Page 147 of Need You To Choose Me

“Miguel is home? And you’re here?”

A smile spreads over my friend’s face. “He insisted he’d be with Jackson so I could go to the book club, but he’s leaving early in the morning because they’re flying out for a game, so you can bet I’ll use every second we have left since he won’t be back until Thanksgiving.”

The mention of the upcoming holiday makes my smile fall. Last year, I spent Thanksgiving with Grams, but this year it’ll be just me all alone in that house. A strong kick against my ribs makes me suck in a breath.

Okay, maybe notcompletelyalone.

“You should come.” I look up to find Becky watching me. “The Fernandezes host the Thanksgiving party at their place. It’s family and friends. You should come.” Becky winks at me. “Bring your baby daddy with you. If you guys aren’t planning to celebrate alone?”

Alone? As in Blake, the boys, and me all together?

“No.” I shake my head. “We didn’t discuss it.”

“Think about it.”

Wasn’t it too early for something like that? Celebrating a holiday seemed so… big. That’s what families did. But we weren’t one. Not really. Right?

The image of the boys and Blake from the other day pops into my mind. All of us in PJs, cuddled in the living room, watching movies. It felt homey. It feltreal.

Could this really be our life, or was I just fooling myself?

“What are we reading next?” Mrs. Miller asks suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts. “I hope this one has more spice in it. Some of us appreciate creativity.”

Becky and I exchanged a look, and I’m not sure if we were more amused or disturbed by her comment.

After deciding on our next read, a steamy billionaire romance this time around, people start to gather their things and leave. I stay with Becky to help her clean up before closing the café.

“Do you need a ride home?” Becky asks as she locks the door.

“No, I’ll just wal?—”

The words die on my lips as I look up and see the tall figure leaning against the black truck on the other side of the street.

“Blake.” My heart is hammering against my rib cage, the loud echo dulling the noises around me.

He looks up, a big smile spreading over his face when he spots me. “Blondie.”

Fine lines crinkle around those intense gray eyes as they take me in from head to toe, making my skin burn.

“I guess not,” Becky chuckles. “I’ll talk to you later.”

Blake pushes from the truck and walks toward me, his gaze locked on mine.

“What are you doing here? Is everything okay? Are the boys?—”

Blake’s hands cup my cheeks, and his mouth lands on mine before I can finish. My fingers wrap around his wrists as his mouth sweeps over mine in gentle, teasing strokes before he breaks the kiss. I let out a soft moan in protest, not ready to let go, that has him chuckling.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“The boys are fine.” He skims his thumb over my lower lip, sending a shudder down my spine. “Mrs. Maxwell is with them. I saw your car in the driveway, and I didn’t want you to walk back home when it was dark. Did you have fun?”

“I—” I let out a shaky breath. “Yeah.”

“Good. Ready to leave?”

I nod silently, my tongue sliding over my lower lip. Blake lets his hand fall, those long fingers intertwining with mine as he leads me to his truck. He holds the door open for me and helps me inside before walking around and sliding into the driver’s seat.

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