That fluttery feeling swoops through my entire body. I’m supposed to be taking this slow with Blake, not fantasizing about him being my boyfriend.
But I can’t help it. Blake issoperfect. I like himsomuch. And every day, it gets harder and harder to remind myself to take things slow…
I change into my pajama shorts and one of Blake’s T-shirts that fits me like a dress. I walk into his bedroom, get under the covers, and mindlessly scroll through my phone.
A few minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.
“Yeah?”
“Can I come in?” Blake asks.
“Of course.”
He opens the door. He’s holding a brown paper bag in his hand. “Thought you might like some tacos.”
My tummy does an epic somersault. There he goes, acting like the most perfect boyfriend in the world.
I sit up, and he hands the bag to me. He sits down next to me and grabs his laptop.
“Wanna watchBrooklyn Nine-Nine?” he asks.
I nod, my mouth full of carnitas tacos. He smiles and pulls up an episode. He leans back against the headboard. When I finish eating, I cuddle into his chest, humming softly as he wraps his big, muscled arm around me.
I look up at him. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
His beautiful ocean-blue eyes glitter as he gazes at me. “I’ll always take care of you, Briar. Always, no matter what.”
My heart beats faster in my chest. Does he mean that as a friend or….maybe…hopefully…something more?
I push the thought aside. Now isn’t the time to overanalyze Blake’s sweetness.
“I’m sorry for fighting with my parents in the middle of brunch.” My face is hot just thinking about it.
He kisses my forehead, and I melt.
“It’s okay.”
“It wasn’t though. You guys planned a nice brunch for your parents, and we made it all weird and awkward.” I go quiet for a second. “You know, I actually thought they would hear me out. They were in such a nice mood from visiting with everyone. But then the three of us were alone in the kitchen, and my mom got all snarky.” My shoulders sink as I exhale. “I was going to tell them about this internship I applied for. It’s over spring break in Mexico City at a prestigious international school. I’d be a teaching assistant and help with lesson plans. I’d even be able to teach one of the sections. My professor invited me to apply for it, so I did. I think I have a decent shot at it. I thought they’d be happy for me. But then we started arguing. And I knew they wouldn’t have cared at all.”
He pulls me into his arms, tucking me into his broad chest.
“I’m sorry,” he says softly. I close my eyes. His warm embrace and soft voice are the comfort I need right now.
“That’s awesome you applied for that internship,” he says softly. “I bet you’ll get it.”
“Maybe. Hopefully. It’s pretty competitive,” I say.
“Yeah, but you’re so smart, Briar. You have top grades, and you speak perfect Spanish.”
Warmth settles in my chest. He’s always building me up. Always my biggest cheerleader.
“If by some long shot I do get this internship, it could be a really good thing for me. I could get a job at the school after graduation.”
Blake leans back, cupping my cheek in his hand as he looks at me. He grins. “That’s so awesome.”
I bite back a smile. I clear my throat and try to rein in the excitement sprouting up inside of me. “We’ll see if I get the internship though. That’s step one.”
He winks at me. “You will.”
