Page 11 of Girl Going Nowhere

The last time she did it, my left hand was covered in pink glitter polish. Only two and a half nails actually got painted, and she damn near had a fit when I tried taking it off. So, I went to work with it on and took all the shit I received from the guys who saw it.

I still get gift cards to the nail salon as a holiday present from some of these fuckers. And every single time I do, I give them to Blake so she and Maia can get pampered since it’s not something she can afford to do often.

“She’s getting really good at staying in the lines,” is her reply, wiggling her fingers once I take the cup. Each nail is a different color. Some with more paint on them than others. I love how she doesn’t even bother correcting them. She showcases whatever her daughter gives her.

I take her hand and study them closer as an excuse to touch her. “I like the blue she chose.”

Blake smiles. “She said it made her think of you. I think she’s got a crush.”

Smirking, I shoot her a wink. “Can you blame the girl? I’ve always been told I’m a catch.”

The blonde letting me hold her hand finally pulls it back with a roll of her eyes. “Yeah, maybe the worm at the end of a fishing line.”

My free hand goes to my heart. “That hurts, babe. Are you saying I’m nothing more than fish food? I thought I was special.”

Humor dances in Blake’s hazel eyes. “Maybe to Maia, but…” The fake gasp coming from me has her laughing. “Fine. You’re special. Not many thirty-year-old guys help raise somebody else’s baby. But you’ve always been nice to her.”

As if it’s hard. Maia is one of the sweetest kids I know, not that I know many. Most of the guys I hang out with are single and childless, like me. “It isn’t like Maia makes it hard. She’s a sweet kid. You’ve done great with her.”

Blake looks away, but not before I see the slight shimmer in her eyes from the compliment. She never takes them well. I’ve always wondered why she acts like she doesn’t deserve to be given kind words, but I haven’t asked. I’ve heard how her mom talks to her. While she’s nicer than Dante’s troubled mother, she’s one of Blake’s biggest critics.

By the time she looks back at me, it’s as if I never said anything at all. “I knew you had a long day today, so I wanted to drop that off before heading home to finish packing. My parents have Maia until I fly back Sunday night, so you guys will finally have the apartment girl-free again.”

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed that she’d be gone for the long weekend, but I’m glad she’s getting away. “I know you hate hearing this, but you deserve some downtime. It’s good you’re getting a chance to see Emily. She’s always welcome here if she wants to spend time in your world.”

Blake has never brought anybody around besides her mother, and that was only because Maia was going to stay with her grandparents for the day. It doesn’t matter if Finn, Dante, or I tell her she can have people over, she comes back with the same thing. “I don’t want to take up more space than I already have with Maia.”

It’s pointless to argue with her since I’ve tried hundreds of times before, so I don’t bother. “Thank you for the coffee. I’m sure I’ll see you before you go to bed, but if not, let me know when you’ve made it to Charlotte. Okay?”

Her lips curl up. “Yes,Mom.”

I chuckle. “I care. Sue me.”

Blake’s eyes roam over my face for a moment as if she’s trying to detect the lie. “You really mean that, huh?”

The fact she has to ask that is fucking sad. “I do. So keep me updated on everything, okay? I know you’re not a fan of flying.”

She blinks. “How?”

I try hiding my smile behind the coffee she bought me, which tastes like it’s from my favorite spot on the main drag. Even though I only take it black, it’s some of the best that’s served in the area.

“You hid behind the throw blanket for most of the show we watched the other night,” I answer, grinning when her cheeks pinken. It was Dante’s turn to pick what to watch, and there weren’t any games on that we wanted to tune into.

Blake straightens. “He put onAirplane Disasters! I highly doubt anybody would be smiling while watching it. If they are, they obviously need psychiatric help.”

I’m not wrong, though. Even before the flights featured in the episode went awry, she was cringing and gripping whatever she could while watching the plane take off.

All I say is, “You’ll be fine. I’ve always brought my headphones with me to listen to music during flights. Find a distraction.”

She nibbles on her bottom lip. “Any chance I can borrow your headphones? The wireless ones?”

I open my desk drawer, pull them out, and pass them to her. “They’re freshly charged, so you should be all set.”

The tension in her shoulders eases slightly as she accepts them with a quiet, “Thank you.”

Standing, I give her a peck on a cheek and a quick hug before stepping back. “You know I’ve got you, Blake.”

We stare at each other for a while, her cheeks darkening a little more before she grabs my hand and squeezes it before stepping back. “Have fun this weekend.”

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