Page 68 of Blind Attraction

He nodded. “Yeah, we both thought as much. Mitch didn’t plan on giving up, though.”

She frowned. “Why?”

“I told you weeks ago, before we left Richmond. He likes you. I warned you he’d push you away and you didn’t fight for him.”

She placed her hands on her hips and scowled. “He thinks he knows what’s best for me. He tried to tell me what I needed and what I didn’t. I will never disrespect myself enough to be with a man like that, no matter how much I lo-like him.”

Blake raised a brow. “And why do you think he said those things?”

“Because he’s a jerk!” Her heart skipped a thudded beat. She needed to believe he was a chauvinistic pig. Otherwise she would end up crawling on her knees and asking him to give their relationship another try.

“No, sugar. He said it because he knew it would get you to let him go without a fight. And in case you didn’t know, that time we spent together—”

She frowned in confusion and he waggled his brows at her. “Ohh…yes.” He meant the time when they werealltogether. Her cheeks heated at the memory.

“—Mitch has never done that before. The whole protective-jealous thing, I mean. He cherishes you, Alana. I’ve never seen him this way.”

“I don’t understand. Why did he need me to let him go in the first place?”

Blake stepped toward her and grabbed her hand. “I’m not the person you need to ask.” He tugged her toward him. “Come on. Let’s go find where he’s hiding.”

She followed in a daze, her mind mulling possibilities which made her smile. Mitchell was here for her. He flew half way across the country—for her. They turned the corner to the entrance hall and found her mother pacing near the door. Her gaze shot to them, then lowered to their joined hands. Her face paled and her fingers shook as they rose to cover her mouth. “I apologize.”

Alana’s heart warmed with appreciation. She hadn’t expected her mom to atone for her life-threatening mistake without the threat of legal action falling into play.

“I-I don’t know what happened... I just...there was too much... I didn’t mean to... I...I.” She began to sob, big chest heaving cries which echoed off the walls.

Dropping Blake’s hand, Alana embraced her mother. She became the rock, holding strong while tears dampened her white camisole. “You need help.”

Her mom nodded into her shoulder. “I’m going to see a counselor. It’s been too long. I can’t go on like this.” She squeezed Alana tight. “Is he going to press charges?”

Alana glanced over at Blake and he shook his head. “No, Ma. He’s not going to press charges.”

“You love him?”

“What?” Alana leaned back. “No. This isBlake,not Mitchell.”

“You shot the wrong guy.” Blake chuckled, then winced and clutched his side.

Her mom stepped away from Alana’s embrace and faced Blake. “I hope you can accept my apology.”

“No worries.” He smiled and opened his arms.

Her mother glanced at him with wide eyes. Alana held her breath waiting for her mom to flee. Instead she stepped forward, paused, then did it again, and again, until finally she was in Blake’s arms.

With her mom’s stiff posture and the uncomfortable expression on Blake’s face, they wouldn’t score the world’s most comfortable hug, yet those few steps were a lifelong journey for her mother.

Alana sniffed and blinked away tears.

“You want to join in, sugar?”

She rolled her eyes and Blake released his hold.

“Are you ready to go find Mitch?” He held out his hand and she grasped his offering.

“Yeah.” Hope would kill her if she didn’t speak to him soon.

He led her past the front door and paused on the porch. Mitch rested against his car, legs crossed at the ankles as he stared at his shoes. He glanced up when the screen slammed shut and frowned when his focus lowered to their entwined hands.

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