“Is there a problem with my coming over? I kind of wanted to spend some time with you, too.” There, he’d said it. Admitted he wanted to see her.
Her face brightened excitedly for a second, then cooled again. What the heck was going on in her head?
“I’d love to spend some time with you, as well. I’ve enjoyed the ASL lessons we did at lunch and the few times after work. But…”
Taking her hand, he said, “But?”
“It’s not what you’re used to. Where they live.”
“It doesn’t matter where they live.”
“You say that now, but I’ve seen the way you look at this place when you’ve dropped me off. You practically cringe. I don’t want you feeling uncomfortable or insulting my parents’ house, even accidentally.”
“I would never —”
“I know you wouldn’t mean to. It’s not what you’re used to, though. You live in the Back Bay, and I’ve seen Harrison and Annie’s place. My parents’ house would fit in their garage.”
“You think I’m a snob. Do I really come across that way?” Did he? The idea that anyone thought he was looking down at them was horrible. Yes, he grew up in luxury, but was it so apparent?
“Not usually, but I know you think this place is a dump.”
Blake peeked into the living room, noticing the eclectic furniture and knick-knacks scattered around the room. It was warm, friendly, and unique.
“I’m sorry if I ever made you feel that way. What I can see now looks nice. That said, I won’t lie and say I’m not nervous for your safety here. I guess that’s the part that shows when I’ve driven you home.”
“And I appreciate your concern. I do. But I’ve lived in Medford all my life. People know me here, and the neighbors all look out for one another. Mrs. Andromeda down the street would be on the phone to the police in a second if anyone attempted to hurt me between the train station and here.”
“What if she didn’t happen to be looking out her window?”
Carli laughed. “She’s always looking out her window. Right now, I’m sure she’s wondering what the Mercedes is doing here and who’s driving it. Assuming she hasn’t already pulled that info from my roommate, because your car has dropped me off a few times in the past weeks.”
“You really don’t want me to go to your parents’ house?” If she didn’t, he’d leave. It was strange feeling excluded and unwanted. Most people loved to hang with him, whether it was because he was a Wentworth or because he was a doctor. He liked to think part of it was because he was a good guy. Big wakeup call. “Okay, I’m sorry I misunderstood.”
“Blake, wait.” She touched his arm, and he wished his jacket wasn’t so thick. “I’d be happy to take you. If you promise to behave.”
He grinned. “What exactly does ‘behave’ mean?”
“Nothing. I was trying to make a joke. Let me get my coat, and we can leave. If we don’t get there soon, my mom will send the cavalry out to find me.”
As he waited, he peeked farther into her apartment. A large archway in the back of the living room showed an orderly kitchen that was clean and well decorated. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Did she really think he was that shallow? He’d have to make sure to change her mind.
“I’m ready.”
“Do you have your CIs in today?”
Lifting the hair over her right ear, she showed him the processor. “Only one. It’s a compromise. I don’t typically wear them when I go there, but with you around, I’ll need to be able to interpret.”
“If you don’t want to wear them, don’t do it on my account. I’ll muddle through.”
“No, it’s always good to have one in case my mom burns something, and the fire alarm goes off. That’s one of the reasons I got the CIs to begin with. We had an alarm going off for a while, because Evan had forgotten something in the oven. It had started smoking, and the alarm light bulb had burned out. Scared the heck out of me when I realized what could have happened if my brother, Brian, hadn’t come home when he did.”
Nodding, he guided her to his car and followed her directions to where she’d grown up. It wasn’t too far, and the neighborhood was definitely nicer than where she was now, with single family homes. Since it wasn’t as upscale as his brother’s house, he understood her apprehension with him being here. As he waited at each light, he practiced saying,Nice to meet you,in ASL. Carli chuckled and told him he’d be fine. Her family were all pretty skilled in lip reading, plus she could interpret.
She directed him where to park, then took him in the side door to a back hallway. The smells from the open doorway were delicious. His mom’s cook never allowed him into her kitchen while she was working. If he’d crept in at night for a snack as a kid and she’d found out, he’d be eating kale in his food for a week.
“I’ll take your coat.” Carli peeled hers off, then took his and hung it in a closet. “Come on. I’ll introduce you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Warn him about what? As they entered the kitchen, he noticed the warmth and care that was taken with all the furnishings. None of it was new or expensive, but it looked sturdy and well taken care of, unlike the furniture in his parent’s house you hated to sit on in case it got dirty.
