Page 17 of Lakesides and Longing

“Well, this is the right place right now. It’s gorgeous. I don’t know how anyone stays indoors.”

Phil glanced at Paige. “You up for yoga again this summer?” he asked.

She grinned. “I’m always up for yoga.” He should’ve known she’d enjoy yoga. All that meditation and stuff was right up her alley.

Ida put her hands on her hips and glowered at Blake. “You know a good host always offers his guests a drink.”

“Of course,” Blake said. “We’ve got coffee.”

Ida winked at Paige. “Better make that an Irish coffee.” She turned back to Blake. “Of course, a bloody Mary would be perfect too.”

Blake’s gaze flicked to Paige, but she just grinned at him.

“Um, I’m not sure Paige has tomato juice. I can get you that coffee though.” He’d seen whiskey in the cupboard, so he could make that at least.

Blake made up a coffee for Ida, and Paige led Phil into her studio, chatting animatedly.

Ida hoisted herself up onto a stool. “I know what you’re thinking,” she said.

“What do you mean?” He was thinking Ida was a little over the top, but he still liked her. He couldn’t tell her that though.

“Phil and a pretty girl like Paige disappearing into another room.”

Well, maybe he was just into her weird art. His wife certainly was a bit on the unusual side.

“I suppose that is a little suspicious, but I just figured he liked art.”

“He does, and Paige is his best friend. I expect they escaped to chat about you. Don’t worry. Phil will fill me in when we get home.”

“How did you and Phil meet?” He had to get the attention away from him and Paige. He didn’t need meddlers this summer.

“He was my pool boy in Florida. It was love at first sight.”

Somehow that didn’t surprise him.

* * *

Blake madethe mistake of inviting Phil and Ida over for breakfast the day after they arrived, and five days later, it had become a daily occurrence. Blake didn’t mind. He liked cooking, and breakfast was his favorite meal.

Today, the door creaked open, and Tria raced from the kitchen to greet the couple and get the treat Phil always brought. Blake shoved his breakfast casserole into the oven. He wanted to be able to focus on the conversation with Ida instead of worrying that he’d put too much vanilla in his muffins.

Ida entered the kitchen in a flourish. “Where’s my mimosa?”

Blake just shook his head and opened the fridge while Phil took his yoga mat to the space in front of the windows. He and Paige always did yoga while Blake cooked.

Blake grabbed the pitcher of mimosa that he’d prepped that morning and poured out two glasses, handing one to Ida and settling on the stool next to her. She took it from him.

“You must’ve gotten up early today.” She raised her glass to him.

He clinked it with his own. “I didn’t want to mess up the casserole, and you’re distracting.”

She flung her hair over her shoulder and batted her eyes at him. “Sorry, dear, I’m very happy with Phil. You definitely have a chance with that one though.” She nodded toward where Phil and Paige were doing yoga.

Blake didn’t even bother hiding his stare. All women were attractive in downward dog, but Paige especially so. She wore short shorts, and he totally enjoyed the view.

“Paige and I are just friends. If that.”

Ida snorted. “Hardly. I see the way you watch her and her you. If you aren’t sleeping in the same bed by the time the summer is over, I’ll be very surprised.”

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