paige leaned against the counter, thinking. She thought about how neat it was going to be once she was finally able to fix meals for Pierce. It would be such a joy, having a reason to prepare all the complicated recipes she’d been wanting to try. Of course, Camille was a pretty good cook, too, and Paige quickly gave credit when it was due, but she wasn’t better than Paige. Camille even admitted it herself, so this was yet another way Paige would be able to satisfy Pierce more favorably.

When her burger was ready, Paige melted a slice of lowfat cheese on it, removed it with a spatula, and placed it on the bun. As soon as she did, her doorbell rang. She wasn’t expecting anyone but grinned when she realized it might be Pierce and rushed to the door.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t him.

“What do you want?” she said and Owen brushed past her without being invited in.

“Is that any way to talk to the man who loves you? The man who was interrogated by the police and willingly gave them a DNA sample? The man who still wants to marry you?”

“I can’t believe you came by here without calling,” she said, closing the door.

“Oh, so now I need to ask permission?”

Paige sighed and went back into the kitchen.

“You’re too much,” he said, following her. “So, I guess I don’t even exist now.”

“I was just about to have dinner, Owen, so what is it you want?”

“The same thing I’ve always wanted. For you to be my wife.”

Paige took a bite of her sandwich and wished he’d leave her alone.

“So, you’re not going to say anything?” he asked.

“What is there to say?”

“A lot.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Okay, look, baby. I’m sorry I came over here unannounced, but I can’t help how I feel. I’m in love with you, Paige.”

As hungry as Paige had been, her appetite suddenly vanished. “Owen, we’ve already been through all of this. The night you proposed and then again a few days later.”

“I know,” he said, moving in front of her. “But I really wish you’d reconsider.”

Paige sniffed her nose a couple of times and frowned. “Have you been drinking?”

“Well, if I have, it’s because of you.”

“Owen, I’d really like you to leave.”

“No. I’m not leaving until I get what I came for. I won’t go until you agree to marry me.”

His words were a bit slurred, and Paige didn’t like where this impromptu visit was going.

“Owen, I’m sorry things didn’t work out between you and me, but you and I are over.”

“You lowdown trick.”

Paige raised her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. You lowdown, connivin’, schemin’ trick. You used me and played me like some childish knucklehead, and I want back every dime I spent on you.”

“You must be out of your mind.”

Owen grabbed both of her arms, squeezing them with all his might.

“Owen, stop it! You’re hurting me.”

“I’m not playing with you, Paige. I want my money, and I’m not leaving here until I get it.”

“Let me go!” she said, trying to escape, but she couldn’t.

“Give me my money, and I will.”

“I said, let me go!” she demanded, and this time she broke free. “You’re nuts.”

Owen looked at her with glazed eyes and left the kitchen.

Paige rushed behind him. “Where are you going?”

Owen kept walking until he entered her bedroom.

“Owen, get out of here or I’m calling the police.”

“Go ahead,” he said, snatching her purse from the bed, unzipping it, and tossing out every item inside of it.

“What in the world are you doing?”

Owen ignored her and opened her wallet. “Is this all you have?” he said, pulling out four twenties. “Well, at least that’s a start.” Then he pulled out a folded picture. “Whoaaaa, now what do we have here?”

“Give it to me,” she said, desperately reaching for it.

“No,” he said, slightly staggering. “Now, why would you have a photo of you, your sister, and your brother-in-law with your sister’s face crossed out in black marker? And why is there a heart drawn next to Pierce?”

“That’s none of your business,” Paige said, still trying to recover her property.

“I thought you and your sister were close.”

“We are, and you know it.”

“Doesn’t look that way to me. No, what this looks like is you hating your sister. It also looks like you have some sort of infatuation with your brother-in-law.”

“You’re sick.”

“No, I don’t think so, and maybe this is the real reason you don’t want me.”

Paige snatched the photo from him, hurried back into the kitchen, and grabbed her phone.

But Owen charged after her, half staggering again, and took it away from her. “You’re not callin’ anybody.”

“You’re drunk,” she said and thanked God her phone rang.

Owen blinked a couple of times. “Now, let’s see who we have here.”

“Give me my phone, Owen.”

“Hello?” he said. “Sure, she’s right here, Karla. And how have you been doing? . . . Good . . . So have I. Well, actually, that’s a lie, because I just found out your girl here hates her sister and has a crush on her husband. But I’ll let her tell you about that.”

Paige grabbed the phone. “Girl, Owen is over here acting like a madman.”

“What?”

“Yes, so will you please call the police?”

“Okay, I’m goin’,” he said, walking toward the kitchen doorway. “But I’m tellin’ you now. I want every dime of my money, or I’ll have to tell your sister what I saw.”

“Owen, please go.”

“No problem. Oh, and I hope you don’t forget what I told you the other day. People should be very careful when they play with other people’s emotions.”

Paige stared at him, and thankfully, he left.

“Girl, Owen is crazy,” she told Karla. “First he came over here without calling, and then he started rantin’ and ravin’ about all the money he’s spent on me. He’s so pissed off because I won’t marry him.”

“After hearing him like this, I guess so. And what in heaven’s name was he talking about when he brought up Camille and Pierce?”

“I don’t have a clue, and I don’t think he does either. He practically reeked with alcohol.”

“Geez. He almost sounds like some kind of fatal attraction.”

“I hope not,” Paige said, even though Owen
was
starting to worry her. He was acting way out of character and not like the man she’d known for many months.

“Still, I think you should take every precaution, and if he bothers you again, I would call the police and file an order of protection.”

“Hopefully, he won’t be back and won’t ever call me again.”

“Man, I guess you never know people, do you? The Owen I met always seemed so nice.”

“Yeah, I thought the same thing until now.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I will be.”

“Do you want me to come over?”

“Do you mind?”

“Of course not.”

“Thanks, Karla.”

“See you soon.”

Paige was glad Karla was coming by, but what troubled her was that photo Owen had spotted. How could she have been so stupid, carrying such a tell-all item in her wallet and risking someone seeing it? But what had been the odds of Owen bursting into her room and searching through her personal property? She hoped he was planning to keep his mouth shut. Although since he was noticeably intoxicated, there was a chance he wouldn’t even remember.

This was the most Paige could hope for, anyway.