What a night it had been…
Socializing with Paige's family all night had been anything but social. More like a hostage negotiation or perhaps an insurrection. Something told him that overthrowing Rome was more pleasant than his evening had been. The Thompson's were very intense, and no question, at least in their minds, was off limits. Paige had spit her fourth glass of wine directly at her Uncle Harold when his wife, Susan, who particularly bothered Walter, had asked how their sex life was. Even going as far as commenting on how she found a new 'sex doctor' who was really boosting her libido, and offered the information for when 'the honeymoon phase' wore off. Even recommended some positions. Susan also asked, repeatedly, when they would get married, how many children they planned on having... Worst of all, she insisted on feeling Walter's muscles, multiple times, saying how he would provide great 'baby making genetics'. That was when Walter had gulped his second glass of wine.
Every comment imaginable was made about them, him, her, Ralph. Teddy had pulled Walter, despite his fierce reluctance, to the cigar table late in the evening to "talk shop" with the men of the family. A cloud of smoke surrounded him, coating him in the scent he was told he would 'learn to appreciate'. He was seated between Uncle Bill and Uncle Harold, both of whom made him very uncomfortable, and both spoke more highly of themselves than even Toby could muster. So Walter intentionally spoke of his work in terms and notions in ways that he knew they would never understand - finding it entertaining when they stared at him blankly before either laughing nervously, or making some remarks like "Well, that's just how business goes." He particularly enjoyed how Paige had stared at him from across the terrace, half paying attention to the conversation with her female aunts and cousins, her eyes steadily locked on him the entire time, with a gaze that made him weary in the best way possible. Soulful, deep, passionate.
Walter drank two full glasses of wine, which was completely unheard of for him, but being such a lightweight, had made him drop his defenses just enough to truly relax around Paige. Playing pretend with her all night… well, those lines had blurred more and more with each sip he took, and each glass she knocked back... He stopped counting after six. But she was eating, so he wasn't too concerned.
Fake kissing her, or touching her, didn't feel so fake as the night went on.
The feel of her fingers running through the hair at the nape of his neck, down over his shirt collar sending shocks down his spine, and to his shoulder, as she brought him over a small plate of snacks, kissing the top of his head… whispering 'hey you' to him in a way that made everyone else disappear... maybe it was pretend, maybe it was the wine, but in that moment it felt real. Very real. The way her eyes met his as he looked up at her and wrapped his arm around her hips after she did so, and the yearning he felt to kiss her lips, without pretense, felt real. The way that Teddy had coughed to get his attention back made it feel extremely real, especially as she turned red and bit her lip, wiggling her eyebrows at him and whispering "good luck, honey" to him had just about done him in. The way she sauntered away, back to the ladies table, so sultry, flashing that award winning smile shining right up to her eyes back over her shoulder to him had him seeing things in slow motion. Wanting to stop time, freeze it, rewind it so he could watch her over and over again.
Walter O'Brien had never been more certain that he was in love with Paige than at that very moment. Nothing remarkable about it, just her walking away, not even out of sight. To anyone else, it was such a simple moment, fleeting, a brief glance back as she stepped away. But all he wanted was for her to never leave his side.
Because he was hopelessly, desperately, unequivocally in love with her.
For their part, the women gave Paige a run for her (as pointed out several times) lack of money. While sipping away at her fifth glass of wine, Betty had commented that drinking like a sailor was unbecoming for a woman, and that it did not make her look good. She had been quick to retort though, partly in thanks to the wine.
"I'm not trying to look good, Nan. I'm trying to make you look good. It's not working."
Betty had scoffed at her changing the subject, and the moment, at least in her company, was quickly forgotten. Certain it would be brought up when she left the table. But for the time being, the ladies were happy to hound Paige for saucy details about Walter as she watched him conversing with the men across the way. He looked so sure of himself, even cocky she thought, a confidence that she couldn't tell was real or assumed for the role. Charming. She found him perfectly charming, and by the looks of things at his table and the annoying voices at hers gushing on about him, her family would agree. Her very own prince charming. Rescuing her from her tower, aka diner, and taking her away from the evil queen aka, her family. The team could easily fill the roles of Cinderella's mice friends.
Sly would be an adorable Gus Gus.
Walter's demeanor was in stark contrast to her own, barely holding it together, being unbelievably intimidated, frustrated, and uncomfortable in the presence of her relations. It was apparent to her that he was going out of his way to make her arrogant uncles and the other men feel like idiots; she had seen him do it to people plenty of times before to people, and had learned when it was purposeful, frequently having to scold him for it. Usually it was for his own ego however.
But not tonight…
No. Tonight, she had no doubt that it was for her, knocking them down off their high horses, seeking small waves of justice for her, and she couldn't help but watch him, completely captivated by his being, smiling with red cheeks whenever he looked over and caught her.
The sun had set, and the terrace was illuminated with string lights and flaming patio heaters, casting a soft glow over his features. The flames of the heater nearest him reflecting in his eyes was a perfect representation of her feelings for him in those moments, particularly when she heard him mumble on about some complexity from a case, and each of his counterparts looking puzzled, and him dropping a line just for her, making her world ignite so fiercely, but also, making her purse her lips to hide her chagrin.
"Oh, sorry, I'm accustomed to discussing these complexities with Paige. She would understand. Perhaps I can explain it in simpler terms?" The look he sent her, that cocky side smirk, it had her toes tingling.
So, just like the fire reflecting in his eyes, she had fire in her soul for that handsome, intelligent, condescending, oh so protective soul who would take a bullet, or take on her family's superiority complex, to rescue her, protect her honor. She was, on some level, registering the conversation going on at the table she was at, mostly talking about Walter, and what she needed to do and not do to avoid losing him, because she was 'bound to screw it up'. Oh, and her cousin Sasha laying claim to him for when she did, even making bets that she could make him hers by the end of the weekend.
But it was all just background noise.
Her eyes were fixed on that tall, olive skinned mystery twenty feet away, and her mind had only thoughts of him. How he had come here for her, put himself through the inquisition for her, was currently surrounded by cigar smoke and whiskey glasses, for her. And all she could think about was how warm it was each time he'd wrapped his arms around her, and how incredible it felt when his lips touched her skin.
She found the excuse once, with a plate of cheese and crackers, to seek him out. She wasn't sure if she was more worried about him having to defend her, or that her family would drive him away, but either way, the need to be close to him was overwhelming her, the need to remind him she was there to guide him away from their scrutiny. The ability to resist her urge to touch him had gone out the window after the third glass of wine and his fourth kiss to her temple, so running her fingers through his hair had felt so natural and easy. He didn't even stop his conversation with the others, making her wonder if it seemed as natural to him, just a normal experience not even a distraction. The feel of her nails scraping against his skin so lightly ignited a different kind of fire in her soul, and so when he looked up to see her, as he slipped his hand around her back, slightly across her bottom due to his seated positioning, to settle on her hip, pulling her close, there was no disguising the look of hunger she had for him. Though the alcohol may be a factor in her determination, she was fairly certain she saw something similar in his eyes looking up at her. Papa's obvious attention grabbing cough broke her from her lustful stance, so she whispered down to him, not even intending to sound or look as seductive as she did, and she shivered at the feel of his hand running over her as she pulled away.
"Good luck, honey." Walking away, she couldn't help the smile that plastered to her face as she peered back over her shoulder at him. Plain as day was Walter checking her out, and it felt good. He was speaking to her grandfather, but his eyes never once left her body as she crossed the terrace to reclaim her seat at the table from Hell. And so, she continued her staring contest with the man that had stolen her heart, her mind, her body, and her soul.
Knowing the rules of the game that was the Thompson family, meant she knew you had to wait for a hosting elder to retire for the evening before you could dismiss yourself, otherwise you would be chastised for being rude, unappreciative, and disrespectful. She didn't care for herself, and if she were alone, she wouldn't even think twice. Already the subject of enough whispers, however, she was hoping to spare Walter from more scrutiny. So she waited, and waited, and waited. Her eyes never long from Walter, nor his from her. For forty-five excruciatingly long minutes, before finally Uncle Bill, who had entirely too much to drink, mixing wine and whiskey, called it a night. She waited five more minutes to not appear rude before excusing herself from the table and rushing over to Walter once more.
"Hey there, handsome." Paige announced as she approached the men's table, being assaulted by the cigar smoke, coming to stand directly next to Walter, her leg touching his thigh, allowing her hand to wrap over his shoulders, behind his neck and finally settling at the side of his face to play with his ear. Walter immediately took her hand in his grasp, toying with her fingers and smiling coyly.
"Hello to you, beautiful."
The ability to bite back her smile was becoming harder and harder. Especially when he looked at her like that.
"Peanut. I trust you're not giving your Nana too hard a time over there?" Teddy chimed in teasingly.
She smirked at Walter before breaking her gaze and looking up to her grandfather who was seated directly across from Walter.
"Oh, but Papa, if I don't, she would have no fun stories to tell at her bridge club. I have a reputation to uphold, Nana has gossip quotas to meet. Not to worry, I have my hard time antics carefully mapped out to be evenly distributed throughout the weekend. Wouldn't want her feeling as though she were missing out." Walter laughed silently at the ribbing of Teddy, enjoying the way she was becoming more brazen - even if it was just the liquid courage.
"Very funny, Peanut. Wouldn't expect anything less from you." He chuckled, taking a puff of his cigar. "You're going to have your hands full with that one, Walter."
Walter perked an eyebrow, giving her a playful smile and nod.
"Oh, I have no doubt."
She turned to Walter, intertwining her fingers into his, relishing in the feeling. So simple, yet so… everything.
"I'm getting a bit chilly, and pretty tired. I'm going to head up to the room. Care to join me?" Her eyes looked so pleading. "If Papa will excuse you, of course."
Teddy glanced at his watch, and put his cigar out in the crystal ashtray on the table.
"Ah, yes, yes. It's quite late, isn't it? You two lovebirds go on. We'll chat some more tomorrow, Walter. I want to hear some more about what you kids did at Chernobyl. That is quite fascinating."
Paige gave him an approving, humorous nod.
"Yes, of course, sir. Have a great rest of your night." Walter awkwardly responded before standing, giving a nod of his brows to her, and waving a stiff hand toward the other men still at the table. "Gentlemen."
"Goodnight Papa, Uncle Harold, Michael, nice to finally meet you…" Paige dismissed, before walking off with Walter, hand in hand, repeating the process a few moments later for the women.
"Oh, goodnight Walter… it has been an absolute pleasure to meet you tonight." Sasha, her slightly younger, drop dead gorgeous, 'it' girl of a cousin, who had had more high profile relationships than Paige even knew men, drawled out, pushing herself against Walter for a hug, very blatantly throwing herself at him, rubbing her breasts against his abdomen. Walter stiffened, tightening his grip on Paige's hand, an uncomfortable, panicked look instantly hitting his face, and it made her oddly very, very happy. "I'm in room 35… if you want to come by… talk… or…uh, not talk." She whispered, loud enough for Paige to hear.
"Sasha!" Paige admonished, ready to take her earrings out and kick her ass. Show her what being raised by an ex-con had taught her.
She would shank a bitch.
Walter, however, making her so very proud, gripped Sasha by the upper arms and forcibly pushed her back to create as much space as possible.
"Um, yeah, Sasha, that is not going to happen. Not now. Not ever. I apologize if you got the wrong idea, but no. If I want to talk… it will be with Paige…" Paige bit her lip in shock, and amazement that he had just said that. Sasha looked annoyed, but backed off, brushing her long black hair behind her ears. "Goodnight everyone."
Betty gave Paige a knowing, and approving nod at how Walter handled himself, and she smiled. He really was shockingly good at this. Leave it to Walter to struggle with every social interaction, but somehow excel at it while being carefully scrutinized by a vineyard full of people who took socializing as serious as solving world hunger. He would never not be the most fascinating man. Always a new mystery to unlock.
"Goodnight ladies." With a nod, they stepped away, before Paige paused and with a smirk. "Walter, watch. You're about to witness 'The Betty'." He looked perplexed, so she nodded in the direction of her grandmother. "My dad and I named her very loud, very dramatic sigh of displeasure 'The Betty' because it is so iconically Nana Betty. We, uh, were at the receiving end of them often. Let's see if I still got it." He laughed at her playful nature, seeing how she had relaxed throughout the night, throwing so many of their comments right back at them. With a smirk, holding tight to his hand still, she shouted over her shoulder. "Oh! Nana, I promised Papa I would have a fresh new hell to put you through tomorrow, so rest up! Maybe we can go get matching tattoos or something. And not to worry, we'll try to keep the talking down so you can sleep. Can't say the same for Harold and Susan, though! That new sex guide she's got… bet they'll be up all night." Betty sighed, on queue, exasperatedly, slapping her hand to the table and Paige shook with giggles.
"Paige!"
"Goodnight Nana!" With a chuckle, she turned to Walter, with a quiet voice. "Okay, now we go… quickly… before she throws me over her knee and I get a spanking."
Walter was smart enough not to comment on that, and simply nod, entering back into the Inn.
Once inside, Paige had a fit of giggles, dropping her head to Walter's chest. His breath caught with how close she was.
"Sorry! Nana just makes it so easy to mess with her."
"I love hearing you laugh." He said it, breathlessly, before he could even process it, and she moved her head back to look him in the eye, stunned. Nerves crashed over him, and he was quick to add "Uh, considering how stressed you were, of course…"
"Don't do that." She was so close to him. So. Close. He could smell the scent of the wine on her breath. Fruity. "Don't cover up your words with what you think you should say." Her hands were on his chest, standing in the doorway that joined the main dining room to the lobby, and her eyes were the same ones she was displaying on the terrace as they sat at different tables, yet were together and alone.
"Okay…" He breathed out, his hands coming to rest on either side of her hips, his breath becoming ragged with her proximity, his heart pounding so loud in his ears. Eyes flicking from hers, to her lips, and back. All he wanted was to kiss her. He wanted nothing more. Her eyes were matching his movements, and as she moved the slightest bit closer, he breathed in deep, ready to close the distance…
In 3… 2…
CRASH!
They broke apart like they had been electrocuted.
"Jimmy!" A female voice shrieked from the doorway they had entered from the terrace, a cousin of the groom standing there appearing frustrated. Looking out, the man in question she was yelling at, clearly drunk, had stumbled into a tray of discarded wine glasses, smashing them onto the stone patio.
"Uh, we should… uh, probably…" Walter awkwardly started, feeling suddenly very sober, and feeling like he was about to take advantage of Paige. She had been drinking, she wasn't in the right frame of mind, no matter how badly he wanted her.
Paige, feeling embarrassed, hid her face, and nodded.
"Yeah… we should go. Before Nana thinks I did that just to spite her."
She had been about to kiss Walter, but deep down, she knew she'd been drinking, he'd been drinking, and things were… confusing at best, being here, assuming these roles with one another. If she were going to kiss him, doing anything with him, she wanted it to be right. Not… blurry.
Unlike other close encounters with Walter, even their one fiery kiss, where she had left feeling hurt, rejected, hopeless, this time was different. There was no awkwardness, just a silent understanding lingering in the air between them, that they both wanted it, but not here, not now. She was leaving this moment filled with hope and acceptance. The subtle smile and warm eyes he peered at her with only cemented that feeling.
This wasn't an ending, it was a beginning.
Returning his smile, she held her hand out for him to claim, slipping out of her shoes, and together they made their way through the lobby to the stairs.
"That was the longest night I have ever experienced." Paige grumbled, carrying her shoes in her hand, still feeling slightly tipsy, but not nearly as much as she'd have expected, as they climbed the stairs to the second level in search of their room.
"Yeah, there is a reason I don't engage in social activities. If I'm ever questioning that in the future, I will remember this night. I am exhausted… and I smell like a bar." Walter relayed sniffing his shirt with a grimace, his tie loose around his shoulders, shirt opened up at the top, a tiredness to his step.
Paige leaned over smelling his shirt, playfully.
"Ooo, yeah, you um, smell like wealth and arrogance."
He really did love her laugh.
"I guess I'm officially part of the club now." She smirked, leaning into his side, though she was certain it was not intentional. Damn wine. "Uh, 27… right there." Waltered motioned to the closed door at the end of the hall.
His heart started racing again. Their room.