Page 73 of Homesick
The entire separation had been amicable, which was odd to me. My entire life, I saw divorce as such a life-altering thing. It’s almost like divorce wasn’t an option in our small town. You were either happy, or you became complacent. There really wasn’t any in-between.
But Emma seems lighter now in this new chapter of her life. I know there are great things ahead for her, but I do worry about how this town will treat her after hearing the news. There are still a lot of old-fashioned people in Honey Grove, and they are not easily silenced. All I know is I will be there with her every step of the way.
“If you want, I could offer to watch Milo while you girls have a night out,” Blake offers, taking a step closer.
“I don’t think she’ll let you watch him after the last time,” I remind him.
“Oh, come on! It wasn’t that bad.”
“You taught him how to fetch beer out of the cooler. He’s a human child, Blake. Not a dog,” I say, shaking my head. I thought it was hilarious, but I can see why Emma was upset. In two more years, he will be starting preschool, and that isn’t exactly icebreaker material.
“Colt thought it was cool,” he mutters under his breath.
When Colt and Emma broke up, I figured I’d have to take sides, but again, I was wrong. Em and Colt were excellent co-parents, and we all still get along great.
They were just two people who weren’t meant to be together forever. I’m just grateful they were able to recognize it before things turned ugly.
I roll my eyes and shake my head before turning around to pick up the discarded paint roller. Today is the only day I have to get this office painted, and I intend to finish it. There just happens to be a very big distraction across the room, taunting me with his perfect smile and impeccable Wrangler-clad ass.
As I finish rolling on the first coat of paint, I feel two strong arms wrap around me from behind. “Blake, I need to get this done today,” I whine.
Before I can argue anymore, he gently takes the paint roller from my hand and sets it safely on the ground. In one swift motion, he grabs my hips and turns my entire body so I’m facing him.
“You can take one little break, Campbell,” he reasons before planting his lips on mine. It’s a simple peck, but it leaves me wanting more.
Before I can go in for another kiss, Blake is leading me into the other room. I try to pull back, but he insists. I let out a heavy sigh and follow him.
When we enter the small dining room of our two-bedroom apartment, I instantly notice a medium-sized package sitting on the counter. My stomach drops when I try to think of a special occasion or anniversary I might’ve forgotten about.
“What is that?” I question as Blake drops my hand to pick up the package.
“Just open it, Campbell,” Blake says with a crooked smile. God, I love his smile.
My heart rate slightly speeds up as I undo Blake’s stellar wrapping job. He still hasn’t mastered the art of wrapping presents after all these years. I am just thankful there is no duct tape involved.
When I finally get the box open, there is a lone piece of wood nestled in some crumpled-up tissue paper. The crease between my eyebrows deepens as I try to figure out why Blake would give me a stick.
He instantly registers my state of confusion and says, “Pick it up and turn it over.”
I do as he says and carefully pick up the piece of wood, making sure to avoid any unwanted splinters. When I turn the piece over, my heart stops for a moment.
I didn’t recognize the wood at first, but now that it’s in my hands, I know exactly which stall the old piece came from. There, carved deep in the old oak, are our initials that Blake carved when we were thirteen.
I’m transported back to the moment when I saw these initials for the first time in a long-time last year. I was so lost, desperate to find somewhere I felt at home. Little did I know, everything I needed was right here in Honey Grove.
A small tear trickles down my cheek, and a warm feeling starts to spread across my entire body. I turn around to thank Blake, but my eyes sink to his six-foot frame kneeling on the kitchen floor.
“Blake,” I whisper in complete shock. My hand automatically goes to the ring that’s been hanging on a chain around my neck for the past year.
My skin begins to heat up, and my heart starts racing out of control. You always think you’re ready for the moment that will change your life, but then it hits you like a freight train, not stopping to let you catch up.
“Relax, Campbell. I was just tying my shoe,” he says with the biggest grin on his face.
“Not funny,” I yell, giving him a good shove when he stands up.
When Blake regains his footing, he takes me into his arms, and my body melts into his. “Did you want me to propose?”
The question stumps me. I would marry Blake tomorrow if I could, but our lives are just too chaotic right now. I am still getting my business off the ground, and he has three more years of school. We also just moved into our new place, and it will be a while before we have any extra money.