Page 39 of Quiet Beautiful Things

Relief floods through me while at the same time I chuckle at my assumption.

Chris gestures to the bar top. “Please, enjoy some snacks.”

“Thank you,” I sign.

While Maisy, Sarah and I graze on food and I teach them the signs for bread, cheese, and grape juice, Blake and his sister talk in the far corner. I appreciate the fact that they don’t talk right next to me when having a private conversation. Hearing people don’t understand how rude it is to talk right in front of you when you aren’t meant to be included. They just assume that because you can’t hear them, it’s okay. He gets it. He had the decency to move ‘out of earshot’ so to speak. Sometimes it amazes me how quickly he’s picked up on Deaf culture.

Blake joins us, popping a slice of gouda into his mouth. He half-grins, looking all mysterious and sexy as he types out a text.

Blake: Allie offered to babysit tonight. She knows I haven’t been out in weeks. How about it, El, join me for dinner?

El.He has a nickname for me. Butterflies dance in my stomach. I told myself I’d consider it if he asked again. It could be dangerous going down a rabbit hole I have no business goingdown. Especially considering who and what he is. Besides, what if I agree and we don’t click?

You know you do.

What if we have nothing in common?

We have Maisy.

What if—

Blake taps my shoulder and nods to my phone.

Blake: You have to admit we’re electric together.

I stare into his eyes before I reply.

Me: Maybe that’s exactly what I’m afraid of.

Chapter Fourteen

Blake

I buzz the security intercom on her building. After a few seconds, I realize what an idiot I am.

Me: I’m outside your building.

Ellie: You pressed the buzzer, didn’t you?

I laugh.

Me: Are you letting me up, or what?

She doesn’t answer. It’s not like I haven’t been in her apartment before. I did help her move the TV up. But this is different. This is a date. Wait, she knows it’s a date, doesn’t she? I mean I didn’t come out and say it was, but she knows…right?

I look around the complex and see a few familiar faces. Ah, man. Maybe she’s afraid someone will see us together and it’ll get back to her boss. Of course she’s been hesitant to go out with me. It could jeopardize her job. I shove a hand into my jeans pocket. I should have waited in the car. I quickly fire off a text to Lloyd’s, canceling the reservation I made.

The door opens and Ellie appears. And…Jesus. Hell yeah she knows this is a date. Those luscious lips are pink and shimmery and totally kissable. Her jeans hug every curve and taper down to the beige wedges that bring her a few inches nearer to my height, though I still pretty much tower over her. A pink blouse that matches her lips is a little transparent, giving a peek to the tight tank top beneath. The twitch in my pants reminds me how badly I want to peek beneath.

She blushes under my perusal.

This woman. She’s strong. Independent. A professional. She has a PhD for cryin’ out loud. Yet when she blushes around me and those freckles appear, she seems so goddamn innocent.

“You look beautiful,” I say and sign.

The redness on her cheeks doesn’t abate. “Thank you.”

She signs something I don’t understand.

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