Page 74 of Girl Going Nowhere

It’s Blake’s handwriting.

Fuck.

The person in question appears in the kitchen with dark bags under her eyes and a red nose from the cold she caught from Maia. I went to the pharmacy yesterday to restock some of the medicine and juice she ran out of because she could barely get out of bed.

I pick up the paper. “What’s this?”

Her tired eyes go to the markings. “I’ve been looking at apartments in the area for me and Maia.”

Both Finn and I turn to her.

It’s Finn who says, “We don’t expect you to do that. If it’s because of me and Dante—”

“No,” she quickly tells him, a soft smile tilting her lips. “It has nothing to do with that. I’ve been saving up here and there to get something of my own for a while. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do and haven’t had a chance to until now. The clinic gave me a small raise which has helped. It’s not much, but it’s enough to make ends meet.”

This is the first time any of us has heard of this? “How come you’ve never brought it up before now? We could have helped you.”

She rubs her arm. “It wasn’t like I didn’t want to, but there has been a lot of other things going on. More important things kept burying it. When those pictures were published, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to move after paying Sabrina, so I didn’t think it was smart bringing it up until I had something.”

I still wish she would have told me. We spend enough time together that it could have come up, but I understand why she didn’t. “When are you planning on moving?”

“You’re not going to ask me to stay?”

As much as I want to, it’s not my place to do that. None of us can ask that of her. “I know you. Once you’ve made your mind up, that’s it. Doesn’t mean I don’t want you here because you know I do.”

Finn adds, “We all do.”

She smiles softly. “Thanks, guys.” Her eyes go from me to Finn. “And I’m sorry for coming in here and creating chaos.”

I walk over and put an arm around her shoulders. “I think your chaos is exactly what this place needed to put things into perspective.”

Finn folds the paper. “He’s not wrong.”

I rub Blake’s arm. “Feeling up for breakfast? I’ll take you to Panera.”

She nibbles her lip. “It’s not Thursday.”

Pecking a kiss against the top of her head to hide the amused smirk, I say, “It’s my treat.”

Finn stands up and puts his empty cup in the sink. “Have fun. I’ll see you after work.”

After he leaves, Blake glances around. “Where is Dante?”

My lips twitch, debating on lying. I choose not to. “He went to meet with Rafael and talk about some shit they need to officially settle. Don’t worry, he won’t be coming around again.”

She blows out a subtle breath. “That’s good. Really good. I’m happy he’s accepting the best for himself.”

I brush fallen hair behind her ear. “As much as I want you to stay, I understand wanting your own place.”

Her eyes, still glassy from the cold, meet mine to study me. “I think it’ll be good. We can live normally. Have our own space. Date like normal people. If that’s what you want, I mean.”

My chest swells. “Is that whatyouwant?”

Her eyes meet mine, glassy and shy. I already know the answer without her telling me. It’s all in the way she looks at me. It’s the same way I look at her. “Let’s start with breakfast. I haven’t eaten anything besides soup in three days.”

I kiss her temple. “You got it, babe. Is Maia still at your parents?”

She nods. “Until tomorrow. My mom says they’ll happily keep her until I get my energy back. I was thinking about checking out some of those apartments later today.”

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