Page 33 of Color of Love

“And I would totally believe you, if your eyes weren’t watching him like he’s Channing Tatum and ‘Pony’ just started playing.”

Justine flushed. Was she really that transparent?

“I was not! And I already know him well enough from speaking to him at the NWS meetings, so there!” she shot back triumphantly. Taylor looked at her, sympathy lining her features.

“Oh sweetie, I can’t wait to watch you fight this to the bitter end, it’ll be nearly as entertaining as it was watching Christy and Doofus,” she said, jerking her thumb over her shoulder.

“My ears are burning,” Dean said, coming into the kitchen with a smile on his face.

“Shush, grown-ups talking,” Taylor quipped. Dean wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into his chest, rubbing his knuckles over her head.

“Asshole!” Taylor hissed as she fought him. Justine decided to use the distraction to escape and headed back outside. Unfortunately, Taylor knew her too well and came charging after her, shoving her out the way. She handed Blake his beer and took the seat next to Christy, so Justine was forced to sit next to Blake. Justine glared daggers at her over the fire pit and Taylor just blew her a kiss.

“So Blake, tell us about yourself?” Christy asked, Blake’s beer stalled halfway to his mouth before he took a sip and Justine watched his smooth tan throat working as he swallowed, making her mouth water and she averted her eyes before he noticed her staring. She grabbed her drink and took a big gulp, and as she did so, she caught Taylor’s eye and the minx was smirking at her with far too much satisfaction.

“What do you want to know?” he asked.

“Everything,” Taylor replied, and he chuckled, the sound warming Justine more than the fire ever could.

“Well, I recently moved from Anderson to-”

“Why did you move?” Christy interrupted him. There was a pause and Justine held her breath, just how much would he tell them about himself?

“I moved for the job and-”

“Interesting, did you leave anyone behind in Anderson? Like, a girlfriend?” Taylor asked, giving him her full, undivided attention.

“No. I’m single if that’s what you’re asking,” Blake replied, and Justine noticed him shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

“How old are you?” Christy’s word firing at him.

“I’m thirty-eight.”

“Wow a thirty-eight-year-old single man? You’re probably ready to settle down and start a family, aren’t you?” Taylor took over the questioning and Justine sent her a fierce look telling her to shut the fuck up!

“I’m not really the ‘settling down with a family’ type,” he replied smoothly, and Justine’s heart thudded in her chest. Wait, he wasn’t? The idea bothered her more than it should. They weren’t together, what did it matter?

“But if the right woman came along…?” Christy jumped on it, leaving the question hanging in the air.

There was a pause and Justine was desperate to hear his answer.

“I think I’m gonna go and chat to the guys. I feel like they’re less… interrogate-y…it’s been a pleasure ladies,” he said, his deep voice caressing over her and he stood up and went over to the guys. When he was out of earshot Taylor turned to them both.

“Well, that went well, better than I thought it would!” she chimed, and she and Christy clinked their glasses to a job well done.

“You’re both unbelievable!” she hissed at them over the fire.

“Thank you,” Christy said sincerely, placing her hand on her chest and Justine laughed at the expression on her face. Dammit, she couldn’t stay mad at them. To her relief, they didn’t question her about Blake and instead they began talking about wedding plans.

She tried to pay attention, but her traitorous eyes kept moving over to where the men were standing, especially when Beau barked out a laugh and she was shocked to see Blake laughing too. His wide smile took over his whole face, the sight of it hit her like a punch to the gut and her breath caught in her throat. It was beautiful: his white, straight teeth briefly flashing, a small dimple popped next to his lip and his eyes crinkled at the edges. He looked so happy.

She was struck dumb at the sight of it, her mouth dropped open and he met her stare. She quickly looked away before he could spot the yearning that was surely on her face. That’s what he said wasn’t it, yearning? His words from the night before in her office consumed her. What was she going to do? He was everywhere, she couldn’t get away from him. And now that she could see him bonding with her friends, showing her another new side of him? It just made her want him even more.

The guys brought the food over and Blake offered to go inside and get more beers, the women had plenty of margaritas to keep them going a bit longer. She was starting to feel the warm, alcoholic buzz settling over her.

“That dude is fricking hilarious, and I can’t believe he’s so good at basketball but never went pro,” Beau said when Blake was gone, and Dean nodded along with him.

“Have you got a new man crush?” Taylor teased. For once there was no malice in her words as she spoke to Beau, maybe they’d gotten over whatever their issue was?

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