Laughing, I said, “You’ve been around Emerie too long, bruh. This is not what we do.”
Vaughn nodded. “You got a point. Did you fill out your brackets? Who you got for the Final Four?”
Our March Madness tradition had never waned, even though Vaughn lived elsewhere. Each year, we’d put up our money and bet on our picks. “I don’t know yet,” I confessed. “Still debating between Michigan and Georgetown.” Last year’s pot had been enough to pay off my car. This year, I hoped to continue my winning streak and get my roof replaced.
“I like Michigan State. The Big Ten is strong this year.”
Emerie reappeared right before I clowned Vaughn for his choice of teams. She plopped down. “Woo, that bathroom is off the chain.”
I glanced over toward the door just as Blake entered the restaurant. Standing, I told them I’d be back. Blake had recently returned from a weeklong trip to Hawaii for a family wedding, and she was a sight for sore, tired eyes. As I approached her, she was peering at her phone, a slight frown on her face. I took a moment to look her over. Her hair was pulled back and her skin was glowing, probably from all the sun she’d been treated to on her trip. She wore dark jeans, a sweater, and boots. Casual, but still fine as hell.
When she spotted me, she smiled. “Hey!”
“Blake?” Some dude crossed over to her and pulled her into a hug. “It’s been a long time.”
She met my gaze, then addressed ol’ boy. “What’s up, Kevin?” she said, her voice flat.
“When are you going to let me take you out?” he asked. “It’s been a while.”
“On purpose.” She eased out of his hold. “I told you I’m not interested.” Without another word to him, she walked over to me. “I’m sorry,” she breathed. “That was…weird.”
We’d never made any promises to each other, so I had no idea if Blake was seeing other people. Yet, the thought of her with someone else pissed me the fuck off. “Very,” I grumbled.
“I’m sorry,” she repeated. “I’m so late. I tried to get here on time but I had to stop at the office.”
“It’s cool. How was your flight?”
She shrugged. “Long. I slept a lot, though.” Tilting her head, she searched my eyes. “Are you okay? You sounded weird on the phone earlier.”
“I’m good,” I lied. Having another conversation about the drama of the afternoon and Dory was definitely not something I wanted to do.
“Sure?”
“Yes,” I assured her.
“I forgot to warn you. I’m good with parents, but sisters? I don’t know about that.”
Laughing, I brushed a strand a hair behind her ear. “You’ll be fine.”
“That’s what they all say,” she muttered. “I—”
“Hey, sexy,” another guy whispered, cutting in.
Blake’s shoulders fell. “Keon, hey.”
“My mother asked about you the other day. Maybe you could come to dinner over at the house one Sunday?”
She flashed a polite smile. “I don’t think so. But tell your mom I said hello.” Turning away from him, she looked at me. “Ready?” On the way to the table, someone else called her name and she ignored him. She leaned closer and whispered, “I promise this never happens.”
Chuckling, I said, “I believe you.”
“Seriously, Lennox.” She stopped, peering up at me. “I’m not really—”
“Blake, it’s okay.” My gaze fell to her mouth. The urge to kiss her, to claim her in front of every last person in that restaurant, welled up inside me. Letting out a slow breath, I said, “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”
“But…” She sucked in a deep breath. “You’re right. It’s fine.”
We finally made it to our table and I introduced Blake to Emerie and Vaughn.
