Blake’s eyes widened and she shrugged, but the smile never left her lips.
“Bye, Lennox,” Bekah said. “Maybe we can talk soon.”
“And you can let me know how things are going with your guy.”
Sighing, Bekah nodded. “Right.” Without another word, she hopped in her car and drove off.
Blake inched closer to me, her arms folded over her breasts. “She’s different.”
Chuckling, I agreed. “You don’t know the half of it.”
“You looked extremely uncomfortable.”
“You’re very perceptive.”
It’d been a few weeks since the incident at the bar, and I’d thought about Blake many times—more than I probably should’ve been. I didn’t know her. I had no idea if she had a man or if she even wanted one. But I knew how she mademefeel. My attraction to her wasn’t surprising. Blake was a beautiful woman, with her brown skin, dark eyes, full lips. And that body…Lovely. Today, she wore sweats and a hoodie and she was still stunning. But it wasn’t her looks that drew me to her. For some reason, I loved how her mind worked, how she expressed herself. For some reason, I wanted to protect her, to comfort her, to hold her.
“It’s part of the job,” she continued. “And it was all in your body language. Was she an ex-girlfriend?”
I barked out a laugh. “Hell no.”
Blake grinned. “I was going to say…she’s got some issues.”
Curious, I asked, “You can tell from that small interaction?”
She waved a dismissive hand my way. “Man, no. I’m not a psychic. But she did look like she wanted to kick my ass. So that told me all I needed to know.”
And she made me laugh. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s not your fault. She’s the one who would’ve gotten her feelings hurt if she’d tried.”
“I’ve seen you in action. I have no doubt.” I couldn’t stop staring at her, memorizing every part of her—from her messy bun and the soft tendrils of hair that had fallen in her face to the tiny hoops in her ear. She wore no makeup and acted like she didn’t give a fuck how she looked.I like it. “Are you eating lunch here?”
Blake glanced at the restaurant. “Not really. I hate bird food. I’m actually here to pick up a dozen Chocolate Cherry Scones. My family is having a late brunch this afternoon. I’m in charge of dessert.”
“Ah, okay. So, you don’t cook?”
She frowned. “I cook, just not today. And Bliss really loves these scones.”
“How is your sister?”
Blake smiled again, and it felt like the sun had shone down on me. So bright, so warm. “She’s great. I’m an auntie.”
“Good. You look happy.”
“I am. My niece is so gorgeous.”
Like her auntie. “Got a pic?” I didn’t know why I asked to see one. I just didn’t want her to go.
“You know I do.” She pulled her phone out. Seconds later, she handed it to me. “Isn’t she cute?”
The babywasgorgeous, plump cheeks, head full of hair. She reminded me of my nieces at that age. “She’s beautiful.”
“I’m up to my eyeballs in formula and diapers and spit-up,” she explained, “but I’m so happy she’s here.”
“Congratulations.”
Blake tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I was actually going to call you.”
