I replied to reviews in inboxes, but since I can't reply directly to guests, I just wanted to say, thank you for reading and reviewing. :)

Chapter 31

"Hey. How did your date go last night?" Aria asked, looping her arm through Emily's as they stepped out of The Brew, and started a slow stroll down the sidewalk. Downtown was busy for a Sunday morning. The event that the church was running, a funfair for charity, she had learned from her mom last night, seemed to be drawing quite the crowd. The streets were lined with cars, there wasn't a parking spot to be found within a mile of the downtown core, and traffic was bumper to bumper. Emily had dodged more than a few pedestrians on her way here.

"Your date to the drive through," Hanna added, turning to walk backwards, trusting that Spencer wouldn't let her walk into anybody, or anything, "Bow chicka wow wow."

"Seriously, Han?" Emily just shook her head. Though she had to bite her lip to keep herself from laughing. Her friend didn't need any more encouragement to be completely inappropriate.

"Oh yeah? Tell me I'm wrong."

"You're wrong," Emily said immediately, though she could feel her face heating in a blush at the memory of some not so innocent touching that had gone on. She still felt a little bad for groping Paige for the better part of their movie, but she couldn't exactly regret her unconscious decision, because a, she'd gotten to touch Paige's boobs for the better part of the movie, and b, it had led to them officially becoming girlfriends.

"Well, the shit eating grin on your face tells me a different story."

Emily didn't even have to try and school her expression, the wince that came with Hannah's words was automatic, and involuntary. She had never understood that expression.

"We didn't have sex at the drive in."

"So, nothing happened?"

She shook her head. "Nothing happened."

"Not even a little something something?"

Emily shrugged one shoulder and offered up her most enigmatic smile.

"I knew it." Hannah grinned triumphantly and pointed at Emily. "Ha. I was right. I totally knew it. So, what are we talking, first base, second? Rounding third?"

"I'm not discussing the finer points of my sex life with you, Han." She shared just about everything with her friends, but this was one of those things that she would keep to herself. The intimate details of her relationship with Paige were between her and Paige.

"Sex life, huh? So, something did happen."

"It's a figure of speech."

"Since when are you such a cunning linguist?"

"Oh my God."

"Hannah!"

Spencer and Aria both exclaimed at the same time. Spencer tugged on Hannah's arm, turning her around. Emily could only laugh and shake her head. Only Hannah. She had a feeling her friend had been holding onto that one for quite some time.

They walked in silence for a few minutes. This time, it was Spencer who spun around.

"But, seriously, how did your date go?"

Again, Emily's lips turned up in a grin. "So good," she gushed. "Dinner was perfect. The food was amazing. The restaurant was romantic. And Paige. Guys, she's…" Emily couldn't even put into words how wonderful the night had been. "She asked me to be her girlfriend."

So, maybe asked wasn't quite the right word. But, going with the whole keeping the finer points to herself, it was a minor detail to the overall experience.

The girls all offered their congratulations, hugging her and patting her shoulders. And Emily couldn't help but grin ear to ear the whole time, soaking in not just the attention, but the reality.

Paige was her girlfriend.

When the excitement died down, they resumed walking, chatting about other things as they approached the town square, where the bulk of the day's activity was going on.

A maze of tents and tables had been set up across the grass, crafts, penny tables, a few games, bakes goods and, at the far end a bbq. The scent of grilled hot dogs and buttered popcorn permeated the air, making Emily's mouth water and her stomach growl, despite the fact that she'd literally just finished lunch not ten minutes ago at The Brew.

Hannah had been at the fair all morning, helping out face painting, but had been granted an hour reprieve. The four of them had snagged a table at The Brew, a feat considering the crowd today. When she'd announced she needed to be heading back, Aria, Emily and Spencer had decided to stop buy and check out the events.

Although, if Emily were being honest, she was less interested in the booths than she was in who was working them. She assumed that's what Paige had been roped into doing, and as she, Aria and Spencer began a slow perusal of the fair's offerings, she kept her eyes peeled for a familiar head of brown hair.

She spotted Paige manning one of the penny tables, and excused herself from her friends. They offered her knowing smiles and nudges of encouragement before wandering off in the opposite direction.

Emily's step quickened as she approached, her eyes steadily on Paige, watching the other girl as she leaned on her elbows, chatting with a little girl, probably around five, and her mother. As she got closer, she could hear the two of them seriously debating the merits of betting on a glitter change purse or a My Little Pony. Emily hung back, charmed by exchange she was watching. And by the small purple butterfly she could see painted on Paige's cheek when she pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear. Unable to resist, she pulled out her phone and snapped a photo.

As she was tucking it back in her pocket, the little girl made her decision, opting to bet on the pony, then took her mother's hand, and wandered away, flipping a happy little wave over her shoulder as she did.

Paige watched them until they disappeared into the crowd, then glanced around. Her eyes met Emily's and went wide.

"Hey." Emily smiled in greeting as she came to a stop in front of the booth. "I see that Hannah got to you."

At Paige's confused furrowing of her brow, she tapped her own cheek. Paige's hand came up, brushing lightly over the paint on her face, a look of surprise crossing her features as if she'd forgotten it was there.

"What are you doing here?"

Emily recoiled, taken aback by the harshness in her voice for a moment, before irritation swept through her. "Well, I was checking out the fair with Aria and Spencer, but I have a feeling that's not really what you're talking about, is it?"

Paige stood, and Emily took a step forward, then changed her mind and stepped back.

"Unbelievable." She shook her head and turned. Paige caught her arm before she could walk away.

"Em, wait."

"Why? So you can tell me, once again, how it's too hard and we have to keep our distance."

Anger flashed in Paige's eyes. "What did you think was going to happen? Last night was amazing. But, this isn't some town in the middle of nowhere. This is Rosewood. My Mom is around here somewhere."

"Well, it's a good thing I didn't come over here to give my girlfriend a kiss," she hissed, dropping her voice low so it wouldn't be overheard by passersby. "I came over to say hi to a team mate."

Paige's grip tightened against her wrist before falling away, She leaned heavily on the table in front of her, sagging into it, her head dropping, her chin against her chest.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the chatter and din around them. She raised her head and opened her eyes, meeting Emily's gaze. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry."

Emotions warred within Emily. She could literally see the struggle in Paige's eyes, but at the same time, the reaction stung and she was exhausted from all of this back and forth.

Paige reached out, her hand closing around Emily's wrist once again. "I didn't expect to see you today and it threw me off." She squeezed Emily's hand and offered up a soft smile. "I'm glad you came."

Emily smiled in response.

"But, I'm serious, Em. My parents are here. They can't see us together."

Emily sighed and tried to pull her arm away, but Paige's grip only tightened.

"I think they know, Em. I don't know how. But, they do. And it's freaking them out. They're freaking out. They don't even want me talking to you. My dad…" she trailed off and shook her head. "He legit considered pulling me off the swim team and getting me a private coach."

Emily stared at her, unable to form a response. Why hadn't Paige mentioned any of this to her? It hurt, that Paige hadn't felt like she could confide something like that in her. Had she not done a good enough job of being supportive? Had she not been patient enough? A wave of guilt crashed through her as she remembered her irritation and anger a few minutes before.

"Look, I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want to hurt you."

"Hurt me?"

"Yeah. I didn't want you to know about the things they've said, what they think of…you. Of people like you. Me. Us."

"Oh, Paige." She took a step closer.

"Look, don't worry about it. It's nothing. It's fine."

Emily wasn't sure who Paige was trying to convince, her, or herself. It pained her to think that Paige was keeping something like this to herself to protect Emily, when it only had to be hurting her. She knew how hard it was thinking that your parents would despise you for something that you were. And, if it were getting as bad as Paige was saying, she was going to need support, people around her, not to close herself off. But, how did she convey that to Paige? How did she convince her that hearing the painful things actually hurt less than having them kept from her?

"Emily. What a surprise. I didn't expect to see you here." The words were cheery, but the tone was hard.

Her words died on her lips, as they jumped apart, Paige releasing her wrist as if it had burned her. She spun around to face her mother.

"Hey, Mom."

Mrs. McCullers eyes weren't on her daughter, however, they were on Emily.

"Hi, Mrs. McCullers." She put on her most winning smile and leaned against the table, trying to appear casual. "No, no problem. I was just wandering through the fair, and came over to check out the table. Thought I might put a few tickets in."

"I see. Well, any little bit helps. It's all for a good cause you know." Her voice was warm, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

Emily nodded. "Yeah. My mom was telling me all about it. She's actually around here somewhere." She made a show of glancing around. "I should probably go see if I can find her."

She felt bad, creating a situation and then making a hasty exit. But, she honestly didn't know if she would be making it better or worse for Paige if she stayed.

"No need, honey. I'm right here." Pam appeared through the crowd, coming to a stop at Emily's side and draping an arm across her shoulders. "I ran into Aria and Spencer back that way." She jerked her thumb in the direction she had just come from.

Emily nodded. "Yeah. I'm here with them. We just got separated in the crowd," she added, knowing from the way her mom squeezed her shoulder that she knew Emily was lying, and probably knew why as well.

"Oh. Right. Sorry. Forgive my manners. Maureen, this must be your daughter, Paige." She held her hand out, and Paige took it, shaking it warily. "The resemblance is uncanny. Thank you, dear, for helping out today. I know it's probably not how you wanted to be spending your Sunday afternoon."

"Its fine Ma'am. I'm happy to help."

Emily had to duck her head, her hair falling in a curtain around her face to hide the smirk she couldn't contain.

"Yes, Paige enjoys being involved in the community. She always helps us out with our events."

Her implications were clear, and Emily felt her mom bristle at the suggestion that her daughter wasn't equally as charitable.

"She even organized a 5k race for the kids last summer. With all of the proceeds going to charity."

Pam nodded. "I remember that, yes. I didn't realize that you had orchestrated that, Paige. Good work. Zoe was so pleased with the amount that was raised.

"Zoe?" Mrs McCullers brows drew together as she tried to place the name.

"Zoe Benoit. From Habitat for Humanity. She was the one in charge of allocating the funds raised by that race. "

"Yes, I remember now."

"I think she's in charge of this project too, isn't she Em?"

Emily nodded. "Yeah."

Mrs. McCullers glanced back and forth between mother and daughter, confusion etched on her features.

Again, Emily had to bite back a smile. "She said that if you raised the same amount today as you did over the summer, we'll be able to make a trip to Haiti in January."

"You're involved with Habitat for Humanity?"

Emily nodded. "Yes. I've been building houses with them every summer for the past five years." It was something her dad had gotten her involved in one summer when he was home on leave. That had been a local project, as had the next couple, but the summer after eight grade, she'd signed up for one of their overseas missions, and had been back on one each summer since. She was looking forward to making another trip this winter as well.

It was clear Mrs. McCullers didn't know what to do with this information, and Emily tried her very best not to feel smug. She knew it was wrong. Very unchristian of her to feel happy over the other woman's discomfort. Especially when the woman was her girlfriend's mother.

"That's very impressive, Emily," she said, and it sounded sincere. "It's commendable work. Do you enjoy it?"

Emily nodded. "I love it. The people that I've worked with have been amazing. And knowing that we're making a difference in the lives of so many…" she trailed off and shrugged, feeling self-conscious with all eyes on her. She did it because her parents had instilled in her he importance of giving back. They were so fortunate, and it was their duty, no their honor, to help those that were less so. But, to talk about it felt like bragging. She didn't do it for praise, or recognition. "They're a wonderful organization. But, there's so much more to it than just building the houses. It takes a lot of coordinated efforts to get a trip like that off the ground."

Mrs. McCullers nodded. "I suppose that would be true. But still, the trips sound fascinating. I'd love to hear more about it."

Emily glanced first at her mother, then over at Paige, who was staring at her, wide-eyed and white as a sheet.

"Breathe," she mouthed.

Paige's chest heaved as she inhaled a short, sharp breath, and then she spluttered a cough as the air got stuck in her throat.

"Are you okay, honey?" Mrs. McCullers thumped her back until she stopped coughing, then rubbed her shoulder blades.

Paige nodded, beet red now. "Fine. Just, throats kind of dry. All the dust and dirt out here."

Mrs McCullers clucked softly in the back of her throat and went from rubbing her back to soothing a hand through her hair. "Paige has the worst allergies," she informed the others.

"And, you've been outside all day? Maybe you should take a break," Pam suggested. "Go down the street and get some lunch. In fact, I think we could all use a break," she continued. "What do you say, ladies?" She glanced first at Mrs. McCullers, then over to Paige. "Want to head over to The Grill for something to eat?"

Paige reverted to her deer in the headlights look once again, and Emily had a feeling that she had a similar expression. Her mom seemed oblivious as she smiled mildly, awaiting a response.

"Well, I for one could definitely use a bite," Mrs, McCullers said. "And, I'd love to hear more about your trips, Emily. Paige?"

Paige swallowed, and cleared her throat. When it became apparent that words just would not come, she nodded.

"Excellent." Mrs McCullers smile brightly and put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, guiding her from around the table as she beckoned someone else over to take her place. "Shall we?"

Emily's body moved on autopilot, falling into step beside her mother as the four of them made their way through the crowd toward the street, her thoughts racing as she struggled to figure out what the hell had just happened.