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Chapter 5

A week had passed before Paige took up the offer on a homecooked meal. She drove to Jason’s rented house, parked in front, and paused, contemplating weather or not she should go in. 

The familiarity of working together in the past couple of weeks just confirmed that they would make a good partnership. Both planned out operation details with the team and were biding time until everything was set so, they would once again be working in the Roland’s garage. This dinner would be the first time that they would be completely alone together, and Paige’s feelings were threatening to overtake her. Before she could lose her nerve, Jason walked out and greeted her. 

While Paige waited in her car, Jason had been anxiously watching her from the front window. His appearance was meant to be welcoming however Jason was secretly afraid that she would drive away if he didn’t do something quickly. So he acted

“Hello,” Paige said shyly as Jason pulled open the door. She stepped out and took his hand. “I hope that you don’t mind, but I brought an Apple pie and Ice cream.” She pulled out a small plastic bag and handed it to him. He peeked inside the bag and beamed.

“Dutch crust; you remembered that it is My favorite,” She smiled pleased that she had guessed correctly.  He gestured to the door and they walked into the house. Bypassing the living room, he led her into the Kitchen where Paige put the Ice cream in the freezer and sat at one of Four stools facing a marble Island in the middle of the kitchen. 

“Can I take your coat,” He asked. She shrugged out of the long sleeve camo jacket and handed it to him. Jason took it and tossed it onto the arm of a couch in another room. She wore her Air Force T shirt, camo pants, and combat boots.

“I don’t want this to be uncomfortable,” he began. “But Are you seeing someone?” 

“No. I haven’t been interested in anyone in a long time” she paused for a second. “or they haven’t been interested in me.” Most men were in fact intimidated by a female in uniform; especially one who hung out with men all day long in an aircraft hangar. She gave Jason a side-glance as he began pulling vegetables out of the refrigerator. Two steaks had already been defrosted and were resting on the counter.

 “Libby tries to fix me up every once in a while, however the men always seem more interested in her then me.” She walked over to the knife set and pulled one out. Careful not to have him see her expression, Paige began opening cabinets looking for a cutting board. Nonchalantly as possibly, she inquired. 

“How about you; Are you seeing anyone?” He paused and looked up. 

“Cutting board?” He gestured under the oven. Cooking together had been routine for them seven years ago and Paige was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was to be back with Jason in the kitchen. 

“No, I haven’t had the time to have a serious relationship with anyone. My friends also try to fix me up but I haven’t gotten past a third date.” She laughed remarkably familiar with that dilemma. 

“Don’t I know it.” She began cutting up the vegetables as he seasoned the steaks. After a couple of minutes, Jason let himself to the back patio and threw the meat on the grill.” Content with her job at hand, Paige didn’t notice his gaze on her. Only after he came back into the room did Jason notice scars on the back of her arms. 

“What happened here,” She bristled at  his question then froze holding the knife in midair. Jason came up behind her and gently took the knife setting it aside on the counter. Slowly and gently, he began to trace them with his fingers. Trembling slightly at his touch, Paige took a moment to gather her thoughts before answering. 

  “I told you that I was injured in an overseas attack. We were ambushed and building exploded nearby. I got hit by a lot of shrapnel from it and was knocked down from the impact of the explosion, then was shot by a Perp, just for good measure.” He pulled up a sleave which revealed a healed bullet wound slightly under her right shoulder.  “It was ugly for a while, I suffered a concussion from the fall, several bruised ribs, almost a thousand stitches from various sized cuts, and two bullet wounds; there and above my hip.” Both knew that she was minimizing the event however Jason didn’t push. When the time was right, she would open up more to him. 

“Can I see?” She shrugged and took off of her shirt, purposefully leaving on a sports bra. Truly blow away at the extent of the damage, Jason began tracing a variety of size scars that peppered her back, and arms. There was another bullet wound in the fleshy area above the left hip. Paige drew back with chills not related to the weather but by acute awareness of his touch on her bare skin. 

Surprised himself at having such a visceral reaction by the mere touch of her back, Jason pulled away and retreated outside to flip the meat.  Paige pulled her shirt back on and returned to the vegetables. Once cut and seasoned, she brought the plate outside for him to grill. Paige went back inside and grabbed two glasses filling his with an iceberg and water and hers with water and a few cubes. 

“Thanks,” he said gratefully as she handed him the glass of water. After taking a large gulp, Jason paused, glanced down, and marveled, touched at her attention to detail. Years later, Paige still remembered how he took his beverages. Before he could comment, She had already walked back inside leaving the door open. 

“Sure.” She retorted nonchalantly. “Is there anything else to pull out for dinner?” he nodded. 

“Potato salad.” She walked to the refrigerator and pulled out a store-bought container of salad. “Did you want to eat Inside or outside?” 

“There should be a Football game beginning in a few minutes, do you want to watch?” He nodded. 

“Who’s playing this week?” She shrugged her shoulders.

“Not sure; don’t care. I haven’t sat down to any adult sporting event all the way through in years.” Jason looked up surprised by her admission. 

“Either the boys at work argue which game to watch and yell at each other while flipping channels, or I am at home to exhausted to argue with my mother who can’t stand sports.” When they were together, date night had always consisted of food and a sporting event, both of which they could agree on whether it be football, or baseball. Both rooted for different teams however neither played in the same division so there was no passionate rivalry. He had introduced her to basketball and she to Hockey, so they rooted for identical teams there. 

“I keep up to date watching sports news and having team apps installed on my phone.” Paige admitted sheepishly. 

“There are some TV Dinner trays in the coat closet if you don’t mind grabbing them.” HE gestured and Paige walked over and took them out setting one in front of a plush couch and another in front of an equally comfortable looking armchair. Making herself busy, Paige found a cookie sheet and lined it with foil, then walked it out to Jason who stayed manning the grill. She then returned to the kitchen and rummaged for plates, silverware and serving utensils.  When he came in, meat and vegetables in toe, Jason was mildly surprised that everything was out and ready.

“How did you know where to look?” he asked. She shrugged. 

“You are a creature of habit.” Before he could respond, Paige began preparing her plate and took food and water to the room with the television. Settling into the Armchair, Paige began eating eyes glued to the game in front of her. He strolled in a moment later gave her a once over then settled onto the couch, wondering why she kept her distance. At halftime, they cleaned up and finished the Apple pie alamode. At the end of the game, Jason glanced over to find that she had fallen asleep on the chair. Quietly, Jason made his way to the linin closet to pull out a blanket, and gently covered her careful not to arouse her. 

He found her phone on the counter and scrolled to the number identified as being Mom. After a couple of rings, an unfamiliar voice picked up. 

“Hello,” Jason said suddenly unaware of how to proceed. “This is Jason Garrett; I work with your daughter.” 

“Yes,” a female voice answered a bit uncomfortable with the voice of a practical stranger. 

“I wanted to let you know that Paige fell asleep on my armchair.” There was silence on the other end. “Nothing happened.” He didn’t know why he felt the need to explain himself, however he continued “Paige is always rushing home after work and I didn’t want you to be worried.” The woman on the other line sighed loudly. 

“Thanks for letting me know. Tell her when she gets up not to worry. I have everything under control.” Puzzled, he nodded to the phone. There seemed to be a coded meaning with the message. 

“Anything else?”

“Let her sleep. She needs it.” 

Several hours later, Paige jerked up, unfamiliar with her surroundings. Managing to untangle herself from the blanket, she looked up to find a pair of familiar brown eyes gazing sleepily at her. 

“Hello,” he said almost in a whisper. 

“Where is the bathroom?” She replied. He got up and made his way down the hall, turned on a light and led her to the restroom. She disappeared for a quick moment into the room then emerged quickly.   Eyes wide awake in absolute embarrassment and horror, Paige managed to croak “What time is it?” He glanced at his phone. 

“Three fifteen.” She felt her pockets for keys and beelined for the door. 

“I have to go home.” Bewildered, he tried to stop her from making her way to the front door.

“Why? I called and talked to your mother. She told me to let you sleep.” Narrowing her eyes at him, she poked his chest angerly. Amused, he took and held her hands as if trying to calm her down. Paige looked past him to the door, desperately ready to run from his house. 

“You don’t understand. I must go home now. Thanks for dinner.” Without another word, Paige walked to the front of the house, let herself out walked to the car and drove away. Perplexed, he shut and locked the front door nursing the bruised ego. It wasn’t until the morning time that either remembered Paige’s jacket. 

The story continues. If you missed the first parts, go to https://the-armijo-signal.com/25286/entertainment/and-so-it-begins/, https://the-armijo-signal.com/25461/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-2/,  https://the-armijo-signal.com/25831/entertainment/mystery-authors-story-chapter-3/ and https://the-armijo-signal.com/26214/entertainment/chapter-4-of-the-mystery-writers-story/