He's Got Her Goat (35 page)

Patting his brother-in-law on the back, Sterling continued to the bar. He had to admit Newell was right. He was a loser. He’d lost everything.

After taking their seats, they sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Darryl peered at him out of the corner of his eye. “Thanks for that. Never liked the guy.”

“I feel the same way.” Sterling couldn’t believe he’d ever cared what his old coach thought of him.

“So what were you doing in Texas of all places?” Darryl asked.

“I thought I had an opportunity there, but someone beat me to it.” He tried not to think about Julie gloating over her new boyfriend. “Not sure what I’ll pursue next.”

Darryl took a sip of his drink. “Sometimes if you wait a little while, what you really want will come to you.” He got to his feet and walked away.

Sterling was confused and turned around. He never expected to see what was right in front of him. The sapphire blue formal she wore glistened in the warm light, but it was nothing compared to the way Paige looked at him, as though he were all she ever wanted. If only that was true.

“What do you say we dance?” She bit her lip as if nervous he might refuse.

He removed his hat before standing and bowed his head. “You’ve got to know what you’re getting yourself into. Paige, I’ve got no job and little hope for one. Elaine’s blackballed me from all my contacts, and I’ve lost my apartment, too. I’ve got nothing.”

“Well, I guess you’ve become the man I first thought you were.” The joy in her eyes seemed to grow. “And as I remember it, I liked him a lot.”

“You’re sure about this?” He took a tentative step toward her. “I don’t want you to get stuck in a deal you’ll later regret.”

“Sterling.” She shoved her balled fists on her hips. “If I wasn’t sure, do you think I’d come to the Pit wearing
this
?”

The dress she wore was beautiful but he liked her just as well in the baggy overalls she wore the first time they met at the farmer’s market. “You’re right. I’ve got a feeling this is a win-win.”

“Definitely.”

He threw his hat in the air and took her in his arms, determined to never let her go again.