She sends a lightning quick text.
He told her to take her rude, drunk ass and get the hell out.
A dark laugh escapes me. I warm from head to toe as he turns toward me.
“Hi, beautiful.” He squints out a sad smile as he lands a quiet kiss on my cheek.
The organizer asks Johanna to leave the premises, and she unhappily picks up her “drunk ass,” her designer trust fund treasure of a purse, and struts out the door. The back of her skirt is tucked into her tights and she’s inadvertently showing off a pair of granny panties to everyone.
Marley snaps a quick picture and sends it as a mass text captioned,Her rude ass.
Classic.
Blake and I share a laugh.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that.” The pain in his eyes says it all.
That’s just life. There are nice people, and then there are the Johannas of the world. I win because I have you. ;)
He shakes his head. “I win because I have you.” Blake both says the words and slowly signs it out as well. My heart melts. Just when I didn’t think I could love him any more he fills me further than possible.
Blake takes over her position, and I win twice because I get to stand next to the most handsome guy in the room for the next hour straight.
An older gentleman in a scruffy coat and fedora comes by, and I scoop him a double heap of sweet potatoes at his request.
He gets to Blake, and they both freeze, staring at one another like lost sheep.
I tap Blake on the shoulder. His serving spoon is midair, his mouth is open, but he’s not moving. He’s gone white as a sheet. Finally he dishes the man a heap of stuffing and folds his arms across his chest with a look of frustration.
“Annie, I’d like for you to meet Boyd Daniels, my father.”
My jaw goes slack. Now I’m the deer in the headlights.
He starts to say something, and Blake holds up a hand to stop him.
“Dad, this is my girlfriend, Annie. She’s beautiful, and sweet, and unfortunately she can’t hear the drivel you’re mumbling.”
“Is that so?” He looks up at me, and I recognize those speckled amber-green eyes.Nice to meet you,he signs.My first wife lost her hearing. I made the effort and learned to speak her language.He gives a dismissive wave. “Ah, I’m rusty.”
No, you’re good. Thank you for that. It’s very nice to meet you.
“Did he just do that?” Blake inches back. “Learn something new about you every day, Pops. Like the fact you’re homeless.” He gives an exasperated sigh. “Hell, you’re a mess. I think you qualify.” He plops an extra scoop on his father’s plate. “You hanging out? We’re almost done.”
“I’ll be over there.” He points to the back of the room before continuing down the line.
I tilt into Blake. I’m completely endeared by his father and saddened at the same time. We service the backup quickly before he nods to me.
“My dad and I don’t always get along. He seems to like you. You brought out the best in him.”
We wrap up the end of the line, and Marley comes over and hangs off me for a second while sticking her tongue out.
“I’m beat!” She laughs. That’s the thing about Marley I love best, she’s the kind of girl who smiles right through anything. Just like the pain her boyfriend is causing her. It’s becoming evident he’s never coming to see her. She mentioned that she asked to have a conversation with him in person, but I doubt that will happen. I think she’s ready for some answers. Although I don’t know how she’ll get them. He’s pretty elusive. Big Foot might be easier to have a conversation with.
Blake wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me in with that deadly grin on his face that drenches my panties. I still can’t believe this gorgeous man is all mine to do what I please with whenever I wish. And, even more, I love that the same is true in reverse.
“You mind if we sit down with my dad for a few minutes? I’ll take you back to the dorm if you like.”
I shoot Marley a text letting her know not to wait up.
