Page 43 of Because of Blake
“Awesome. We can switch who chooses the movie every week and–”
“I promise no more Hallmark movies.”
A deep chuckle rumbles out of Blake. “Thanks. I’ll see you next Saturday. Or maybe out and about this week.” He takes a step, narrowing the gap between us. “Goodnight, Maggie.” He tips up on his toes to lean forward, and kisses me gently on the cheek, his scruff brushing my skin. The sensation of his lips on me shoots a wave of heat through my body. The kiss only lasts for a second or two, but it feels like eternity. As he backs away, the expression on his face is one of accomplishment, but his eyes burn with longing.
My heart is about to leap out of my chest. My whole body is on fire and my stomach is doing double gainers. I’m doing my best to control my breathing, but it’s attempting to stop completely. I manage to squeak out a quiet, “Goodnight.”
Once inside, I lean against my front door and put my hand to my cheek. I close my eyes and the tears fall happily. I can’t wait to tell Michelle all about this.
Chapter fourteen
“Soyouchickenedout?”
“I didn’t chicken out, Michelle.” I drum my fingers on my kitchen table as I tuck my phone between my shoulder and ear so I can take a drink of my lunchtime coffee. “There wasn’t a good time to ask.”
“Mags, you’re telling me you sat through a ninety-minute movie, and you never had a chance to say ‘Hey, Blake, want to go get sushi sometime?’”
A laugh escapes me. “Is that what you’re having for lunch?”
“Yeah, you jealous?”
“Extremely.” I sigh, rolling my eyes and letting them land on my plain, boring grilled cheese sandwich and carrot sticks. “The timing never felt right.”
“Then forget asking and jump his bones. You don’t have to worry about birth control anyway.”
I run my fingers along my hysterectomy scar. “Thanks for the reminder.”
“I’m just saying, you’re thinking too hard about this. Dive in. You might be surprised by what happens.”
“He did ask me for another movie night.” I drag a carrot stick through the hummus. “I’ll give myself one more chance to say something.”
Michelle groans. “Mags,thatwas your chance.”
“What was?” I ask as I snap the carrot between my teeth.
“Him asking you for another movie. You should have suggested having dinner or something beforehand.”
I smack my forehead with my palm. “Oh, my God. You’re right. Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Well, worse comes to worst, you can use it tomorrow when he walks you home again. Unless you find your spine and ask him earlier.”
Swallowing my carrot, I chew on my lower lip, furrowing my brow and wiggling my toes.
“What’s on your mind?” Michelle’s voice breaks the silence.
“Why didn’t he ask me to dinner?”
I hear Michelle’s breath bleed through the phone speaker. “Mags… I don’t know. Maybe he’s treading lightly to make sure you’re okay with it? You did turn him down, remember?”
“Of course I remember.” I push my plate of food away and pick up my coffee. “Or maybe he just wants to be friends.”
“I doubt it.”
“Why?”
“After everything you’ve told me, I’d bet a million bucks he’s into you. He probably wants to be sure so he doesn’t get hurt again.”
“I didn’t tell you… everything.”