“But I’m not with anyone.” I shivered again.
“I know that, but I think you should be. You should be with someone who treats you like a queen. You need a man to cook for you; to rub your feet after a long day; to help with Ava; to tell you how beautiful you are when you first wake up and then again before you fall asleep. You need a man who will love you the way a man is supposed to love a woman. You deserve it, and I just want you to know that.” He stepped around me, putting himself between me and the street. Without even asking, he reached down and took my hand in his. He started walking, and I followed without question. I don’t know why, but I always feel safe with Blake.
“What does all that mean?” I panted slightly. I was out of breath from the pace he was keeping. “What you said back there. What does that mean?”
We reached the front lawn of the house and stopped. I yanked lightly on his hand until he looked at me. I lifted my chin, silently telling him to answer me. His lips pressed together fighting to hold back the words, but I don’t think he could have no matter how hard he tried. “It means, I know you need friends right now. I know that you’re not ready, but when you are… I’m here. I want to be that man, Brooke. I wanna cook for you. I wanna snuggle on the couch in front of a fire with snow outside. I want to help with Ava. I’ve been holding it in for weeks because I’m afraid of what telling you all this is going to do to us, but I’m ready to take a chance. If I can ask you to take a leap of faith with me, then I should be able to do the same.” He stepped back and smiled a boyish smile. “I want you to think about all of this. Take as long as you need, and when you’re ready for it, I’ll be there. In the meantime, we’re gonna keep getting coffee and talking.”
Just as I was about to say something, the door opened. “Ava just woke up,” Lauren blurted out and then slapped her hand over her mouth when she realized she’d interrupted. “Sorry,” she murmured.
“It’s ok.” Blake smiled as he started to walk backwards. “I have to get to work anyway. Think about what I said.” He waved and then turned and left.
I stood there for a few moments, just watching his back as he grew smaller and smaller. I’d never met a man like him. Every time we’ve met up, he’s given me a little piece of myself back. He’s taught me that I am worthy of attention and affection. I just needed to decide if I was ready.
Chapter 14
Brooke
Blake has kept his word. He’s come by a few times over the last week for coffee outings. I can’t call them dates because we’re just friends, but I honestly don’t know how a date with him would be different. He holds doors for me, pulls out my chair, and always pays. I’ve thought about what he said on the front lawn several thousand times over these last few days, but today I’ve been too busy.
Today is Thanksgiving, and Donna has had us all up preparing for our feast since a little after sunrise. I woke to her humming in the kitchen as she prepped the turkey. Amy has been cleaning and straightening the house, and Lauren already had stuffing made, and was starting on the cranberries last I checked.
“Can you help me get this box down?” Amy motioned to a large box on the top shelf in the hall closet. “I think the good napkins and tablecloth are in there.”
“Sure.” I smiled as I met her at the door. Amy was petite, and this was a tall shelf. I could barely reach it when I stood on my tiptoes. “You’d think we were expecting the queen.” I laughed as the box slowly slid into my hands. “All this for just us.” I shrugged. Three of the other girls at the house had to work, so there was just going to be the four of us for lunch. Becky, Carol, and Megan would have to reheat plates when they got home.
“Donna didn’t tell you?” Amy smirked. “We have guests coming today. She invited some friends from the hospital.” Amy’s voice said she wasn’t telling me the entire truth. She grinned as she took the box from me and scurried down the hallway.
“Wait, what?” I skipped off after her. “Who from the hospital?” Just as Amy set the box on the table, Ava let out a yelp. She’d been napping for a while, so I knew it was bound to happen.
“Saved by the baby.” Amy giggled as I sighed and turned to head toward my room.
“I’ll be back,” I warned before slipping away to check on my daughter. ooooooooo
The morning went by rather quickly. It was a beautiful fall day. Cold, but sunny with a bright blue sky. It was a welcome sight after all the gray gloomy days we’d had earlier in the week.
I was sitting on the couch talking to Ava when there was a knock at the door. “I’ll be right back.” I smiled at her as I placed her in her bouncy chair on the floor. I clicked a few buttons to turn on the music, and then got up to answer the door. “Who is it?” I called.
“It’s Veronica.” Roni’s voice sounded from the other side. I opened the door happily. I hadn’t seen or heard from Roni in over a
