Page 97 of Always Been Yours

Knowing she’s right, I turn around and grab my ringing phone. My sister’s name is flashing across the screen. “Hello? Blake? What’s up?”

“Hey, I’m so sorry. I know you went out last night, but I have to drop Stella and Daisy off.”

I sit up at the panic in her voice. “That’s fine. What’s going on?”

“Adrian’s mom fell while she was watering the plants in her yard. Will already called the ambulance. Cami’s been admitted but… it’s bad, Grady. She’s probably going to need surgery.”

“How’s Adrian doing?”

“He’s worried. It’s the same hip she fell on last year. She can’t put it off anymore. I’m sorry about the change of pl–”

“Blake,” I cut her off in my big brother voice, “don’t you dare apologize. You and Adrian need to be there with them. Get your kids’ overnight bags ready and I’ll pick up all five of them. I’ll need to borrow your Suburban for the night to fit all of them.”

“That’s fine, we can take Adrian’s car.” I can hear her growing panic. “Are you sure? I can take my three with me.”

“No. You both should be there with no distractions. I’ll take them to the aquarium, and you can pick them up from Mom’s tomorrow.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“No problem. Blake, everything is going to be okay. Give me forty-five minutes and I’ll be at your house.”

We hang up with the promise to see each other soon. Vivi’s starting to slide off the bed, still naked, as she texts on her phone.

“Who are you texting?” She’s crazy if she thinks I’m going to let her take an Uber home after the last twenty-four hours.

“I’m seeing if Lexi’s awake.” She looks up and gives me a shy smile. “I figured it would be less awkward than any of my siblings coming to get me.”

“No one is coming to get you. I’m taking you home.” I turn toward my drawers and pull out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt for her. I throw them onto the bed before turning back to grab some clothes of my own. “Wouldn’t Lexi be sleeping or doing her own trek home today?”

She pulls the shirt on and shakes her head. “Lexi never takes brings anyone to her birthday or any of our birthdays. Those days are special, you know? If she’s seeing someone for at least a month around that time, then it’s different. But never randoms.”

I nod my head, only half-listening as she slips my sweats up her legs, all the way to her bare pussy. No bra, no panties. Just her body in my clothes. She’s shorter than I am with soft curves. My clothes fit her for the most part, but they hug a little tight on some of my favorite places. I watch her walk to the mirror near my closet. She pulls the sweats up near her belly button before tying them in place. She grabs the hem of the shirt next, pulling it taut and intoa knot where the sweats fall on her waist. After adjusting the shirt, she turns back toward me and smiles.

My old pair of sweats and ASU baseball tee have never looked so goddamn good.

“You can finish getting ready while I shower. Come on.” I walk into the bathroom, Vivi tentatively following behind me. I grab her hand and lead her to the sink. I give her a kiss on the temple before I turn the shower on. Slipping out of my briefs, I tell her, “I’ll be quick. We can stop at The Loop for something you can take home. I promised you breakfast.”

She nods, giving me a beaming smile. I watch her turn toward the sink, grab her toothbrush from where she set it next to mine last night, and start her morning routine. It’s all very domestic and intimate in a way I’ve never felt. Not even in my marriage. Everything is better with her than it ever would be with anyone else.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Grady

This morning I woke up, dropped all five of the kids off with my parents, and picked Vivi up so we could talk to some of the local business owners.

In only a couple short hours, we received more than a dozen items to raffle off throughout the evening, as well as different donations. All the restaurants are donating food for the concession stands, and Calypso had already agreed to baking the cakes for the cake walk.

It’s also our firstrealdate. Because that’s what Vivi and I are doing now—dating. She said it herself yesterday morning. She more so said that she’s glad we didn’t date when we were younger and that she likes us now. I’m counting it.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the entire night and morning with her but that conversation, when she opened herself up to me, was my favorite.

I brought her to a little Italian spot just outside of Amada Beach, a little closer to Aurora Hills. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s been here before, but I didn’t want anyone disturbing us throughout the meal. And despite the fact that she went to dinner with me at ClearHorizons, I know she likes to pretend the rumor mill hasn’t started around town.

She’s wearing a white romper that ties around her waist and a deep V cut at her chest. Knowing she likes to wear her cute little outfits, that I absolutely adore, I wore a pair of green chino pants with a white and tan striped short-sleeved button down, putting a little more effort in what’s normal for a walk around town and lunch. Maybe I’m completely biased, but I think we look really freaking great together.

She’s giving me a sultry look that I can’t totally decipher. Of course, it just drives me even more wild.

There is one thing that has been on my mind, but I’ve been worried that maybe I’ll push her too far. Or that after Friday night, it will be redundant. But looking at her right now, I can’t keep my mouth shut.

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