Page 71 of Because of Blake
“Bye, Tom,” I say, eliciting a glance and a wave.
Michelle rolls her eyes. “Sorry, some big emergency or something at work, so I’ve lost him until it’s over.”
“Hey, Maggie, I’ll go get the car.” Blake extends his hand in front of me to shake Michelle’s. “It was really nice to meet you. Hopefully it isn’t the last.” His eyes shoot over her shoulder. “See you around, Tom.”
“It was nice to meet you too, Blake. Can’t wait to do it again,” Michelle says.
Blake bends down to kiss my temple. “I’ll be right back.”
“Mags, I have only one word for you,” Michelle says as she eyes Blake walking across the parking lot. “Dayum!”
“Really, Michelle?” I lay my face into my palm.
“What? That man is hot, hot, hot.”
“Your husband is right behind us.”
“So? I bet he’d agree with me.” Michelle turns and takes my hand. “But seriously, Mags, Blake is great. He’s just like you said. He’s charming, smart, funny, and he has it bad for you.”
I blush. Why, I don’t know, but Michelle’s words resonate with me at this moment. “Thanks.” I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into an extended hug.
In this second, Blake pulls up to the curb and rolls down the passenger window. “Hey, don’t get too handsy, Michelle. Maggie’s my girl.”
Michelle and I giggle, but hers halts as she lays eyes on Blake’s truck. “You didn’t tell me he drives a truck.” She pulls away to lock eyes with me, a strange look in hers. “Promise me one thing before you get into his vehicle.”
“Okay, what?” I draw out the syllables, my brow furrowing.
Michelle swallows hard. “Promise me you’ll pull into some secluded park or something on the way home, and hump like rabbits.”
“Oh, my God! Okay, bye, Michelle.” I all but push her away and climb into the truck.
“Please, Mags!” Michelle calls out, holding her hands up as if begging. “Please let me live vicariously through you!”
“I’ll call you later,” I say, and roll up the window.
“What was that about?” Blake asks as he drives away from the restaurant.
I bite the inside of my cheek, contemplating telling him, but I say, “Just Michelle being Michelle.”
The drive is mostly silent as I replay dinner. It ended up being much better than I expected. Michelle’s filter stayed mostly on, and if it weren’t for my near panic attack, I’d say dinner was a wild success.
Still, the idea of Blake replacing Charlie is a huge thing I need to come to terms with. If that’s even possible. Thinking about it now has my core temperature on the rise, so I tuck it away for future processing, and turn to Blake.
I drink him in as he drives, his handsome profile backlit by the setting sun. I take in everything about him and let my senses be soothed. The only bad thing about him driving is I can’t taste him. And I need to.
Michelle’s words echo in my head. The ones about Blake having it bad for me have etched themselves into my brain while her suggestion for a pit-stop floats around. As we top the hill into our neighborhood, I make a snap decision.
“Don’t take me home yet. Go to your house, but pull in the garage.”
“What? Why? Don’t you have to get home to the kids?” Blake’s tone is full of confusion, but laced with curiosity.
“It’s Friday, still early, and I have a sitter. I don’t have to be home right away.”
“Alright.” Blake does as he’s told, passing my house and pulling into his garage. “We’re here. Now what?”
“Close the garage door.”
He narrows his eyes, but reaches up and clicks the button. We stare at each other as the door lowers and the light dims.