But he did it saying, “After dinner, you’re coming back to the hotel with me.”
She didn’t respond.
Even so.
After dinner, she was coming back to the hotel with him.
They were going to talk.
And he didn’t intend to bring her home when they were done.
It happened after the third time he reached under the table to take her hand and Blake pulled away.
Ned was at the head.
Blake at the foot.
Kenna was to Ned’s right, Dair next to his mother, seated to Blake’s left.
Davi was across from them.
By the by, Blake hadn’t served them steak.
Oh no.
She served them a perfectly roasted prime rib with crisp, perfectly seasoned hasselback potatoes and the tenderest brussels sprouts he’d ever tasted, the bonus being they were coated with balsamic glaze.
He’d had meals in Michelin Star restaurants he hadn’t enjoyed as much.
But his mother noticed everything. It had been the bane of his existence all of his life.
Now it was going to be the bane of Blake’s.
That and Kenna’s bluntness and honesty.
“I’m sorry,” she said shortly. “I heard the raised voices earlier. You’re likely to think it’s none of my business. However, if it isn’t, perhaps ye two should go somewhere and talk out your issue.”
“Mum,” Davi said low, proving she hadn’t missed Blake’s actions either, “stay out of it.”
“Blake’s not mad at me,” Dair announced. “She’s upset her mother evicted her.”
Kenna pulled in a shocked breath.
Angry color came to Ned’s face, and he asked, “I’m sorry?”
Fuck.
She hadn’t told her father yet.
Something that didn’t need to be confirmed was, when Blake slapped his arm and snapped, “Now, I’m mad at you.”
“Sorry, baby,” he muttered.
“She can’t do that,” Ned stated.
“Well, Dad, she has,” Blake said on a sigh. “I was going to tell you tomorrow. I was busy with doing food prep while managing a hangover. I didn’t have time to be angry and throw a tantrum. She’s having my things moved home.” A hesitation and then, “I won’t stay long. It’s time I found my own place anyway.”
“That is your place,” Ned said.
