Page 27 of The Plan
“Wow,” Blake says, although I’m not sure he’s aware of saying it as he takes his fill.
Aunt Addy and Sinead both smile at him before bringing their eyes back to me.
“You look gorgeous, sweetheart.”
“Thanks. I love your outfit, Sinead,” I say, complimenting her black and white polka dot style prom dress.
“Thank you,” she beams.
“Great accessories too,” I add, noting her matching red pumps and bag. I’m pretty sure her smile couldn’t be any wider.
“Are we ready to go then?” Aunt Addy asks, but Blake is still away with the fairies.
“I just need to put my jewellery on.” I walk over to my stuff behind the sofa and locate my necklace and earrings. I stand in front of the mirror and pop the simple diamond studs into my ears before going to put the chain around my neck.
“Let me,” I hear from behind me. I look up and my eyes lock onto his.
When he holds his hand out I pass him my necklace and pull my hair up out of the way. He laces his hands through the gap I’ve left before gently placing the single solitaire diamond against my chest. When he moves back to do it up, his fingers brush the skin of my neck and goosebumps race across my skin. Our eyes connect again in the mirror, his darkening the longer we’re stood there.
“Do you need me to do it, Dad?” Sinead offers when she realises it’s taking too long.
Blake clears his throat and breaks his gaze from mine before saying he’s got it.
Although we’re going in Aunt Addy’s car so she can drive back, Blake insists on driving to Belfast and I get pushed into the front seat so Sinead can chat to her nan about school on the journey.
In contrast to the endless chatter in the back of the car, the front remains relatively silent. I feel his eyes flick over to me every few minutes, but I fight to keep my eyes ahead and not engage with him. My body’s humming just being this close to him but I can’t forget that his daughter is sat mere feet away.
When Sinead starts getting even more excited about whatever it is she’s telling Aunt Addy, Blake decides to talk.
“You look beautiful,” he says quietly.
“Thank you,” I whisper back, blushing profusely. I look to my left, attempting to hide my reaction.
“I’m sorry about what happened before. I was drunk and then hungover, and ashamed of my behaviour,” he says.
“It’s fine. I knew it was the drink talking.”
“It might have been the drink making me so forward, but it was all true.”
My words get stuck in my throat and I thank the heavens when Sinead asks Blake a question and puts an end to our inappropriate conversation.
