My leg has been bouncing non-stop all night out of nerves. I had no idea Sephine and Hayes would invite Paige. She never mentioned it to me either.

If I really think about it, it makes sense. Cass made an effort to befriend her once Paige was settled in after coming back. Paige and Sephine were friends before and I know Maddox still talks to her.

I just didn't expect her to be here tonight.

The food on my plate is relatively untouched despite it being a home cooked meal that I didn't have to make for once.

I was right about my suspicion that Lacey would fit in with everyone here. I wasn't quite sure why I invited her tonight. It didn't make sense to me other than she seemed like a nice person.

To be honest, I've been feeling a little lonely ever since Cass and Maddox moved in together. She is so busy with the trips they go on for business that I hardly see her. She stops by the bar usually once every two weeks to pick up a shift to keep up with her regulars.

It's not as if I'm actually lonely though. I'm always surrounded by people; it's just not the same. It kinda sucks to lose my best friend to my brother.

Lacey reminded me of Cass when I first met her. I think that's why I invited her?

I pick at a piece of chicken while Tessa and Hayes talk about some kind of recipe they want to try. Sephine and Lacey are talking to Cassidy and Maddox about their most recent trip. Grayson had to step outside to take a call from work, and Paige and I have stayed silent.

She's sitting across from me wearing a bright red sweater with flecks of paint on her face. Paige probably doesn't even realize that they're there.

I lean back in my chair as Paige gives me a questioning look, but I shake her off. "When's your next shift?" She asks, finally speaking to me.

"I was supposed to work tonight but I traded with someone from A shift so I could come tonight. I don't go back until Tuesday morning bright and early." I explain and Cass gives me a grin.

"It isn't the same when you're not here, I'm glad you came."

I look at her curiously, "You're being awfully nice tonight. What are you up to?"

Cass shakes her head, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Maddox looks just as confused as I am and that's when I know there's something going on for sure. Looks like Paige and I aren't the only one with a little secret.

Marley starts to cry from the high chair she's seated in between Hayes and Sephine. Sephine gets up to unbuckle her, "Anyone interested in changing a diaper?" She jokes but Cassidy pushes herself out of her chair.

"I'll take her."

Sephine shakes her off, "Cass, I was just joking. You don't have to do that."

"I'm already up and volunteering to do it," She smiles and I know it's her way of avoiding the conversation.

Lacey looks a bit uncomfortable to have been seated in between Cassidy and I. "So Lacey, what's your story?" Paige asks finally speaking to Lacey for the first time all night. For all the military training she has, she's not exactly being very subtle.

She shifts in her seat as she starts to answer Paige's question, "I don't really have much of one. I grew up in a small town in Virginia. I wanted to experience life for myself so I moved to New York last month leaving all my friends and family behind." I have to give Lacey some credit because she's come across as passive all night, but she doesn't back down from Paige's stare. I know for a fact that's not easy because I've been on the receiving end of her stare.

But I also know that Paige isn't acting like herself tonight. She's normally much friendlier and it's only a matter of time before Maddox notices there's something up. However, I'm banking on him being more focused on keeping his own secret than worrying about the way Paige is acting.

I try to hide my smile because all Lacey keeps proving is that I made the right decision in bringing her, even if I've had a piss poor attitude since Paige showed.

"It's hard leaving the people you love, but if you can find your people then it could end up being the best decision you ever made." Sephine speaks up as Hayes rests his hand on hers.

Lacey smiles softly at her, "I think you might be onto something there."

"I for one am glad you're here. I think we've gotten a little too comfortable with the way things are. Dean bringing someone new might be exactly what we need to get some excitement in here," Tessa announces just as Grayson finally comes back in.

"I'm so sorry guys. I had no idea that would take as long as it did. What are we talking about?" He asks sliding back into his seat between Tessa and Hayes.

Sephine chuckles shaking her head, "Tessie thinks thinks we've all become boring."

Grayson lets out a short laugh, "I'm perfectly content being boring when the other option is our lives being a freaking disaster."

Paige nods agreeing with him, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd be content if the rest of my life was boring and comfortable." She means it as a joke, but Maddox's face falls at the reminder of what happened to her. He reacts differently every time it gets brought up.

I try to keep the mood light, "I can second that, but I don't know. I think some mixing it up would be good," I say winking at Lacey whose smile grows. It's a pretty smile.

**********

"I know I promised you a drink after all that, but I am absolutely wiped. Raincheck though?" I ask, glancing over at her as the streetlights cast shadows on Lacey's face.

"Not a problem, thanks for bringing me tonight. I had a lot of fun, but I'm exhausted. I forgot how tiring socializing is," She jokes giggling lightly.

I can't help but smile because I had a fun time with her, even if Paige showing up caused my anxiety to hit new heights. "Especially with them. There's so many bold personalities that I have a hard time keeping track of the conversation."

"I do have to admit that I got lost more than a few times during conversations. It was just surprising how down to earth all of them were," Lacey admits shyly. "Paige was interesting."

I give her an apologetic look as she stares at me with her dark brown eyes that are almost black in the lighting. "I'm sorry about her. She's been through a lot. She's definitely wary of new people."

"I'm sure it doesn't help that I came with the guy she's been seeing."

My jaw drops slightly but I try to recover, "I don't know what you're talking about."

She gives me a look, "If that's how you want to play it, you might want to be a little less obvious." I don't want to admit that she has a point. Paige and I weren't very successful at hiding whatever is going on.

I let out a sigh, "It's never happening again." Lies lies lies. I don't know how many times I can say that and still believe it.

"I'm assuming that Maddox doesn't know you're seeing her?" Lacey infers and I feel the guilt twist inside my stomach.

"He has Cass. He shouldn't care." Just because he shouldn't, doesn't mean he won't. I know my brother, especially when it comes to Paige.

She's silent for a moment, probably trying to think of what to say to me because I've really made a mess of it this time. "If I learned anything about anyone tonight, it's that your family would want you to be happy. Does she make you happy?"

"I don't know. Paige sees me, but I don't know the answer to that question." I admit slowly because that is the truth for once.

"Then I guess that's what you need to figure out." She says it like it's so simple and I wish it were.

I've made a lot of mistake lately, but inviting Lacey to come with tonight wasn't one of them.

"Thank you for coming, you didn't have to and I really appreciate it. It wasn't exactly my finest night so I'm sorry about that," I apologize because I need to. Everything was going great until Paige showed up and threw me off my game. I spent most of the night trying not to look at Paige and then worrying about Cassidy who has suddenly decided to start keeping secrets from me.

"I should be thanking you for inviting me. My social life has been a little pathetic. Practically non-existent actually. I had a lot of fun chatting with everyone. They're all super nice."

I glance over at her as she looks out the window the car, "Mine hasn't fared much better. I feel like I'm always working."

"There's a difference there; you're saving lives and I was waiting tables."

"Well it sounds like you might be working with Grayson soon. Is it actually something you're interested in or were you just telling him that to be polite?" I ask, turning back to check my blind spot before changing lanes.

"It'd actually be really helpful. I feel bad having my parents chip in on my rent because I'm twenty-three and they don't need to be doing that anymore." She says, but I don't really believe that she's that young. The way Lacey acts makes her seem my age, if not a year or two older.

I'm shocked by her age, "You're only twenty-three?"

Lacey raises an eyebrow at me, "Is that a problem for our friendship?" Her emphasis on the word friendship makes me chuckle because she's exactly the kind of person I need in my life right now.

"Absolutely not. Age is just a number. Besides, you're only like three years younger than me. I lived off my trust fund until my dad cut me off a little over a year and a half ago. I think you're probably doing just fine." I reassure her, not paying much attention to the age difference anymore. I pull over next to her apartment building as Lacey gathers her things together. "If it's not too soon, could we hangout again this week?"

"I'd like that. Can't be too soon if we're not going on dates, just hanging out," She reminds me with a smile before getting out. "Just let me know when you're free. I'm sure I won't be busy."

I wave slightly, "Goodnight Lacey."

The smile on my face stays even after she leaves. I wish I'd spent more time talking to Lacey tonight. She's intriguing in such a refreshing way. I could use someone like her in my life.

I step into the apartment, expecting to have it all to myself. But for once, Paige is sitting and waiting for me on the couch. "I thought I locked the door," I say, shrugging out of my leather jacket.

She stares at me with an unwavering gaze, "Do you really think I don't know how to pick a lock?"

"I'm not sure what reason you would have to pick a lock. Paige you can't be here," I sigh, running a hand down my face.

Paige leans back into the cushions on the couch, "I have never once kicked you out, all the times you come by after shift upset because something went wrong. Something is always going to go wrong, yet I don't understand what you are so afraid of?"

"I run into burning buildings on a daily basis. I'm not afraid. What we're doing is wrong," I protest, keeping a firm distance away from her.

"I was held captive for almost four years Dean. I survived in conditions you couldn't possibly imagine. I know when someone is afraid so don't treat me like I'm stupid." She says firmly.

Her eyes are staring into mine as if she could see right into my thoughts. It wouldn't surprise me if she actually could. "You're right. I am afraid because I can't lose the relationship I finally got back with Maddox."

"What makes you think you're going to lose Maddox? Because he and I were together four years ago? I don't know if you saw him and Cassidy together or not, but I really don't think he'll have a problem with it."

"I know that it's nothing compared to what you've been through, but after you disappeared, things went to shit here. I lost you both. I think Maddox and I literally went two years without speaking to each other. When we did speak to each other it was snide comments that always ended up in arguments. We didn't fix things until a few weeks before you got back and I can't go through it again." I say as she gets up off the couch to walk closer to me.

"There's nothing for him to even be mad about! We've slept together a few times and it's nothing more than that." Paige tries to tell me, but her actions from tonight don't match.

I cross my arms to look at her, "Then why exactly did it take you until the end of dinner to say something to Lacey? You were treating her like she was the enemy and we'll be lucky if no one else picked up on it. Paige you're acting like a jealous girlfriend and we're not dating."

"I don't know Dean! Am I supposed to be excited to see you jump from my bed to that girl's? Why were you treating me like I was the enemy all night?" She says, raising her voice at me which only turns to fuel my anger. I had no intention of having a blowout with Paige tonight because I wanted to go to sleep. I meant what I told Lacey, I'm absolutely wiped. It was a mentally draining day going from shift to trying to catch up on sleep before going to dinner.

"I wasn't. Forgive me for being a little surprised to see you at a family event when you're not family."

Her face falls momentarily and a wave of guilt hits me when I realize the severity of my words. Paige has always been and always will be family. "Don't come to my place anymore. You..." Paige trails off at a loss for words and I think I can visibly see every brick in her wall fall into place as she puts it back up.

"Paige, I didn't mean that-"

"Find someone else's bed to keep warm. We're done."