I could feel the shock that must have been all over my face. “Coffee? Um, we have coffee here, and I have Ava to take care of. I just… I don’t know,” I stammered.
“That’s ok.” His head dropped in defeat. “It was just an idea. Maybe another time.” He turned to leave, but Donna came scurrying into the room.
“I’ll watch Ava for you. You should go,” she urged and gave me a look that said I better listen.
“Are you sure?” My voice shook.
“’Course I’m sure.” She pointed to my coat. “Bundle up. It’s cold out.”
I glanced between Blake and Donna. “If you’re sure it’s ok.”
“It’s fine,” Donna insisted. She moved closer and whispered in my ear. “It’s just coffee. It’s a good place to start. Trust your instincts. Think about what we’ve discussed in group.”
“Right.” I nodded. She was right. It was JUST coffee. I reached for my coat on the hook by the door, but Blake was faster. He held it out for me to slip into, and then opened the door and held it for me. I stood there stiff for a moment as it all sank in. I’d never had someone so chivalrous before. Warren usually just plowed ahead and left me to fend for myself.
It took a minute to move, and Blake looked perplexed as he watched me. “I won’t keep her out late.” He smiled at Donna, and then closed the door behind us. We walked down the steps and turned right on the sidewalk. The sun was setting, and the sky was a beautiful shade of purple. Winter was coming fast, and the air had a bite to it. I pulled my coat tighter as I shivered against the breeze.
“I’m sorry for just showing up like that.” Blake smiled softly as he glanced over at me. “I know I probably caught you by surprise, but I thought you might need a friend.” He shrugged.
“A friend?” I glanced up at him and then back at my feet.
“Yeah. I mean, I know you have all the girls, but some things you need a guy’s perspective on, ya know?” He laughed lightly. “I know you’re not ready for more, Brooke.” His voice trailed off as we approached a crosswalk. It was as if he could read my mind. I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t sure I ever would be.
“Thanks.” I offered a sad smile. “For understanding. I think something might be wrong with me.”
“Wrong? Like what?” He reached for my hand as the light turned green and we stepped out on to the street to cross.
“I didn’t see the signs. I thought he was a good guy. I was so wrong.” I sighed.
“Guys like him are good at hiding it. At first, they don’t think there’s anything wrong with them, and when they figure out there is, they learn to hide it. I promise you that there is nothing wrong with you. He taught you to hide it too. He used that fear you had to force you into submission.”
“Donna told us in group that we have to learn to take chances. I just don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for that. I know that I’m not ready now,” I lamented. We’d reached the coffee shop at this point, and Blake held the door open as we stepped into the warmth. This was the same place where I’d run into Cal when I’d seen Warren outside. That was the last time I’d seen him, but I’d be a fool to think that it wouldn’t happen again.
As we made our way to the counter, Blake stepped behind me. “I understand, Brooke. I do. I don’t want to push you into anything you’re not ready for. I just want to be your friend.”
My shoulders relaxed as a calm feeling began to settle over me. It was something about Blake that did this. He didn’t have to do or say anything. When we were near each other, I just felt safe. It was an odd feeling for me, and something I couldn’t explain. As the line moved up, we stood there not speaking. By the time we reached the counter, I knew what I wanted.
“Caramel swirl with cream.” I glanced back at Blake.
“House blend, black.” He smiled.
“Eight seventy-five.” The barista pulled two cups out and marked our order on the side. Blake paid, and then we moved to the end of the counter to wait.
“How do you drink black coffee?” I made a yuck face.
“I could ask you the same thing about the sweet stuff.” His face twisted and I couldn’t help but laugh. It was simple, but that’s what I needed it to be. I needed the small things to work before the big ones ever could. Things like coffee and conversation were a big step for me. I wanted to believe that this could go somewhere, but I wasn’t ready for that. The fact that Blake understood this made it so much easier.
“Wanna grab a seat over there?” He motioned to some small tables in the back corner.
“Sure.” I turned and let him lead us. When we reached the table closest to the corner, Blake pulled out a chair for me. “Thank you.” I set my coffee on the table and waited for him to sit across from me.
He scanned the coffee shop before sitting, and shrugged out of his coat. Other than when he helped me move, I’d never seen Blake not in doctor gear. Now, it was different. He sat there in a burgundy sweater with a light blue shirt peeking out of the collar. The sleeves were rolled slightly, and he was wearing navy pants. His sandy hair was tousled from his hands running through it. If I wasn’t so messed up, I might have a hard time staying away from him. His blue
