Page 37 of Because of Blake
Maybe Blake would snuggle with me.
That will definitely send a signal. One I’m ready to send, but I’m not sure Blake wants, so I’ll have to be content to snuggle with Oscar for now.
Halfway through the movie, Blake pauses it and stands up, “I’m going to have another beer. Do you want another soda?”
I shake my head. “No, thank you. One is enough.”
Blake disappears into the kitchen, and I hear bottles clinking, the snap and spurt of the cap being shucked, then he’s back at the couch. This time, though, he’s on the cushion next to mine. Still far enough away to be nonthreatening, but close enough if I reached my hand out, I could touch his. I won’t, but I could if I wanted. My toes wiggle so much under Oscar’s soft coat, he gets up and settles onto another cushion.
Blake arches an eyebrow at Oscar, and hands me a bottle of water. “Here. Water’s better than nothing.”
“Thank you.” My cheeks heat and I turn my gaze down to Oscar who’s fallen asleep. Traitor.
The movie resumes and soon explosions and acrobatics ensue, keeping the room anything from silent. It’s entertaining, to say the least, but my attention is elsewhere.
As the credits roll, Blake turns and asks, “So, what did you think?”
I don’t really know how to answer. I was only watching the movie part of the time. I was more focused on Blake in my peripheral vision. He fidgeted with his beer bottle a lot, shifted his position on the couch at least once every ten minutes, and when he sat down between the cushions, he was as stiff as a board. I couldn’t tell if he was looking at me since I was trying not to look at him, but there were a few moments I thought I saw his head turn.
“It was good,” I say, hoping it’s enough to convince him.
“Still not your style, huh?”
“What? No, it was good. I’ve watched a lot of these with Dylan. I enjoyed this one.” What I saw of it, at least.
Blake nods silently.
I hope he believes me.I look over at the clock, it’s 11:46pm. “I should get home, it’s late.”
“Oh yeah, sure. I’ll walk you home.” A twinge of disappointment hangs in his words.
“Blake, you don’t have to do that. It’s all of four houses away.”
“Which means I won’t have far to walk back. Besides, my mom would roll over in her grave if she knew I let a woman walk home alone in the dark.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”“Don’t be.” He puts a hand up. “It’s been a long time. But she raised me right, and I’m going to honor her by doing what I was taught. So, come on, I’ll walk you.”
The walk up the street is the most thrilling minute of my year. Blake walks close enough for our arms to brush every so often. At first, I think it’s because the sidewalk is too narrow, but after the fourth time, I realize it’s intentional. Or maybe I hope it is.
When we arrive at my house, I walk up the porch steps while Blake stands at the bottom. Before I put the key in the lock, I turn around. “Thank you. Tonight was fun. I definitely feel more relaxed.”
“Good, mission accomplished.” He shifts his stance, puts his hands in his pockets, and drops his head slightly. “Um, maybe we could do it again next weekend?”
“What?”
“Unless you have plans or something. I’ve never seen a Hallmark movie, remember?”
I’m shocked. He wants to do it again? So maybe itwasa date. “Well, um, sure. I mean, I don’t ever have plans, so I’d love to be your first time.”
Blake snorts out a chuckle, but swallows it and pinches his lips into a line like he’s fighting a smile.
My cheeks burn, probably glowing bright red. Good thing it’s dark. “I meant, your first Hallmark movie.”
Blake lets out the hearty laugh he was holding back, but it doesn’t feel aimed at me. More like with me, though I’m not laughing. “Sounds good, though I’m not sure how I’ll explain a Hallmark movie on my watch list.”
“What do you mean?”
“I share my account with a friend of mine, so when he sees what I’m watching, I’m sure I’ll hear all about it.”