Mel shook her head. “No. You’re right. Ignoring it sure hasn’t helped.”
They settled into silence. How long had it been since she sat there with another adult at her kitchen table, sharing a conversation like this one? It felt like forever. And it had definitely been forever since she talked with a man like this.
Her gaze settled on Blake’s mouth for a moment, and her heart gave a little kick.
“I guess I should be going,” he said, dragging her attention away from the fullness of his lips.
“Right. Yeah, you probably have plans. Sometimes I forget not everyone spends their evenings wrangling three kids and praying for the energy to make it to bedtime.” She chuckled and stood.
Blake followed, grabbing his leather jacket from the back of his chair. “Are you going to be okay?”
“I bet when you signed up for this, you didn’t think you’d be playing therapist, too.” She waved him away, lightheartedly. “Of course. Why would I not be okay?”
His eyes lingered on her face, as if trying to discern whether she was telling the truth. So she turned and headed for the door because the way he looked at her made it seem like he cared, and she knew he couldn’t possibly. No point in allowing him to see too much.
Opening the door, she leaned against the doorframe and watched him as he paused, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans, and maybe it was wishful thinking, but the way he hovered almost made it seem like he didn’t want to leave, like maybe he wanted to stay. A stupid thought. Of course he didn’t want to stay. He had a soon-to-be-fiancé waiting for him. One who probably had perky breasts, tight abs, smooth skin, and no stretch marks. One that could carry a conversation that didn’t revolve around three four-year-olds.
“Uh, well, goodnight,” she said.
Mel offered him a genuine smile and pressed herself further into the doorframe until he tore his eyes from her.
“Goodnight,” he murmured, then hurried down the hall.
Once he was out of sight, she exhaled and closed the door.
Get a grip, Mel. He’s your manny.
MEL
EVERY DAY MEL CAME home, the atmosphere was the same as it was on Monday. Her apartment was no longer a disaster zone. She no longer paused outside her door, wondering what catastrophe she’d find. Instead, a new rhythm had developed in her tiny apartment. Together, over the course of a couple days, she and Blake had come up with a reward system that seemed to be working like a charm. Mel wasn’t sure why she’d waited so long to make a change, but with each passing day, her newfound routine with the kids and discipline became a little easier.
Maybe she’d just needed the push, a helping hand. Regardless, it was a breath of fresh air, a huge relief.
Thursday was no different as she came home to Blake and the triplets playing a game of Duck, Duck, Goose in the living room, the coffee table pushed aside for more room to run.
She settled her briefcase just inside the door and crossed her arms, watching as they played, amazed that her presence had gone unnoticed by the kids. Blake, however, offered her a quick wink, which made her stomach swoop, then hopped to his feet and chased Kinsley around their little circle.
Once Kinsley plopped back down without getting tagged, the kids finally noticed her, and she sat down with them and played for a few minutes before Blake had to leave. It wasn’t until she followed him to the door that she realized he seemed to be stalling for time.
Her stomach squeezed with the fear that something was wrong. “Is everything okay?” she asked, trying not to fidget.
Blake loosed a breath and shoved a hand through his hair. “Yeah. But there was something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” He squinted as if nervous to ask.
Intrigued, she said, “Sure. What is it?”
“There’s this family event Saturday afternoon that’s supposed be really fun for kids. It’s all free. They’re doing sort of an inside carnival or something. They’ll have face painting, food, balloon animals, and games. I know it’s your weekend, but . . .”
Mel swallowed, and her pulse thumped. Was he asking her on a date?
No. He couldn’t be. That would be crazy. He had a girlfriend, one he was clearly devoted to, considering his presence there.
Still, her insides turned to molten rock as she tucked her hair behind her ears and murmured, “Yeah, okay. we’ll come.” She gave a little shrug, then stared at the ground, hoping for clarity on the context of their outing.
“Really?” He flashed her a wide smile that turned her insides to mush. “That would be awesome. Jen, my girlfriend, and her parents are hosting it. It’s kind of an annual thing they do, and they told me I should invite you.”
Mel’s hopes sunk, and she tried her best to keep the heat of embarrassment from her cheeks. Of course, it wasn’t a date or even a request as a friend. It was business, a way to verify with his girlfriend’s family that he actually followed through with their ultimatum and was doing a great job.
“Just tell me when and where,” Mel said, mustering a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, even while scolding herself for being an idiot.