Page 31 of Quiet Beautiful Things

Lucas looks pissed. But I see Dax’s point.

“I’ll show. I’ll fucking show. This is the real thing, fellas. Not that any of you would know.”

“Hey,” Cooper says in his defense.

“Okay, so maybeyouknow,” Lucas says.

Once again, my mind turns to thoughts of expressive blue eyes, hair that darkens or lightens depending on the light, and a smile that would bring any man to his knees.

“Blake?... Yo, Blake.”

I turn to see the three of them staring at me.

Dax scoffs. “You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”

“He’s got what bad?” Lucas asks.

“A case of blue balls apparently.” Cooper chuckles.

Cooper fills my brother in on Ellie as I tune out their chatter because my phone vibrates again. It’s another text from her. The zings shooting through my body when her name pops up confirm that I do in facthave it bad. Dax is right. I’m totally hot for teacher.

Chapter Eleven

11

Ellie

Walking up to Blake’s house, I instantly notice the changes. There is a large swing set in the back yard, and I’m fairly sure his yard wasn’t fenced when I came the other day. How does one get an entire fence erected in just a few days?

The lengths he’s gone for her are truly astounding. My heart misses a beat and I scold myself.You cannot fall for this guy, Ellie.

I knock, and moments later, he answers, balancing an armful of laundry in one hand and a stack of stuffed animals in the other. “Come in,” he says. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be right back.”

Following him inside, I look around his living room that was an utter disaster the last time I was here. On his way through, he leans down and picks up a pair of shoes, then disappears around the corner.

I take the opportunity to peek into the kitchen and family room. Both are far more organized. I wonder if he hired a cleaning service. One glance at the dining room table has me smiling. It’s littered with drawings. Upon closer look, the drawings have been made by not only Maisy, but Blake. They’re communicating through art. It’s fascinating.

I inhale deeply.Heart—stop it.

The light flickers overhead and I turn, having a hard time not smiling. He’s already getting the hang of things.

But then… then he does something truly astounding. He speaks with his hands.

“Ellie,” he fingerspells then smiles.

I nod and do jazz hands.

“It’s nice to see you,” he signs. “Please come in.”

I’m speechless. He learned those signs in just a few days. And he did them perfectly.

Trying to look unaffected by his impressive display, I look around, mildly confused by his words since I’m already inside. At the same time, I’m bowled over at the ease in which he signed. I’ve never seen someone pick it up so quickly.

I pull out my phone and text him.

Me: I’m already in.

He laughs.

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