Page 74 of State of Grace

“I know.” Her eyes twinkled as Blake rolled her eyes. “We’ve had a second chance to get to know each other now, and, at least for me, that’s more than what I’d ever thought would happen.”

“Me too.”

“It’s time for us to look forward, not backward.” She tilted her head. “Don’t you agree?”

Blake nodded. Her mom was right. She’d been holding on to the anger for so long that it was clouding her mind. She had to release that anger if she was ever going to move past that part of her life. After all, Blake had no ability to change the past. Forward was her only option. “I do.”

Blake did. Her time in therapy following her father’s death had helped her realize that.

“Good.” With a wink, Isla squeezed Blake’s arm before standing up. “I’m gonna go take a walk. I don’t need the Jeep today so keep it as long as you need. And pick up breakfast for Sophia and Emily too. Sophia will appreciate the gesture.”

“Will do.”

Without another word, Isla headed out the door. Blake took Isla’s advice and called Carlson’s Café to place her to-go order on her way out to the Jeep. She barely had to wait for the order to be ready and had avoided all small talk with Maggie, thanks to the café’s steady early morning crowd. Quickly paying the tab and leaving a hefty tip, Blake darted back to the Jeep and down the few blocks to Alexis’s apartment.

Blake balanced the paper bag on her arm as she juggled the four coffees in the tray. Ringing the doorbell, Blake was surprised when it opened within a minute. It was still early for Alexis to be up, and usually, she greeted her over the intercom when she buzzed her in, which could only mean one thing.

“Sophia.” Blake nodded toward the French woman at the top of the stairs. Her arms were crossed over her red pantsuit. The sleeves were rolled up enough for the elegant black silk liner to be shown. Sophia wore the same scowl of annoyance she had worn the night before at the hospital on her face. As Blake arrived at the top of the stairs, she was keenly aware of how Sophia had positioned herself between Blake and Alexis’s front door.

“What are you doing here?”

“I brought breakfast.” Shrugging, Blake held up the bag and coffee.

“I can make them breakfast,” Sophia retorted.

“Well, now you don’t have to because I brought breakfast for all of us.” Blake forced a smile. She wanted Sophia to like her, to at least give her a chance. “Even you and Emily.”

“Why would you do that?” Sophia seemed legitimately confused by the gesture.

“Because I wanted to.” However, I’m beginning to wonder why now. “I know we’ve all had a long night, and I wanted to do something nice for you all.”

“Is that all?”

“It’s breakfast, Sophia. What’s with the interrogation?” With a snort, Sophia rolled her eyes as if Blake was clueless.

“I don’t have any children of my own, but Alexis is basically my daughter, and Harper is my granddaughter.” Sophia’s jawline twitched, and she seemed unsteady as if something had shaken her resolve to be mean to Blake. “I am going to be protective of them until the day I die.”

“I understand that and respect that, Sophia. But I hate to tell you that you’re not the only one looking out for them now.”

“And that makes me feel so much better after the events that transpired last night.”

“You cannot possibly believe that was my fault.”

“I know.” Sophia’s angry resolve seemed to fade away. “When I heard there had been an accident, my whole world stopped. I just had to get to Harper and see her and know she was ok. I’ll admit,” she gritted her teeth before continuing, “that I said some things last night that I shouldn’t have, and I am…sorry.”

Blake was flabbergasted at Sophia’s apology. She rapidly blinked a few times as if trying to convince herself that Sophia had actually apologized to her. It was huge; Blake didn’t have to know Sophia that well to know that.

“Thank you, Sophia.” She contemplated hugging her but decided against it. “I would never intentionally hurt either of them. I hope you know that.”

“I do.” Her eyes held a slight playfulness. “I may not like it, but I understand it. And thank you. For loving them and protecting them.”

“Always.”

The apartment door opened behind Blake, and their eyes shifted to the door.

“Hey, Blake.” Emily cheerfully walked out into the foyer as Sophia took the slightest step back from Blake. “I thought I heard you out here. What are you doing?”

“I brought breakfast for all of us.”

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