Free Ciao by Melody Carlson Page B

Meanwhile Dylan just stands with his hands in his pockets, looking at Paige with sad eyes. I can’t help but feel sorry for him. He looks so clueless.
    “Let me help with that.” Dylan grabs the luggage cart from me. The next thing we know, he’s helping our driver load our bags into the trunk of the town car. Paige is just getting in thecar when Dylan stops her, grabbing her by the hand. “Can I take you to dinner?” he asks hopefully. “I made reservations at Babbo —”
    “We need to talk,”
she says in a chilly voice.
    “I know.” He glances at Mom and me uncomfortably.
    Mom and I get into the back of the car, and Mom closes the door to give them privacy. “Don’t leave yet,” she tells the driver. “Give us a couple more minutes.”
    “This is so awkward,” I whisper. Mom just nods. Then we sit and try not to stare as Dylan and Paige exchange words.
    Finally Paige opens the door. “I guess I’m going with him,” she says in a grumpy voice.
    “Are you sure?” I ask. “You know you don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
    She shrugs. “No, it’s okay. I want to. We might as well hash it all out.” She makes a smirk. “Besides it’s
Babbo.
How can I resist?”
    “Have fun,” I say in a teasing tone.
    “Don’t be out too late,” Mom warns. Then she smiles. “Remember we have the interview with Rhiannon in the morning. And morning comes early on East-Coast time.”
    “Yeah, yeah.” Paige nods and waves. “Don’t worry. I won’t be out late.”
    Mom tells the driver we’re ready to leave and confirms which hotel we’re going to. I think that this isn’t all that different from how Fran would handle things.
    “Ah, New York,” Mom sighs. “If you’d told me three weeks ago that I’d be here today I wouldn’t have believed it.”
    “So you’re not sorry you quit Channel Five?” I ask.
    She laughs. “Not even a little. I didn’t realize until my last day how much stress was tied up in that job.”
    “This one’s not exactly stress-free,” I remind her. “Yes, but it’s a different kind of stress. It’s stress with benefits.”
    “Right …” I look out to where the traffic has come to a complete standstill. “So, what do you think about Paige and Dylan?”
    She shrugs. “I have no idea what to think. I just hope Paige gets to the bottom of this. If Dylan is truly innocent, it seems cruel to make him suffer.”
    “Do
you
think he’s innocent?”
    Mom frowns. “I’m not sure. At first I thought he wasn’t. But he’s made such an effort to win Paige back. I honestly don’t know.”
    We eventually make it to our hotel. I had expected New York to be less busy since it’s not Fashion Week, but the city is a beehive of activity. After we’re checked in and somewhat unpacked, Mom and I decide to see if we can find a restaurant within walking distance. The concierge makes a couple of calls and it’s a little before nine when we’re seated in a French bistro only a block away. The food is excellent and Mom even orders a glass of wine.
    As we eat, we compare notes on Paris. All in all it’s a fun evening, and although Mom feels a bit sad that Paige isn’t here, I enjoy having my mom to myself for a change.
    Afterward, as we’re going into the hotel lobby, we spy Dylan and Paige sitting with their heads bent together in the hotel lounge.
    “She’d better not be drinking,” Mom says sharply.
    I peer closely and see that Paige has a cup and saucer in front of her. “I think it’s just coffee,” I assure Mom.
    “Good.”
    When we get to our rooms—Paige and I are sharing a suite that’s adjoined to Mom’s room — I promise to keep tabs on Paige and make sure she gets to bed on time. I also think this is a way to make sure Dylan doesn’t spend the night. Not that I think that’s likely, considering the past few weeks … but with my sister, you never know.
    “I’ll check in with the crew,” Mom says as she unlocks her door, “and I’ll make sure