Page 63 of State of Grace

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Pulling out of Alexis’s embrace, Blake leaned onto the counter and crossed her arms. Alexis started cleaning up the kitchen, but Blake knew she had her attention, and she decided she should open up to her. “So, you know Salem called yesterday. Well, she had news on the show.”

“Oh?” Alexis’s high-pitched voice was like a dagger to Blake’s heart. She tried not to overthink when Alexis turned her back toward her, seeming very focused on cleaning the counter with a damp rag.

“She said there’s a studio that may be interested in picking up the show as either one more season or a movie to wrap things up.” When Alexis didn’t look back at her, Blake continued. “She also sent me a script for a new movie. That’s the one with the mom character I was talking about last night, and can I say how sorry I am that I ever insinuated that being a mom was a bad thing.”

“It’s ok.” Alexis shrugged but still didn’t turn to face her. “You were drunk, and I get it. Being a mom isn’t for everyone.”

“I know that, but here’s the thing.” Taking a few steps toward her, Blake took Alexis’s hand and waited until she turned to look at her. Blake slowly rubbed small circles into the back of her hand. “I want that. Someday down the road, I want to be a mom. I told you that.”

“I know, but,” she looked uncomfortable and pulled her hand from Blake’s. “I know that sometimes people can say things because they think the person they’re with wants to hear them, and then they realize that maybe they didn’t mean what they said.”

“But I meant what I said. I do want kids. I want to be a mom. I should have stayed home last night and not come to the bar.” Blake was frustrated. Instead of fixing things between her and Alexis, she only made things significantly worse. “I’m sorry. I’m doing this all wrong.”

“You’re upset. It’s ok.”

“It’s not ok.” Letting out a sigh, she took hold of Alexis’s hand once more. “I didn’t mean to start the day off with an argument, especially after you’ve been so sweet and made me breakfast.”

“Well, you have to eat.” Shyly, Alexis smiled up at her. Her eyes still held a hint of discomfort, but it seemed less than before. “And you did tell me that pancakes were your hangover food.”

“You listen very well.” Pulling Alexis toward her, she kissed her forehead. “You must really like me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself, Blake Calloway.” Another boop on the nose, and the tension between them seemed to fade. “Being a mom is great. I hope that one day, you find that out firsthand.”

“I hope so too. It sounds like a great life.” Blake ran her hand slowly under Alexis’s chin and behind her neck. Their lips met softly, dreamlike, before Alexis pulled away.

“So, what does this mean? Are you going back to Vancouver? When do they start filming again? What about the movie? Do you have to move somewhere else, or is it…”

“Lex.” Putting her finger up to Alexis’s lips, she was able to get her to stop her rambling and focus on her. “I don’t have any of these answers right now. I wish I did, but until Salem calls me back with more details, I don’t know what’s happening. But I promise you this,” it was her turn to boop Alexis’s nose, and it made Alexis giggle, “as soon as I know, you will be the first person I tell. I promise you that.”

“Thank you.” Loping her arms around Blake’s neck, Alexis resumed their kissing. Blake was pleasantly surprised when Alexis pushed her up against the counter and pressed her body into hers. Her hands gripped a fistful of Blake’s hair and pulled ever so slightly, causing Blake to release a moan that surprised her. Alexis seemed pleased with herself as she slightly moved her knee between Blake’s legs. The added pressure against her center made Blake’s breath hitch in her throat. She ran her hands under Alexis’s robe and up her back, then back down as her hands cupped her ass.

“Mommy?” Harper’s voice caused them to separate faster than lightning. She walked over to Alexis and rested her chin on Alexis’s stomach. “When can I go to the zoo?”

“I’m not sure, baby. Why don’t you go across the hall and ask Emmy?”

“Ok!” Running out the front door, Harper disappeared across the hall into Emily and Sophia’s apartment as Alexis looked back at her.

“So,” Alexis’s eyes sparkled as she pulled Blake back to her body, “you were saying something about wanting kids?”

“Yeah, maybe I’m starting to second guess that.” Teasingly, Blake winked at her before they resumed their kissing. The fact of the matter was that the entire morning was making Blake long to be a part of it every day for the rest of her life. She could only hope Alexis continued to feel the same way.

Chapter 22

With opening night less than two days away, Alexis was sure she had more butterflies in her stomach than existed in all the world. She knew her lines, she could hit every note of every song without a hitch, but still, there was a nervousness that washed over her each time she stepped into the spotlight. Being in the spotlight wasn’t something Alexis was used to, whether on or off the stage. She’d always been more comfortable in the background.

But despite that, Alexis was glad she’d taken the lead role in the musical and was starting to get excited about the opening night. Her friends had bought out the theatre’s entire front row, and Sophia had threatened to make signs as if they were at a Taylor Swift concert. Sophia had even taken Harper shopping for something to wear to the opening night because she was convinced it was the equivalent of a Broadway production and needed to be treated as such.

“You all were fantastic!” Bryce ran up on stage as she hugged each of the cast members. They were all sweaty and exhausted, but the thrill of once again performing the whole show flawlessly made them all giddy with excitement. “Seriously, you all are going to knock it out of the park on Friday, right Blake?”

“Absolutely.” Walking up on stage, Blake nodded and winked at Alexis. It was a sweet gesture that everyone else easily missed in the crowd of people since no one outside of her close friend circle knew about them.

It had been a blissful few weeks since she and Blake had decided to give dating a try, and Alexis couldn’t have been happier. They’d gone to game night each week at Sophia and Emily’s, they’d taken Harper to the park every Saturday, and they’d had more movie nights that turned into intense make-out sessions after Harper was asleep than she could count. There had been several nights that Alexis thought their kissing would lead to something more, but each time, she’d stopped it under the pretense of Harper being in the next room.

Blake had understood. She never pushed Alexis farther than she’d wanted to go and seemed perfectly content to make out on the couch. But Alexis wanted more. That thought scared her, but it was true. Alexis hadn’t been with anyone since before she had Harper, and after the events that had led to Harper, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever want to be with anyone that intimately again.

Things were different with Blake, though. Although their future was uncertain, Alexis trusted her. Blake made her feel safe and loved, even though it was way too early in a relationship for that four-letter bomb to drop. She wanted to enjoy the ride she and Blake were on, no matter how limited their time might be. After all, Blake could get a call the next day that would send her back to Vancouver and far away from Alexis for god knows how long. Alexis wanted to live in their state of grace as long as she could.

Pushing all that aside, Alexis gathered her things from backstage and headed out to the car. Blake was waiting for her, as had become their routine, and Alexis wrapped her arms around Blake’s waist as their lips met perfectly. She loved the way their bodies fit together like two puzzle pieces that’d found their place. Alexis was a few inches shorter than Blake, which made her head rest perfectly under Blake’s chin when they embraced.

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