The Third Fate Read Online Free

thanks,” Paige countered, smacking her lips. “I’ll stick to my balm. Besides, I’m not a fan of a dark eye and a dark lip together.”
    Applying makeup was not one of Paige’s greatest talents, but with her eyes it didn’t really matter – or so her cousins assured. With her wavy, yellow-blond hair and fair complexion, her slightly darker brows and lashes stood out starkly against pale-green eyes. A little shadow and mascara emphasized them enough that, at times, people stared a moment before complimenting her. Paige had never considered herself beautiful, and aside from her attention drawing eyes she rarely thought about it.
    Paige was not a stand out sort of girl. Brooke and Lara fit that bill. Boisterous and fun-loving, her cousins shared their laughter and antics with many friends, whether at work or play. They had taken over their mother’s flower arranging business a few years ago, allowing Sissy to scale back her hours to part-time and enjoy life a little more. Meeting people, making contacts, winning contracts - that was part of their business, and Brooke and Lara embraced it with a verve and style that charmed all they encountered, slowly growing Triad into one of the premier flower shops in Glasgow. Paige often helped out on the weekends. Arranging flowers was relaxing and solitary. That suited her, being the most quiet and reflective of the three.
    Form fitting denim hugged Paige’s slender hips, the straight leg cut and chocolate hued heels enhancing her long, shapely legs. Paired with a thin, winter-white sweater and short waisted blazer, the look was casual and sexy. Silver earrings dangled from her lobes, and her mother’s spoon ring adorned her right hand.
    “ Come on! There’ll be no tables left if you two keep dallying.”
    “ Okay, Okay!” Brooke giggled, yanking Lara from in front of the mirror and charging toward the door. “Let’s find you a fling! After that dream you described having the other night, I’d say you need to get a real man in your bed!”
    “ Brooke, don’t,” Paige pleaded. “I’ll date when I meet the right person. I’m not a fling having person. It’d just be too weird, besides. I have to know someone before I can …I just can’t jump in the sack with anyone.”
    Bubbling laughter gushed from her cousin. “You’re such a prude! No wonder Sissy is always fussing at you. I’m not telling you to hump everyone west of Charing Cross, Paige! I’m telling you to let go. Stop analyzing every moment and let each day take you where it will. If you meet a great guy who likes all your boring bookish stuff, then take him home and have your way with him! You won’t melt. Trust me.”
    “ Brooke’s right, Paige,” Lara agreed. “It’s time for you to get back in the world of dating. Two years have passed. Jake’s gone, but you’re still here. He’d want you to be happy.”
    “ I am happy,” Paige sighed. “You two just don’t believe me. I’ll meet a great guy when I’m supposed to. Now let’s not spoil tonight dredging up sad memories. I’m over it. Really.”
    Paige turned and ordered a sparkling water, waiting for the sting in her eyes to ease. The last thing she wanted to do tonight was think about Jake. His unexpected and senseless death had crippled her two years ago – almost to the day. Her birthday – he had died on her birthday.
    Just like my mother.
    She hadn’t found out until a few weeks afterward. Jake had been another casualty of Iraq, not a military serviceman, a civilian volunteering to help the fledgling country get on its feet. He never made it back. To this day, she hated her birthday.
    Shaking sorrow from her mind, Paige decided that maybe she should take Lara and Brooke’s advice. She scanned the crowd, the sea of faces blurring together in endless revelry. A heavy sigh escaped her, and suddenly she felt bone-weary.
    I don’t belong here.
    Since childhood the sense that she was different, not in outward appearances but inside,