He started to reach for her, then stopped himself. Wanting his reassuring touch, she caught hold of his hand. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze. Despite the darkness outside, she was able to see the gleam of warmth and caring in his eyes. The light turned green and she sat back. “Hey, Blake, do you think we could stop at Melissa Ann’s? We’re not far from the bakery now, and they don’t close for another fifteen minutes.”
“That’s a great idea.”
Moments later, he parked. “Feel like coming in, or should I surprise you?”
For some reason, she wanted to stay close to him. “I’ll come in with you.”
There were several customers in the store. She reached for his hand again. His warm fingers wrapped around hers, and he almost smiled. While they selected their treats and he paid, sherealized that something inside her had changed tonight. Maybe it was time she stopped holding herself back from doing what she really wanted, to be held and kissed and adored even for a short period of time. To let feelings run wild as Rose had suggested.
A scary thought.Don’t do it, a little voice in her mind urged.I don’t expect anything serious to come of it,so I won’t get hurt, she answered back. Talking to herself and answering—that was a new one.
She wanted what she wanted—him—and that was that.
Moments later, treats in hand and back in the car, Blake drove on. “Suddenly, you seem different,” he said after another long silence.
“What happened tonight gave me the willies.”
“I don’t blame you. But your whole vibe has changed.”
Wondering at that, she glanced his way. “How so?”
He was quiet a moment, thinking, she guessed. “I can’t describe it. Less tense, like you’re calming down.”
The man had no idea. “I’m better,” she said and wanted to show him exactly what had changed.
Slowing, he signaled. “We’re almost there.”
“That didn’t take long.” Decorative street lights illuminated big lots and houses that were lit up inside. “You live in an upscale neighborhood. Maybe it’s the lights, but being here gives me a good feeling.”
“Funny, that’s how I felt when the real estate agent showed me the house.”
He pulled into a driveway but stopped short of the garage. She wondered what he had packed in there. Oh, please, don’t let him be a packrat.
“The shed out back where I kept my bikes and equipment was in bad shape,” he said, almost as if something in her expression gave her thoughts away. “The contractor demolishedit and hauled out the mess. He’s getting ready to build me a new one. Until then, I’m keeping everything in there.”
Then not a packrat. From what he said, anyway. She hadn’t seen the inside of his house. A two story that looked to be a decent size. “Your house is much bigger than mine.”
“Three bedrooms isn’t that big. I bought it because I wanted a place that was mine, plus I liked what I saw.”
“Stability. I know that feeling.”
He nodded. “I’ll give you a quick tour, then we’ll sit out on the deck with our treats and wine or pop. Your choice.”
“Wine sounds good.”
She enjoyed seeing the house. On the main floor, a living room about twice the size of hers with a gas fireplace, comfy-looking chairs and a sofa. Also a dining room and a kitchen big enough for a table, plus a full bath and a bedroom he used as a home office. Upstairs, another full bath and the additional two bedrooms. The smaller of the two for company and the other where he slept. A glance around showed no signs of clutter. He wasn’t a packrat or a messy person. Check and check.
But the deck out back was her favorite. Soft outdoor lighting illuminated a fenced yard. Beyond that, darkness. The house was close enough to the ocean to smell it, and she could hear the rush of the waves. “I love being out here,” she said from her comfortable lounge chair. Blake sat in its twin, a wood patio table between them. “You were right about the moon. Its reflection on the water is so pretty.” Also romantic.
“I knew you’d like it. You should see the view in daylight.”
“Maybe you’ll show it to me someday,” she said, trying not to want that too much. “I’m ready for my treat.” The bakery box was on the table. She opened it and salivated at the aroma of the chocolate eclairs.
They set their treats on napkins, and Blake poured the wine.
