Page 51 of Fire

“Nope, I got it. I made spaghetti and salad. Easy to dish up.”

“What do you call a fake noodle?”

“Dad!”

“What?”

It was well into dinner when her dad dropped the bomb.

“So, Blake, what are your intentions with my daughter?”

“Dad!”

“Keith.”

Both Gwen and Angela said in unison.

Gwen leaned into Blake. “I’m so sorry.” Her eyes shot to her father. “I’m twenty-seven years old. I think I’m well past the age you need to worry about that.”

“You, young lady, will never be old enough for me to stop worrying about.”

“Would you like some more garlic bread, Blake?” Mom, bless her, again tried to save the day.

“No, thank you, Angela, but I don’t have problem answering Keith’s question.”

Her dad grinned, and Gwen moaned. Blake threw her a smile, capturing her hand that lay on the table. “Relax, sweetheart.”

She thought she heard her mom sigh. She’d be out of commission and in a Blake Daze for the next five minutes so Gwen could expect no more help from her.

“As far as my intentions,” Blake started, “I think your daughter is great, and I enjoy spending time with her.” He brought the hand he still held up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “And I hope she feels the same.” He looked back at her father. “Like I told Gwen, I don’t know what the future holds, but I like how it’s started.”

“Well then, I have only one thing to say. Want to hear the joke about paper?”

“Dad!”

Her dad waved his hand. “Never mind, it’s tearable.”

Chapter 13

The ringing of a phone woke her. Gwen felt movement behind her then Blake’s gruff-sleepy voice mutter, “Yeah?”

Silence filled the air for a moment.

“I can’t come right now.” Spoken quietly.

More silence.

Then a sigh.

“Give me a few hours.”

More shifting on the bed then Blake, fully clothed in a tee and sweats, came into view as he headed for the bedroom door.

“No, I can’t come right now.”

He disappeared, shutting the door behind him but not before she heard him say, “Put her on the phone.”

Gwen sighed, rolling to her back.

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