Page 29 of Christmas with the Baby Daddy

Blake shivered, and even though I had no right to, I hugged her a little closer. She was real. Warm and not abrasive like Reagan. I'd hold her tighter if she wanted me to, but I wasn’t blind to how stiff and tense she was near me.

She’d always been timid and quiet, but in the truck, she’d seemed one second, one inch away from a breakdown.

Is it that hard to be near me?

I’d ghosted her after Kevin’s funeral, but that was more about not wanting to linger in Vernford than it was about getting away from her.

Or is she uneasy because we were talking about her son?

Asking her who George’s father was came off as a very intrusive question, but this was Blake. And me asking. It wasn’t as though I was being nosy for the hell of it and inquiring for the sake of gossip.

Shouldn’t you feel… safe with me?I gazed down at her, wondering if Reagan would turn away if she saw me still holding another woman. In fact, this was a moment of kismet. Reagan had tried to slide up against me at Kevin’s funeral, trying to offer me comfort. It was because of her overeagerness that I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air… finding Blake.

And the rest is history.We’d spent the whole night together, but sans grief and alcohol, we couldn’t get along now?

“This is just my luck,” Reagan said as she reached us. She propped the box against her hip to free one hand. When she lifted it to place it on my arm, I turned, giving her a clear clue that I didn’t welcome her touch.

But I still didn’t let Blake step back.

“I was hoping to see you again, Zach.”

I kept my face neutral. Indifferent and bored. Her idea of luck was my idea of misfortune.

Blake didn’t seem to want to stand around or intrude. “I’ll just?—”

I tucked her closer to me, not ready to give up this closeness even though she wasn’t at risk of falling again on the level sidewalk.

“I didn’t have time earlier to ask you out, Zach.” She batted her lids, likely trying to look coy and coquettish, but with the wind whipping her hair into her face, she lost her roll by having to pull the strands off her sticky lipstick. “How about it? Tomorrow night?”

You just don’t know when to give up.

It appeared as though my return would give her ample time to try and try and try again. I had no significant other, no commitment that would give me an easy out from being available to go anywhere with her. No job to take me away or claim my time. Nothing.

Unless…I straightened, keeping my arm draped around Blake’s shoulders. “I can’t.”

“Oh?” Her brow knitted as she lost some wattage to her smile. “Why not?”

You can’t just accept my reply? What happened tonobeing a full sentence?

“I have plans.”

Blake wasn’t impervious to the tension. She cleared her throat and glanced up at me. “I’m just going to go inside and get that package.” She faced Reagan. “Are the doors unlocked?” Then she peered around her.

“What plans?” Reagan asked me, ignoring Blake.

I lowered my head and winked at Blake. “I’ll be with her.”

Blake opened her eyes comically wide as she gaped at me. “What?”

Reagan laughed. It wasn’t a simple sound of mirth or amusement, but a forced, practiced giggle. She propped her hand to her hip. “I don’t think so. Blake will be here.” She pointed at the venue. “Catering for the company party tomorrow.” Then she arched a brow, clearly smug that she’d caught me in a lie. “So, um. Nice try.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “She’ll be here working. And I will be too.”

“What?” Blake frowned up at me.

“I’m going to help.” I shrugged, following this line of impulsive lies on the spot. “Since it’s my grandma’s company.”

In any other circumstances, I would’ve laughed at the stark bewilderment on Blake’s face as she stared up at me.

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