Chapter 16

Paige was running. She had texted Nathaniel and told him that they could meet this weekend. His last text had touched something deep within her heart and decided to at least listen to him like Carrie suggested, but she was still worried.

She needed to clear her head, so after eating a light breakfast and drinking some coffee she got into her running gear and took off from her front door. She had a normal route and a longer route. Today she opted for the longer route. She ran from her apartment to a nearby park, did a lap around the park's track, and then ran a lap around the entire complex before entering her apartment. It was a little over 3 miles.

Paige came into her apartment and slowly drank water for about 20 minutes. She then turned on her shower, stripped off her sweaty clothes and bathed. She dried her hair and applied some light makeup. She opted for leggings and a sweatshirt today. She had a club that she'd be going to later, so she'd wear comfortable clothes until then while she lounged around the house. She grabbed one of the books that she had checked out from the library last week and was about to make herself some tea and settle down to read when her phone went off.

'Can you meet me at Liberty Park in 30 minutes?' Nathaniel wrote.

'I might be a little late if there's traffic, but I'll be there. Where do you want to meet?' Paige replied.

In a second another message was sent to her and it caused her heart to flutter. 'I'll wait as long as you need me to, baby. I'll be at the bench by the fountains.'

'See you there' she wrote back. Paige went directly to her closet and threw on a sweater dress and some knee high boots. She grabbed a jacket and threw her phone in her purse while running out the door.

Paige drive quickly but safely and reached the park in 20 minutes. She found a parking spot and when she got out of her car she noticed a Benz parked nearby. She smiled to herself and walked over to where the fountains were. Liberty Park was a popular spot on the weekend for families due to the large playground, but there was a set of 3 fountains surrounding a pond that was a lovely spot where couples sometimes frequented. She approached the fountains and saw a lone gentleman standing by a bench. He was wearing a long sleeved emerald sweater and jeans. His hair might have been covered by a black beanie and he was wearing sunglasses, but Paige recognized that it was Nathaniel.

"Paige," he greeted as she approached. He had a soft smile on his face.

"Nathaniel," she said, mimicking him. She was in front of him now.

"You look very pretty today. Please, sit," he said gesturing to the bench.

"Thank you," she said softly. Paige never really believed compliments, but Carrie had long engraved 'just say thank you and don't fight someone trying to say something nice' in her head, so that's what she did. She sat down and Nathaniel sat next to her and turned to face her. Their knees were almost touching. Paige felt flushed but swallowed and looked at Nathaniel.

"Paige, I'm sorry if I offended or overwhelmed you the other night. I just want to show you that you are someone that I respect. I want to date you, not have a one night stand," he started.

"First of all, what made you think that I was going to try to sleep with you—" Paige started angrily before being cut off.

"You're right. I should not have assumed that. I'm sorry," Nathaniel quickly interjected. "But regardless, I think there's a spark between us. Even being close to you now, without touching, it feels like something big, don't you think?"

Paige thought for a moment while looking at him. "Maybe it's big because it's dangerous," she said softly.

"Isn't anything that's worth working for? Paige, I haven't ever felt like this. I know it's obvious that I like you. I like you a lot. I'm willing to risk getting hurt," he stated firmly.

"I'm dangerous for you," Paige whispered, lowering her eyes.

"Paige, I know you have baggage. But, everyone does. I have baggage. But I will not hurt you. I will treat you so well. And I'll help you carry any and all baggage, baby. So please, give me a chance," he pleaded.

"You know, I came here with my mind made up to tell you we need to stop this before it starts. But I realized that my head and my heart want different things," Paige said sadly. It was true. Paige had realized that this was why she was unable to come to a decision. Logically, this could only end in disaster, but he gave her heart hope.

"What do I need to do to make your mind agree with your heart? Paige, baby, I will do anything to have a chance," Nathaniel pleaded. He was not one to beg, but he was going to do whatever it took. He had steeled his resolve and had decided that he would win this woman's love.

Paige thought about it and then smiled. "I'm a believer in fate. I have an extra ticket to an event at a club tonight. It's a masked Alice in Wonderland dance. There is going to be over a thousand people there. If you find me, I will date you," she said pulling a ticket out of her purse and handing it to him.

"You realize that I have to get a costume and a mask to go to this," he said, looking intently at the ticket.

"Well, it's 10 am and the dance starts at 10 pm. You have twelve hours," she said.

Nathaniel smiled. This was a game and he was going to win. "Wish me luck, then, Paige," he said.

"Good luck, Nathaniel. I'll be there a little after it opens and I'll stay until the dance ends at 1 am, so you have some time to find me," she said simply.

Nathaniel leaned in and then huskily whispered in Paige's ear, "Good, because I'm coming to get you."

Paige trembled. 'This man… what am I going to do with him?' she thought as she shook her head. Nathaniel stood up, offering her his hand to help her up. She took his hand and stood, but he didn't let go. They walked to the parking lot together, hands held the entire time. Paige's heart felt light and she smiled.

"Thanks for hearing me out, Paige. I'll see you tonight," Nathaniel said, lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing it.

"I hope that I see you tonight as well, Nathaniel," she said softly. She headed to her car and he headed to his.