Chapter Three: Who I Am Hates Who I've Been

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of this.

"Fine." Paige huffed and pulled out the small stool she had tucked under her cubicle desk.

"Great space." Jay said while adjusting himself on the small stool.

"Is that why you came by, Jay? To admire my four centimeteres work space?" She hastily said while opening a new e-mail in her inbox.

"No, actually, I just...I guess I wanted to say I'm sorry."

Paige stopped typing her sentence midway. Was she going crazy? Was the air thin up in her office? She didn't believe that she just heard Jay Hogart apologize, ecspecially to her.

"What?" Her jaw almost slapped the keyboard, it dropped so quickly. She stared at him the way children do ice cream sundaes.

"For who I was back in high school. I know it would've been hard for anyone to be a bigger tool than I was and..."

"Jay," Paige stopped him by putting up her hand. She minimized her computer screen and took a moment before speaking. "What is this all about?"

"I'm different now."

"Okay but, why are you apologizing to me? Is your wife going to fire me?!" Jumping to conclusions, Paige wigged out.

"No, no." Jay shook his head. "At least, not that I know of. I'll read your piece in tomorrow's issue and let you know." She teased. "It's just important to me that the people who knew me back then to see who I am right now."

"That's really sweet, Jay." Sheleaned foreword in her rolly chair and placed her hand on his. "I can tell you're different. Plus, I've been in Gia's office and I've seen the pictures. You're quite the family man."

"Yeah, I got two amazing kids." He blushed while looking down at his shoes.

"I'm changed, too." Paige softly admitted and Jay could tell. When he took the time to notice, she was a whole lot more compassionate than the Paige he experienced in high school. Even when she was trying to get away from him earlier, she had a kinder tone to her voice and didn't show any signs of being as forceful as she used to be. "I guess a lot of time has gone by."

"You're telling me. I wake up in the morning and I see my grandpa staring back at me in the mirror." He laughed.

"I know. If it wasn't for Botox, I'd be screwed." Paige joked.

It was like the world was spinning backwards on it's axis. Were Paige Michaelchuk, or O'Shaughnessy now, and Jay Hogart enjoying each other's company. Unfortuantly, reality ended their moment with the ring of Paige's cell phone.

"Hold on." She put up a finger and went digging through her large tote for her singing phone. "Paige O'Shaughnessy." She answered it quickly.

"Paige, hey, it's Marco!" Her best friend sounded frantic on the other end.

Paige grinned and turned to watch Jay, who was checking the time on his own cell phone. He had to be back at work in thirteen minutes.

"Marco, hon," Jay put his phone away and was suddenly interested in Paige's phone call. He'd never been nice to Marco back in high school for a very shallow reason. "What's going on?"

"I know you're busier than a one legged man in an ass kicking contest but, my car broke down on my way back to the office. What are the chances you could come by and pick me up?" Marco begged. She could hear his desperation through the phone. "Please, I already owe you, I know but, I'm in a crunch."

"Oh, Marco, I want to but, I have a meeting in twenty minutes. I can't miss it. I really, really can't. I could call Dylan, if you'd like."

"We're in a fight."

"What?"

"I was talking through the Oiler's game last night."

"Marco, how could you?" She teased. "But, I can't pick you up. Want me to call a tow for you?"

Bingo. Jay's light bulb went off above his head. He stood up from her stool and tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hold on, hon." She said to Marco on the phone. "Yes?" She peered up at Jay as he was begining to leave her cubicle. "Oh, do you have to go? Thanks for coming by."

"No, um, I can pick Marco up. I'm on my way back to the shop, I can drive out there with a tow."

"Really?!" Paige grinned and screamed right into the phone, accidentally.

"What? Really what?" Marco felt out of the loop on the other end.

"I found someone to get you."

"Who?"

"You'll see." Paige slyly smiled. "Where are you right now?"

"On Wilkes and Bishop."

"Alright, sit tight."

"What else can I do, Paige?"

"Oh, quiet. Look, I have to jet. We're still on for dinner tommorrow, right?"

"If your brother has forgiven me by then."

"Bye, Marco." She smiled.

"Okay, thank you so much, Paige. See you." He hung up.

"Thanks, Jay, you're really helping me out."

"Meh, Marco should be the next stop on the Jay Hogart apology tour anyways."

"I imagine that's quite a sold out show." She teased.

"Yeah, you're telling me."

"Anyways, he's on Wilkes and Bishop."

"Thanks. I'll see you around, Paige." He spoke sweetly as he began to walk away.

"I hope so." She waved. "Oh, Jay," She waited for him to turn around before she continued. "Look, Marco might not be as forgiving as some. I've got my fingers crossed for you but, don't hold your breath, you know?"

"I never do." He assured her and then quickly took off.

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