Chapter 15

Nathaniel was going crazy, or so he thought. It was Friday evening and he had heard nothing from Paige since yesterday evening when she let him know that she got home safe. He had been particularly irritable all day because of this and had decided that it was best to not review his employees work today. He knew he'd be overly critical and he didn't want to take his bad mood out on anyone. Paige would be upset if she found out. So, he decided about an hour into his day to find the owner of the land that was next to Second Chances. Rhonda found the man in less than 20 minutes. Nathaniel tried personally encouraging him to build the apartments, but the owner didn't want to take on the project. So, now he was buying the land that was next to Second Chances as well as the land the shelter was on. The deal would be concluded shortly, as Nathaniel knew people that could speed up the process to transfer the deed.

He thought about calling his mother, but he didn't want to be teased again. He decided to call his best friend Scott. Scott's family and his were close. Their fathers were best friends and their mothers were also close. Nathaniel and Scott had always been in school together and they celebrated holidays together. There was a running joke that their mothers coordinated their pregnancies so that the boys could be the same age. Nathaniel considered the man his brother.

Scott answered on the first ring. "Nate, what's up?"

"Hey, Scott. I need some advice. It's… about a girl," Nathaniel said hesitantly.

"I'm all ears, man," Scott said.

Nathaniel explained the situation. He didn't go into detail about how her smile brightened the entire room or how her eyes lit up when she ate something she enjoyed or spoke passionately when she was advocating for something. He also told Scott the surprise about buying the land.

"Nate, I'm going to be as gentle as I can about this. You like her, but you need to not come on so strongly. Becoming her landlord probably isn't the best move," Scott stated.

"I guess I'll just give it to her, then," Nathaniel sighed. It was too late to cancel the deal, and he paid for it with his own money, so it was technically his, not Donovan Global's land.

"You're just going to gift her millions of dollars of land? You know what, never mind. I don't know how to respond to that. This is beyond your high school girlfriend. I thought you were crazy about her, but this girl has you surpassing that. But, who knows, she might like you, too. She kissed you first," Scott chuckled.

"See, that's why I'm confused! And I did not reject her, I just want to date before we sleep together. If she has an inkling of my reputation, or finds out, then she'll know that I think she's special!" Nathaniel exclaimed.

"Send her a text. Tell her that you really want to explain yourself, but she can make the decision to hear you out or not. You'll respect what she decides, but you hope she'll give you a chance. Also say that you think that you'd be amazing together and any hurt is worth the risk or something," Scott explained.

"Scott, this is genius. You read my mind, made sense of my thoughts and put it into words for me. How are you still single?" Nathaniel chuckled. He had typed the message but hadn't sent it yet.

"Honestly, I have no idea. I'm glad I could help you. Invite me drinking if she dumps you, but if she dates you, I'm the best man at your wedding," Scott joked.

"I would have anyone else up there with me, Scott. Your my brother," Nathaniel said sentimentally.

"I know, Nate. I hope it works out. Keep me posted," Scott said.

"Ok, I will. See you Sunday for dinner," Nathaniel said.

"See you on Sunday," Scott said before hanging up.

Nathaniel looked at the message that he had written.

'Paige, I really would appreciate the opportunity to explain myself, but it is your decision to hear me out or not. I will respect it either way, but I hope that you will give me a chance. I truly believe that what we have is special and that we could be great together. I think that a chance at happiness is worth any hurt that I might experience.'

He pressed send and the text message appeared on the screen with the rest of the messages he sent that went unanswered. He looked down at the file his private detective had made on Paige. He didn't know if he wanted to read it or not. He wanted to respect her privacy but he also wanted to know any detail about her that he could find out. In the end, he decided to put the file in the safe in his office without reading it. Hopefully, he would find out all the contents in the file from Paige herself.

He left his office and went to the first floor where his car was waiting for him. He got in the backseat and looked at his phone. There were no new messages. Nathaniel sighed and threw the phone on the seat next to him, lifting his arms and putting them behind his head. He looked out the window as he drove home.

Upon arriving home, Nathaniel went to the dining room and was served dinner. He couldn't even taste the food. He left and went to wash up before laying in bed. Nathaniel dreamed of Paige. He dreamed of her hands on his skin and her lips on his. When he woke up, he was sad that it was only a dream. He looked at his phone and saw that there was a message from Paige.

'I'm sorry about not texting you yesterday. Honestly, I'm a little overwhelmed. Can you meet today or tomorrow? Let me know when and where.'

The message was sent at 4 am. 'Maybe she's been going crazy like me,' he thought. Nathaniel grabbed his phone and went to change into some workout clothes before heading down the hall to his gym. He needed to think of the perfect place to talk to Paige today.