Page 23 of Lakesides and Longing

“No wonder, considering the snoozer we were watching.”

“We’ll finish it tonight.”

He groaned, and Tria climbed into his lap. “I’m going to hit the shower,” she said. Because if she stayed here, she might sit back down and snuggle right into his side. He made her feel safe, and safe wasn’t something she felt very often anymore.

She frowned and headed up the stairs. He was not a guy who would ever fall for her. He thought she was crazy, and she could never be with anyone who didn’t believe in their sign.

She padded across her room and stepped into her stone shower. It was big enough for two people and even had an extra showerhead, but Emery had liked private showers. Blake probably would appreciate the intimacy of her beautiful shower.

She needed a good old ice bath to slow those thoughts down and then some serious studio time. She felt better today than she had in a long time. Her energy level was at an all-time high. She hadn’t felt like this in a very long time.

Maybe this afternoon Blake would take her to the gallery to drop off a few pieces. She hadn’t finished anything new, but she had a storage unit full of things she never thought were good enough to sell, yet now she just wanted to get something out there.

She lathered her hair and then her heart stilled. She finally realized what was different. And it wasn’t her attraction to Blake.

Last night was the first time since the accident that she had slept through the night and did not wake up screaming.

CHAPTER15

Blake’s muscles were stiff. He should have never fallen asleep on the couch like that. He needed a bed. He might watch the rest of that sleepy movie with Paige tonight, but he was definitely sleeping in his own bed.

He wouldn’t lie though. He could get used to waking up with her in his arms.

Get a hold of yourself, man. This is Lukas’s sister.

Nothing was going to happen between them. He had to be professional about this.

He focused on breakfast and his guests. Ida helped him carry the plates out to the deck. It was warm enough out that they could eat outside.

He set his plate down and stared out at the view that he’d quickly come to love. “You’re awfully quiet today.” Ida placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Sorry, I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Mostly just that gorgeous thing he couldn’t have. But he didn’t want to admit that.

She chuckled. “What on earth do you have to worry about out here?”

His eyes flicked to where Paige and Phil were finishing up their yoga. They both sat on their mats with their eyes closed and hands at their hearts. Paige looked absolutely serene.

Ida raised her eyebrows. “I see. What happened?”

“Nothing.” He didn’t want to admit the fact that they fell asleep together to anyone.

“That’s a lie.”

Blake rubbed the back of his neck. There was no one Ida could tell. Well, she could tell Paige, but he doubted she’d do that.

“Paige and I fell asleep together on the couch last night.” He said the words in a rush, as if by saying them fast, she wouldn’t react.

“And?”

This woman was good. He’d give her that. Now that he started talking, he was ready to spill the whole thing. “And maybe I’m starting to have feelings for her.”

“I told you that would happen. What’s the problem?”

Blake sunk down in the chair. “You know the problem.”

“Debbie?”

His head jerked up. Oh yeah, Debbie. How easily she was being forgotten.

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