A Fresh Start by Trisha Grace Page B

upstairs to work.
    He did come down periodically to check on her, but that was it. He didn’t hover over her, telling her what was the best way to do it or how she was doing it wrong.
    Then, they began working in closer proximity and she began noticing more of him.  
    While Andrew carried bulging muscles, probably a necessity for carrying his heavy field pack and guns, Justin’s muscles were lean and sculpted.  
    Each time Justin picked up something heavy, each time he was busy working on something, she couldn’t help but allow her stare to linger for a moment longer than she should.
    Closing her eyes, Paige pushed her hair back and turned off the shower.
    If only there was a way to know that Cole had moved on, that way, she wouldn’t feel so guilty over having such a great time with Justin.
    She sighed softly.  
    Andrew did tell her that Cole had called once, and he’d given Cole the letter she’d written; the letter explaining her decision to leave and apologizing that she didn’t think they belonged together.  
    Since then, Cole hadn’t called Andrew again.
    Maybe Cole had clean forgotten about her.
    Paige got dressed and moved to the window. She ran her hand down the edge of the curtain; down the line where the cloth had been folded back and stitched, feeling the grains of the cloth against her finger. She gazed out onto the streets and watched Justin parked his car in front of her house.
    A fresh start was exactly what she needed.
    She couldn’t remember when was the last time she looked out of her window from her apartment in New York. Her curtains were always drawn, and she didn’t allow herself to stay by the windows.  
    She turned as the classic iPhone ringtone sounded from her bed. Moving over, she stared at the unfamiliar number across her screen.  
    This is a new phone. There’s nothing to be afraid of. She took in a deep breath and picked up the call as she went down the stairs.
    “Hello?” a lady said on the other end.
    She sighed softly. “Yes?”
    “Miss Watson?”
    “Yes.” Paige opened the door and smiled at Justin.
    “I’m Mrs. Garner, calling from Pine Bluffs High School. Are you still interested in the math teacher position?”
    She closed the door behind her and straightened. “Yes.”
    Mrs. Garner went on to tell her that one of the math teachers might have to leave in two months time and the position would be opened.
    Two months were a long time without work, but it was still way better than having no job at all.  
    She bit down on her lips, trying to suppress her excitement.  
    When she noticed Justin staring at her, she bounced down the steps from her house and right into Justin.  
    He reached out and held her by her waist.
    “I got the job,” she mouthed, her free hand pointing at her phone. “I got the job.”
    Paige took in three deep breaths while Mrs. Garner promised to call again to let her know when she would have to go down to settle the paperwork. “Thanks. Yes. See you.” She hung up the call and threw her arms over Justin. “I got the job!”
    He laughed and wrapped his arm across her waist. “Congrats.”
    “Thank you,” she said and suddenly realized the position she was in. She pressed her lips into a thin line and stepped back. “I still have to wait another two months, but it’s something. Let’s go out for dinner tonight, my treat. I’ll ask the Seymours along.”

    Justin dropped his arms and watched Paige half skipped over to the Seymours. He didn’t want to let her go, she was so warm and soft, and the scent she wore was really soothing.
    He didn’t know what it was, but she smelled like she’d just came out from a spa.
    He shook his head and followed Paige.
    He shouldn’t be thinking about how warm she was or how nice she smelled. He shouldn’t be thinking about spending more time with her.
    He was only there to help with the house until Travis was ready to return to work.  
    Then he would leave Pine.
    There was no reason for him to