Page 56 of Attached At Heart
“Delaney.”
I should have kept walking but instead turned on my heel. Faced him again. Watched how his gaze flicked over me like he was deciding his fashion advice, determining the final verdict.
“You want to know what I think about that dress?” he finally asked, his voice hoarse, and I wondered if maybe this was a line we shouldn’t have crossed in our friendship. He might have offered to judge my travel outfits, but perhaps this one in particular was making him feel weird.
“You don’t have to tell me. I didn’t mean to push it or make you feel uncomfortable.” I bit down on my lip with a shrug. “I bought it for Ophelia’s bachelorette party, but I never got to wearit. I thought it might be a good option for the trip, but maybe not.”
“You’re not making me uncomfortable,” he said, and based on his earnest expression, I was inclined to believe him. “Not in the way—” He paused and looked away for a second before finishing. “I just wasn’t sure if you really wanted my…honest thoughts.”
“I do,” I insisted.
Blake nodded as he took in that information. He ran a hand down his face before piercing me with a gaze that told me whatever his next words were, he meant them. But then he dropped his head, staring at some spot on the floor as he spoke.
“If I were some random guy, and you were some random girl, and I saw you wearing that in a bar, I’d ask for your number in a heartbeat. And then I wouldn’t let you out of my sight for the rest of the fucking night. I’d chase off other men when you weren’t looking, and then I’d insist on walking you home, holding my breath when we got to your door and hoping to God you’d invite me in. And if you did, I’d?—”
He bit down on whatever the next words were going to be and looked up. I felt that look, that heated stare, that slight parting of his lips as words went unsaid, disappearing from his tongue. Whatever it was, whatever it meant, I felt it right down into my very being. It was terrifying. Exhilarating. I loved it because it felt good, but I hated it because I didn’t know why.
“Yeah, Lane. I’d ask for your number. I like the dress, okay? But it might, uh, cause some problems.”
“Because men are just going to start throwing themselves at me?” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. Now he was definitely taking it too far.
Blake remained quiet for a moment. “Something like that, yeah.”
“Sounds like men are the problem, not my dress.”
His lips finally cracked a smile again, like he’d snapped out of something. He leaned back onto the couch again, raising his hands in defeat.
“Men are most decidedly the problem, you’re right.”
I lifted my brows. “Blake Bennett London onceagaintelling me that I’m right? Wow.”
“I heard that’s the key to having a happy marriage,” he said, that teasing glint returning to his eyes. “And I’m pretty committed to that.” He checked his watch. “You should finish up. We have a long day tomorrow.”
I nodded and turned to head back to my room. I nearly made it inside when Blake called after me.
“So, do you think you’re going to pack it?”
I paused, and I knew my gut reaction was to say yes. Because I couldn’t get that feeling out of my chest, the one I felt when Blake had lifted his gaze and said he’d ask for my number.
But for that reason, maybe he was right.
Perhaps it could cause problems.
“It’ll be a surprise!” I called back to him, deciding to keep my options open.
As I dropped to the ground to sort out the mess I needed to fit into a suitcase, I heard a soft curse leave Blake’s mouth, followed by a grumbled, “Great.”
Maybe he was mumbling about his podcast.
Maybe not.
Maybe I really didn’t want to know.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
blake
I’D BEEN SO CONFIDENT that taking Delaney on this honeymoon was the right move…until last night.
