Page 26 of State of Grace

Blake thought back to the dinner at the pizza place a few nights before. Harper had been adorable and was more well-behaved than Blake would have expected from a five-year-old. She loved the way Harper and Alexis were so in sync with each other, and it sent a pang of sadness through her body. They had what she wished she had been able to have with Isla.

“She does indeed look like a mini-you.”

“And acts like me too, for better or worse.”

“I bet it’s more better than worse.” She watched as Alexis’s shy smile caused adorable dimples to form. Blake hadn’t noticed them the other night, and it only increased how much Blake liked her. Swallowing hard, Blake picked up her drink and took a long sip. “Harper seems like a great kid.”

“She is.” Alexis sighed dreamily. “She's my world. She’s my reason for living.”

Blake knew better than to ask Alexis what she meant. If Alexis wanted Blake to know, she would tell her. Instead, Blake simply smiled at her and nodded. She finished off her second drink and set the empty glass down by the other one.

“So, you mentioned you’re getting off soon.”

“Yup, at eight.” Alexis looked at her watch. “Which is right now.”

“Were you serious about the ride home?”

“Absolutely,” she nodded firmly. “I couldn’t have it on my conscience that I let the gorgeous and talented Blake Calloway walk home alone in the fading sunlight after I’d liquored her up. I would be the first suspect in your disappearance or murder, and honestly, I don’t look good in orange.”

“Oh, I doubt that.” Blake was oddly satisfied her compliment had made Alexis blush once again. Alexis rubbed the back of her neck as she looked away from Blake for a moment before her green eyes found hers once more.

“I’m going to go grab my stuff and let Emily know I’m leaving.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Great.” She didn’t think that Alexis’s smile could get any more prominent, and as she watched her disappear through the swinging kitchen door, Blake knew there was a smile equally as big on her own face.

Chapter 10

I’m going to be a little late. Going to drive Blake home. Please...no comments.

Alexis sent off the text to Sophia as she headed out the back door with Blake trailing behind her. They walked over to her car, and Alexis paused before she got into the driver’s seat.. Over the hood of the car, she watched as Blake slipped into the blue vehicle. She took a long, slow breath in and held it for a moment, resting her hand on the hood of the car, buying time, and trying to calm her nerves.

Blake was only a person. An adorable person in her running attire and Yankees baseball cap. A person whom Alexis was trying not to be interested in, but curiosity was getting the best of her. Alexis kept telling her mind that Blake was just a person. She’d driven people home before. It should be no different with Blake.

Except it was.

And it had nothing to do with the fact that Blake was a famous actress.

No, it had everything to do with the fact that Alexis had never in her life been more at ease with someone than she had with Blake at the bar. Their banter had been so easy that Alexis hadn’t even felt nervous talking to her.

There were very few people Alexis let into her life. Fewer she’d even consider letting in without years of knowing each other. She was content with her few close friends and didn’t feel the need to add to those numbers. And she definitely didn’t feel like dating anyone. She lacked the time and strength to go through that again. Alexis wasn’t proud that she had walls higher than skyscrapers around her heart, but that’s what kept her safe. That’s what kept Harper safe, and that was all that mattered.

“Hey.” Blake waved her hand over the hood of the car. “Are you getting in, or do I need to pop the floorboard out and Fred Flintstone my way home?”

“Sorry.” Alexis quickly scrambled into the car and buckled her seatbelt. For a moment, her mind went entirely blank on what to do next. It was a keyless car, so she frantically hit the red flashing Start Stop button to no avail.

“To start engine, brake, and push start,” Blake leaned closer to Alexis as she read the flashing notification on her dashboard. With Blake’s warm breath on her neck, it took every ounce of self-control she had not to turn and kiss her.

“Oh my god.” Alexis covered her face with her hands and shook her head. When Blake laughed, Alexis uncovered her face and laughed along with her. “I promise I’m not always such an idiot.”

“I don’t think you’re an idiot.”

“I’ve had this car for four years.” Starting the car the correct way, Alexis backed out of the parking spot and headed toward Isla’s farm. Her phone connected to the Bluetooth, and Taylor Swift played loudly from the speakers as Alexis frantically turned it down.

“Are you a Swiftie?” Blake teased as Alexis shot a look over to her. Blake’s blue eyes were dancing with amusement, and Alexis feigned hurt as she clutched her heart.

“Taylor Alison Swift is one of the greatest songwriters of our generation.”

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