Page 48 of Quiet Beautiful Things

It’s hard not to think about Blake. I thought about him all weekend. Maybe I even missed him. I was surprised when he didn’t kiss me Friday night. I know I told him not to walk me to the door, but part of me wanted him to. Then again, if this is just some kind of fling, he wouldn’t do that. But if it’s a fling, wouldn’t he have tried to sleep with me?

I had a video call with Beth later that night. She knew about the date. She also knows about his reputation. She told me to go for it anyway. After all, I’m not one for relationships and she knows it. She asked how bad could it be—having a few romps with the hot single dad.

Maybe all he wants is a friends-with-benefits kind of thing, although we’ve yet to ‘benefit.’ I mean, this is Blake Montana. Everyone knows his reputation precedes him. Oddly, I’m beginning to be okay with it. I’m just starting my career. I have enough to focus on without having to coddle a relationship—one with a hearing man no less. Yes, I’m perfectly fine with Blake and I being a pleasant distraction from other things in life.

I shake off the thoughts racing in my head when Maisy starts signing. She points to all the men, doing the sign for ‘boy.’ She studies the drawings and flashcards. She looks at the picture onmy phone. She points to the man holding the baby. “Daddy,” she signs.

I nod.

She points to the drawing of her and Blake. “Daddy.”

“Yes,” I sign, hope growing in my chest.

She points to the drawing of a man with a child. “Daddy.”

“Good,” I sign. I point to the single man.

She looks between all of them then signs, “Boy.”

I do jazz hands.

She smiles.

Does she get it? I still don’t know. She could have no idea what it all means, only that those are the signs I wanted her to repeat for each picture. But it’s these baby steps that will eventually lead to big strides.

The Pre-K dismissal light flashes in the corner of my office and I motion to it. She understands that means it’s time to go home.

I walk Maisy out, searching for Blake. He still parks and comes inside to collect her every day. I adore how protective he is of her.

Maisy spots him and stops. She points to him and signs, “Daddy.”

Emotions flow through me as I lock eyes with Blake, his shocked and impassioned expression confirming he saw her sign. He races over, and for a moment, his arms open. But then they fall to his sides as he lowers to his knees in front of her.

Hug him, I implore in my thoughts.

But it doesn’t happen. She does, however, see our excited reaction and do the sign again.

Blake looks up at me. “Did she just call me… Daddy?”

I nod and smile, my heart growing larger on the spot.

Maisy turns and points to another man collecting his child. “Daddy,” she signs.

As Blake’s expression deflates, I quickly retrieve my phone.

Me: It’s okay. She’s learned today that all men are boys but that only men with children are fathers.

“Ellie.” He hesitates. “Does she know I’m her father?”

I shrug. Because I don’t know. All I can do is hope. “Baby steps,” I sign.

He nods sadly, stands, and takes her hand. “See you at four.”

I watch them leave, sad for the man who desperately wants his daughter to know who he is. I find myself disappointed that he doesn’t turn and give me one last look like he usually does.

When they’re both completely out of sight, I go back to my office, scolding myself for being so selfish.

Chapter Seventeen

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