“I won’t.” She laughs. “But you’re an adult, Annie. You’re allowed to see whoever, whenever you like. And if you like Blake”—she shrugs—“then that’s the way it goes.”
Do you think he’s a good guy?
“Are you kidding?” She talks extra slow, so I don’t miss a word. “For all that bad boy persona he puts on, he sure is a sweetheart. But don’t tell your brother I said that. I’d hate for him to think I was looking in another direction.” She gives a full-bellied laugh, and her hair and shoulders jump in turn. “Just be careful. Everyone’s a good guy until they’re not. Don’t you even think of letting him touch you. You deserve an epic romance, not some one-night stand by someone who doesn’t care enough to get to know you. Your brothers just want the best for you. They want you to fall in love.”
I wrinkle my nose.No they don’t. They want me to be single with ten cats for the rest of my life.
Baya bounces as she giggles. “Leave the cats to Izzy. You do you.” She holds up a finger and types something into her phone.Go have fun on your date. Do me a favor, though, don’t give your heart away until you’re absolutely sure he’s the one. And please don’t give your body away. You only get one first time, and you deserve both magic and romance—and, according to your brother, a wedding ring, so be careful.
“I will,” I mouth before leaning in giving her a nice, tight hug. Baya is like the big sister I never had. I give her a quick wave before speeding upstairs.
“Where have you been?” Marley has three outfits ready for me on the bed. I choose the one with a blush-colored sweater and tight well-worn blue jeans.
What are you doing here? I thought you were headed up to surprise your man?I spot those navy velvet cuffs she’s been dying to test out sitting unused on her desk.
“I sort of called and asked first.” She shrugs before picking up her phone.He couldn’t get out of a study group he’s leading. I guess we’re out of luck until next weekend. I had a feeling he wouldn’t want me around.
I text back.Sorry to hear it.
Don’t be.She answers.I’m headed to the local sex shop to get some inspiration for my next article. I’m not a pervert. I’m simply taking one for the team.
I give a wry smile.How noble of you.
She lends me her cowboy boots once again and shoves a packet of breath strips into my hand. “Put these in your pocket. You can sneak them into your mouth whenever, and the evidence melts away leaving you with fresh breath.” She shuttles me to the door before spinning me around to see her face again. “Oh, and don’t kiss after coffee.” She wrinkles her nose. “And, whatever you do, don’t eat fish or garlic or anything remotely disgusting.” She jumps with excitement. “I can’t believe you’re going to have your first kiss!”
I’d shake my head or refute the idea, but a part of me wants to believe it’s true. There’s only one goal I have for the rest of the day and that’s to land Blake Daniels’ lips over mine.
I type into my phone.I’m going on a date not a kissing marathon. There is no actual plan to fuse our mouths together.I show her the phone and can’t help but think I’ve espoused yet another lie.
Marley tilts toward me. There’s a practicality about her that overrides her sweetness just enough, and I admire that. She whips out her phone.You do realize he’s into you. And don’t even try to deny the fact you’re into him.She gives my arm a quick rub before finishing her thoughts.If things happen naturally and you’re feeling it—go for it. Just enjoy the ride. What could a little kissing hurt?
My stomach pinches with heat at the thought of his lips touching mine.
I just hope I don’t pass out.
She bites her lip as she jots down a replyYou won’t. And, if you do, odds are he’ll be holding you so you won’t hit the ground. Now get out of here!
And I do.
By the timeI step outside the building, Blake is already there, front and center, with his window rolled down, his head leaned back, his eyes half closed in that sexy bedroom eye kind of way. He hops out as soon as he sees me and breaks into a giant grin. Tiny comma-like dimples dig in on either side of his cheeks, and my stomach squeezes tight at the sight of them. I have a feeling today is going to be filled with autonomic responses I have no control over. Like Marley said, just enjoy the ride.
Blake steps toward me in his blue-gray flannel, his inky dark jeans, those speckled burning eyes, and I melt. Blake Daniels is perfection. Just the sight of him makes all those butterflies that have been making me insane instantly fly away. Something about his presence calms me. I feel more relaxed and at home with him than I do with my entire family. There’s something special about Blake Daniels, that’s for sure.
“You look”—he points to me before covering his face with his palm and circling his hand over it. That’s the ASL sign forbeautiful.
I’m breathless that he learned to do that for me.
“Thank you,” I mouth with a heartfelt sincerity. “You look”—I make the letter H then touch my hand around my face in a circular fashion—“handsome,” I mouth.
He holds his hands out a moment and looks to the sky, and I laugh, touching my hand to my lips to catch myself. I’m pretty good at silent chuckles, but every now and again, one will escape, and my voice box will get its monthly workout.
He gently takes my hand from my mouth his eyes penetrating intensely in mine. “That’s okay. You have a beautiful voice.”
My face burns with a fire all its own as he helps me into the truck, and we head out. We pass the Black Bear, and I feel a sense of relief. I know that what Baya said was true. I am an adult, and I can see and do whatever I want, but a part of me very much wants my brothers’ approval. They’ve always been my heroes, and if I ever hurt them or let them down it’ll kill me.
We drive through Jepson then out into the countryside where crowded city streets and skyscrapers are traded for acres of colorful maples and wide-open sky. It occurs to me I have no idea where he’s taking us, and if I weren’t so caught off guard by the fact he learned to sign the sweetest thing possible, I would have asked.
Blake points up ahead, and a breath gets caught in my throat. An entire row of tiny blips in the sky come into focus—hot air balloons.
