Page 92 of Because of Blake
I nod. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
“No. I mean it.” I turn my gaze to meet his. “Thank you for all of this. Not only my birthday, but including the kids. It means a lot to me.”
“Maggie, they’re yourkids. Why wouldn’t I include them?”
“I kind of thought you’d be vying for another kid-free night.”
Blake sighs. “While I do love those, and I’d love more of them,” –I glance away, but he puts his knuckle under my chin, turning my head back to look at him– “all I want is to spend time with you. And I know that means the kids, too. They arethe mostimportant people in your life, and I’m happy to share you with them. I knew that when I signed on to date you.” He pulls my chin up and brushes his lips against mine.
“Thank you,” I whisper against his mouth.
He deepens the kiss, and I wish he had asked for another kid-free night when Dylan runs up and tugs on Blake’s arm. “Mr. Blake! This is so much fun!”
Blake presses his lips into a line, but flips his frown upside down as he turns to Dylan. “I’m glad you like it, Buddy.”
Dylan turns his wide, excited eyes on me. “Can we go to one of these in California?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. I’ll have to check, but if they have one close to the hotel, we can try to go.”
“Woohoo!” Dylan bounces away again.
My chuckle is cut short when I turn to find a confused look on Blake’s face. “What?”
“California? What’s Dylan talking about?”
Now it’s my turn to be confused. “The trip next week for spring break. I’m taking the kids to California, remember?”
Blake shakes his head slowly. “This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“What? No. Blake, I’m sure I told you.”
“Maggie, if you had told me, don’t you think I’d have tried to invite myself along?”
I lift my gaze to the ceiling, my eyes darting back and forth. He’s right. He absolutely would’ve invited himself to go with us.Shit.“I’m so sorry, Blake. I can’t believe I forgot.” I drop my head and rub my temple. “Maybe I thought about telling you and then it slipped my mind with all the craziness of the last few weeks. I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
“Maggie, Maggie. It’s okay. I’m not dying over it.” He leans down and kisses me again. “Just next time, remember to tell me so I don’t call the police when you don’t answer your door.”
“Promise.”
Chapter twenty-eight
Twodaysofbeingin California and I’m ready to go home. The kids and I have been going nonstop; sightseeing, eating, and hardly sleeping has taken its toll.
On day three I talk the kids into going to the hotel’s indoor pool. Dylan loves to swim so he was an easy sell, and Sydney will take any chance to sit and read. Me? I’m happy to park my butt in a lawn chair and relax. Which I’m doing, until Sydney interrupts me.
“Mom, are you okay?”
“I’m great, sweetheart. Why?”
“You just… You seem happy.”
I chuckle. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“No, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“Then what did you mean?” I sit up so she and I are eye level.