She nodded, then looked up as he touched her arm.
“You’re really fun to be with, Carli.”
“To make fun of, you mean. Because I embarrass so easily.”
“Not many young women blush these days. I like it that you do. It’s refreshing.”
Did refreshing equal romantic interest? All the hand holding and staring into each other’s eyes, what did it mean? He still hadn’t asked her on an official date, unless he thought of these as dates. But then wouldn’t he kiss her at the end? He usually drove her home when they had lessons through dinner, but he’d never done more than squeeze her hand.
After paying for the meal, they donned their coats and made their way to the parking garage. After the first few times, she hadn’t even tried to tell Blake that she could take the T home. Having him drive her was far easier, warmer, quicker, and it meant she could spend more time in his presence. Being near him was beginning to be one of her favorite pastimes.
Blake stopped under the streetlights outside the garage and faced her.
“Maddiehad fun. Thank you for your help.”
That’s what his lips said, but his hands had made an error. The laughter came rushing out as she bent over and covered her mouth.
His eyes widened. “Oh, no. What did I do wrong?”
“Thank you.” Reaching over she took his hand and placed it on his chin right below his lips. “It has to be here. Andhelp, it’s this.” She showed him again and moved his hands correctly.
After a few tries, he managed the right way.
“Okay, what did I say the first time?”
Biting her lip, she shook her head. “I can’t.”
He stared into her eyes as he rubbed his thumbs over her hands. “You can’t leave me like that. What did I say?”
She checked that no one was nearby. “When you say thank you but put your fingers under the chin, it’s not very nice. And the other one, also.”
“We’re not moving until you tell me.” He smirked, knowing she was embarrassed but also cold.
“Fine. You said, ‘eff off and poop.’”
“What? I did? Guess I’ll need to watch that. Wouldn’t want to say that to a prospective hospital donor at a fundraiser.”
“Can we go now? I’m freezing.”
“Yeah.” He took her hand until they reached his car. “Sorry about what I signed earlier.”
“It’s okay. It’s not the worst mistake I’ve seen people make.”
“Not the worst…wow. But I like when you take my hands. Maybe I’ll have to mess up more often.”
“Oh, please don’t, especially not around my family.” Oops. Did that sound like she wanted him around her family again? Would he want to after the dinner a few weeks ago? It was obvious he felt uncomfortable and hadn’t understood half of what was said. Of course, her brother had been a jerk and purposely signed a bunch of crap that he knew no one would interpret.
“I’ll try and study harder, Teach, before I see your family again. We might have to have some all-day study sessions for that.”
All day. It would be wonderful to hang out with Blake all day and not just for learning sign language. Was that all this was? This flirting and smiling at her? So she’d keep helping him?
When he pulled up in front of her house, instead of squeezing her hand, he shut the car off. She’d already removed her gloves so she could feel his skin against hers. Did he want to come in? What was he expecting?
“I’ll walk you up to the door.”
“Good job. No mistakes.”
As they neared her porch, the sensor lights flicked on, causing them both to blink. Should she ask him inside? If this was a date, she could offer him a drink, but she rarely had more than the occasional glass of wine. Did she even have any wine in the house? Mercedes might. Peeking through the front window, she spotted her roommate tucked in her favorite chair with a cup of tea and a book. At least Evan wasn’t there.
