Page 25 of State of Grace

“Yes, but then I wouldn’t have met my step count.”

“Fair point.” Nodding a few times, Alexis picked up a glass and gestured to Blake. “You want anything? It’s been pretty slow around here all day, so I’d appreciate actually doing my job to earn my paycheck.”

“I’ll take a Jack and Coke, please.”

“Coming up.” As Alexis started to prepare the drink, Blake watched her. She was stunning with minimal makeup, and for a fleeting moment, Blake considered telling her that. Blake wasn’t too proud to admit that she’d love to see the adorably nervous Alexis again. But instead, she kept quiet as Alexis sat the drink down in front of her. “Here you go.”

“Thanks, Alexis.” Blake picked up the drink and let the liquid flow down her throat. It was easily one of the best-mixed drinks she’d ever had, and she hummed her approval of it. “Damn, this is a perfect drink.”

“That’s why Isla pays me with the big bucks.” Alexis turned around with a wink and took a reusable water bottle out of the small fridge before leaning her hip on the counter to face Blake. “So, how are things going with you and Isla? Things seemed to be going well the other night at dinner.”

“Yeah, things are good. She’s good. She’s great, actually.” Blake took another drink. “And Vera’s fantastic, and I like their kids. I’m hoping to be able to get to know Mason better. I had ice cream with her and Mom the other day, but that’s all I’ve seen of her since I’ve been here.”

“Mason’s hilarious.” Alexis laughed to herself. “She hangs out with our group of friends sometimes. Her dry wit kills me in the absolute best ways.”

“She seems like she could be hilarious.”

“She is. And she’s so smart. Did you know she’s working on her doctorate?”

“I did. Mom’s proud about that.” Blake sadly smiled as she wondered if her mother was proud of her. Her accomplishments were dismal compared to Mason’s, after all. “So, do you have any siblings?”

“Three. All older, all annoying. I’m not close to any of them.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

Resting her head in her hand, Blake smiled sadly at Alexis, who returned the smile. “Things would have been so different if I’d grown up with Isla, you know? I’d have not one but two moms and some pretty great siblings, although, like yourself, they have some opinions on the show.” Blake winked to let her know she was teasing.

“True,” she tilted her head from one side to the other, “but it’s a slippery slope when you spend too much time thinking about how things could have been. It’s better to appreciate the life you’ve had and all the battles you’ve had to fight and overcome to have it.”

“God, you have a way with words,” Blake said dreamily. “No wonder you’re a writer.”

“I’m just saying.” Alexis shrugged, and Blake noticed how she didn’t look nervous at all.

Blake nodded as she mulled over what Alexis had said. She had a point; there was no way to know how her or Isla’s lives would have been if her dad had never taken her. There were only scenarios Blake could play out in her imagination.

She watched as Alexis took a sip from her water bottle before screwing the cap back on and sitting it on the counter. Alexis looked uneasy. Blake wondered what had happened in her past that had given her such perspective at a young age. Instead of wondering, Blake decided simply to ask.

“How’d you gain that perspective?”

“Let’s say that life hasn’t been easy for me.” Alexis turned her back to her with a sad smile and walked over to the other side of the bar. She kept her back to her as Blake watched her wipe a tear from her eye. Blake wanted to kick herself for asking such a personal question to someone she barely knew, but she couldn’t take it back now.

“Alexis, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s ok.” Turning back around with a smile on her face, Alexis prepared Blake another drink. She mixed it quickly before setting it in front of her and crossing her arms over her stomach. “You’re not running home, are you?”

“Not unless the DeLorean shows up mysteriously.”

“Well, my Civic isn’t nearly that cool, but I’m off in a few if you want me to drive you home. I owe you for the other night. And besides,” the playful smirk of Alexis’s lips made Blake’s heart skip a beat, “I’d hate to find out on TMZ that someone murdered you in small-town America.”

“Oh, my god. I had that same thought yesterday when I was running the trails at Isla’s.” The two laughed together, and Blake loved the way their laughter mixed together. “I swear, she had those signs up along the trail, but I think they’re pointing in different directions with shit written on them.”

“You do know that is exactly what she has done, right?” Alexis raised an eyebrow at her. “Vera was on to her to make signs because she kept getting lost, so Isla randomly put up signs to get Vera to shut up, but they’re not accurate at all.”

“Holy shit,” Blake slapped her hand on the counter as her laugh deepened. “Oh, my god. That is so something I would do. I guess the apple doesn’t fall that far from the tree.”

“Oh, believe me, they don’t.” Alexis’s face softened and went dreamy. “Harper has taught me that. Sometimes she says something, and I’m like, ‘oh my god, I gave birth to my mini-me.’”

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