Page 65 of Because of Blake

Chapter twenty

Thetwoweeksafterthe kids get home are filled with day trips to the museum, pool visits, and evenings with Blake. Surprisingly, even though he hasn’t spent the night once since the kids came home, I haven’t had a single nightmare. Just having him in my life must be enough to quell my nighttime anxieties. He may not sleep over, but he makes it a point to come for dinner every night. He says it’s important to be present, but I think he’s trying extra hard to impress my children.

The last Friday night before school starts, Blake comes to our house, his arms lined with grocery bags.

“What’s all this?” I ask as he steps over the threshold.

He greets me with a kiss. “Just a little surprise for our Friday night dinner.”

“You’re cooking?”

“I thought we’d try something different.” He winks at me and enters the kitchen. Setting the bags on the counter, Blake spots Sydney on the couch with her nose in a book. “Hey, Syd. What are you reading? Same one or something new?”

Sydney holds up the book. “New,” is all she says before lowering it to cover her face once more.

Blake looks at me, and I shrug. He grimaces, strides into the living room, and takes a seat next to Sydney. Their voices are low, but whatever Blake says must stir something because not two minutes into their conversation, Sydney’s laughing.

I watch as she points to the pages in her book, explaining it to Blake and he listens intently. His attention is hers and hers alone. My heart swells. He breaks through her barriers as easily as he does mine, and I couldn’t be more thankful for him.

After a few minutes of banter, Blake gives Sydney a nudge with his shoulder and returns to the kitchen. He gives me an incredulous look. “What?”

My cheeks hurt from the wide grin stretching them. “You’re amazing, that’s all.”

Blake says nothing, but gives me a peck on the cheek. He whips up a surprisingly delicious meal of pasta primavera with grilled chicken on the side, salad, and he brought cheesecake for dessert. My hero.

After dinner, the kids disappear to their respective hideaways, leaving me and Blake on the deck to finish the bottle of wine we opened. The sky glows with a gradient of pinks, oranges, and reds as the setting sun kisses the mountains, and the breeze tickles my skin as it keeps the August heat at bay.

Blake’s chair is right next to mine, his arm around my shoulders, fingers lightly brushing the skin of my bicep. He tilts his head down and whispers, “So, the kids are gone. Want to make out?”

“I’d love to, but–”

He sighs and his fingers stop, hanging limp against my arm. “I know. I wouldn’t want them catching us either, but I miss you, Maggie. It’s only been two weeks, but it’s beentwoweeks. I miss having you in my arms at night, I miss waking up to you in the morning.” He turns his head so his lips are pressed to my ear. “I miss hearing you scream my name when I’m inside you.”

A shiver goes up my spine, my panties instantly soaking. “I miss you, too.”

“Any chance we could get a night together?”

I exhale, contemplating. Michelle would be happy to help, I’m sure, but now’s not the time. “They just got back from camp. I’d hate to send them to a sleepover so soon. Plus, school starts next week, and they’ll need time to get back into the routine.” I feel Blake’s posture slump against me. “But your house is close, and the kids are old enough to handle being on their own for a bit. How about this? I’ll come down to your place for dinner tomorrow night. I can’t spend the night, but I can stay for a couple hours, at least.”

His eyes light up. “Really? Fantastic.”

“Then, after a few weeks of school, when the kids and I get back into our routine, I’ll see about them maybe having sleepovers with friends one weekend and we can have a night together.”

“I’ll take whatever I can get,” he says with an enthusiastic kiss to my temple.

“Syd! I’m leaving!” I call out from the front door. I’ve gone over the rules with Sydney several times since telling her and Dylan I’m going to Blake’s for dinner. I’m sure she knows them, but I have to do my due diligence in making sure she remembers them.

“Okay, Mom, sheesh,” Sydney says, stomping down the stairs.

“Dylan is downstairs. I have my phone and you have Blake’s number too, right?”

Sydney nods, and I can tell she’s fighting an eye roll.

“Good. Remember, lock the door after I leave, no friends over, no using the stove–”

“Mom, I know. I’m thirteen, for crying out loud.”

I point my finger at her, narrowing my eyes. “Not yet, you’re not. Still have a few more weeks.”