But it will be.
Itis.
Today is Tinsley’s birthday party, and I need to go back out there and focus on my daughter. She needs to be my priority, always.
Wanting Blake doesn’t make me reckless, but acting on it does, and I don’t get to be reckless when it comes to her.
I shake my head, unwilling to think about this right now.
Moving around Quinn, I open the door, then pause. “Can we keep this between us for now?” I ask her. “Please?”
Frowning, she nods.
I breathe out a relieved sigh. “Thank you.”
Squeezing her arm, I exit the bathroom and go to the kitchen to get Tinsley’s cake. My hands shake as I spread the candles evenly, and I squeeze my eyes shut, blowing out a deep breath.
You can do this, Juliet. You can walk out there as if nothing happened and celebrate your daughter’s birthday.
The moment I step out the back door, my eyes find Blake’s intense gaze, and my cheeks blaze under his scrutiny. I still recall the way he held me that night, the way his strong fingers travelled my body, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
My feet falter, and Everett rushes over to grab the cake from my hands as Quinn gathers Tinsley and her friends around the table.
What is this man doing to me?
Forcing myself to break the hold he has on me, I hurry to my daughter’s side before anyone can pick up on theawkward tension between Blake and me. I smile softly at my little girl as I light her candles. Everett starts singing Happy Birthday, and everyone else joins in.
The huge grin on Tinsley’s face warms my heart as she beams at her friends. She’s the most important person in my life. I can’t rush into anything that has the potential to hurt her.
I cast a quick glance at Blake, my stomach erupting in a fluttering mess. He looks away, and my gaze moves to Quinn, who’s watching the two of us with a calculated look, and I know she’s not going to let this go.
As the lastof Tinsley’s friends leaves, I slump against the door trying to collect my thoughts. My nerves are shot, my pulse is thready, and I feel like I’m about to pass out from the overwhelming conflicting emotions coursing through my system.
The worst thing is, I don’t know what Blake’s thinking.
I caught him watching me throughout the afternoon, and each time our eyes clashed, my body reacted. He’s the forbidden fruit, and I’m Eve, desperate to take a bite.
Heaving a sigh, I push away from the door and try to ignore my traitorous hormones. The last thing I want is for Everett to notice anything going on between me and Blake. I can’t imagine he would be happy.
When I step into the backyard, I’m met with the sound of Tinsley’s giggles, and my lips tug into a smile as my eyes land on the jumping castle, where she’s bouncing aroundwith Everett and Emily. He’s a good brother to Tinsley, and she loves spending time with him. I stand there watching them for a moment, marvelling at how lucky we are to have Everett in our lives after everything we went through with his father. My smile falters because that’s exactly why I shouldn’t pursue anything with Blake.
Guilt twists in my stomach, because even though I know it’s complicated, it doesn’t stop me from wanting him. He’s woken something in me I didn’t think I’d ever feel again.
As I head over to where Quinn’s collecting the dirty paper plates and cups, tossing them in the bin, I push those thoughts down, but they don’t stay buried when I notice Blake and Rory are missing.
“Where’s Rory?” I ask, trying for casual, but knowing I’ve failed when my best friend arches her brow.
“In Tinsley’s room, helpingBlakeput together the dollhouse.”
I bite my bottom lip as I glance back at the house.
Quinn sighs. “Send my husband out here, and I’ll run interference.”
“You’re the best,” I murmur, squeezing her hand.
“Yeah, yeah.” She rolls her eyes. “You need totalkto him, Jules. Do you think you can keep your hands off that sexy beast for five minutes?”
“Sexy beast?” I choke out a laugh. “Why are we friends?”
