Page 21 of Because of Blake
“That’s it? I’m interesting?”
“What?” As he finishes piling food onto the plate and places it on the counter, he stares at me with a blank expression.
“Most of the time when people hear I’m a vegetarian, they either think I’m the healthiest person on the planet, or look at me like I’m insane.”
Even underneath the beard, I see Blake’s warm, core melting smile, and I have to take a sip of water to cool myself off as his eyes dip down, scanning the part of my torso not hidden by the counter. “Well, I can see you’re pretty healthy. For an insane person, that is.”
I laugh, nearly spitting out my water.
Blake hands me a napkin. “Here. Now eat something.”
“Thank you.” His kindness fills me with longing as I wipe my chin. His lack of attempt to take me upstairs is refreshing, although I wouldn’t mind so much if Blake proposed the idea.
Maggie, stop it.
Blake turns back to the counter to make himself a plate of food, and I watch him intently. The broadness of his shoulders, the way his back muscles move as he breathes, the curve where his waist meets his hips. Now my head is spinning and the throbbing has settled elsewhere, much farther south.
He opts to stand on the opposite side of the counter facing me, leaning over it to eat. “So, what are your plans for Christmas? Traveling? Family?”
I shake my head. “It’s just me and the kids. You?”
“Nope. Oscar’s the only one I have around. My buddy’s wife always invites me over, so I’ll go over there for dinner or something, but I always feel like the fifth wheel.”
I suddenly feel the urge to invite him to our house. At least there he’d complete our set of wheels, but it’s an absurd idea so I stop it by putting more food into my mouth. As I chew, I realize my headache is gone. So, no Roofies after all. What a relief. “You were right. Food and water did the trick. My headache is cured.”
A grin spreads across Blake’s face. “If I’d have known curing beautiful women’s headaches was so easy, I would’ve become a doctor.”
The compliment has my toes struggling to move in these tight flats. My cheeks instantly heat, and I turn my head to look at my food. “So, uh, you’ve still got the beard I see.” I raise my gaze to find him still staring at me. “What’s with that? I thought you were going to get rid of it.”
“Well,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “Someone whose opinion I value told me they thought it looked good on me.”
The sheepish grin he gives me makes me feel like I’m going to spontaneously combust, so I quickly shove some food into my mouth.
“Maggie, you alright?”
“Mhm.”
He clears his throat. “Uh, I saw a handyman van in your driveway yesterday. Everything okay?”
“Yes.” I steel myself and raise my head to look at him. “There was a small leak in the crawlspace. It was a quick fix, and the guy only charged me a trip fee.”
Blake leans toward the end of the counter to throw his paper plate in the trash, but keeps his gaze on mine the whole time. “You know, my offer still stands. I’m a handy guy, and I don’t mind helping with things.”
I sigh, setting my cream cheese filled celery stick on my plate. “Thank you, Blake. I really do appreciate the offer, but I would feel terribly awkward asking you to fix my house for free.”
“Who said I’d do it for free?” His mouth curls into a grin as he cocks an eyebrow. “I’m sure we can work out some kind of payment.” When his eyes flick to my mouth, he meets my gaze again, wide-eyed and frozen still. He swallows deeply. “I’m so sorry. That came out way more suggestive than I meant it to.”
I let out a hearty chuckle, though it does little to thin the innuendo thickened air. Blake and I stare at each other a moment, both smiling awkwardly, but not breaking eye contact. His eyes are so soft. So inviting. I want to dive into them, lose myself in their deep, chocolaty warmth.
As I let myself fall into this strange spell, Sydney appears from around the corner. “Mom, Dylan’s tired, and I’m bored. Can we go home?”
“Huh?” I blink myself out of my stupor as I turn to my daughter. “Sure, sweetheart. What time is it?”
“Eleven-thirty.”
“Oh, geez. Go get your coats. I’ll be right there.” I turn to Blake with apology in my eyes. “Sorry, we have to go.”
He shakes his head. “No problem. Actually, can I leave with you? Walk you guys home?”