Running on Empty (28 page)

Nycole nods her head in acceptance. “Deal. But you need to go put some makeup on and fix your hair. It would look pretty dumb to be dressed up with no make-up.” She throws the dress to me and points to my bedroom. Gee, thanks.

“Fine.” I start to head into the other room to change. “But no whiskers on my face – I think that would also look dumb with my dress.” Stopping to look at Rylie I add, “But on you, my dear, they look gorgeous!” Rylie giggles and continues spinning around the room in her dress…something she’s been doing since I’ve been in here.

I walk into my bathroom and turn on my curling iron. I dry my hair quickly and apply some make up. Just a little because I don’t want to look like I’m overdoing it. Not that the dress itself isn’t overkill enough. I slide the dress over my head and walk over to the full length mirror on my bathroom door. I turn from side to side and watch the dress swish back and forth hitting the middle of my thighs. I forgot how short this dress is.
Yikes.

I quickly add some loose curls to my hair and slide a light lip gloss over my lips. Smacking them together, I take a final look in the mirror, surprisingly pleased with the outcome of my efforts. Not bad for nine o’clock in the morning.

“Alright girls,” I say, once again entering the living room. “Let’s get started!”

All three girls stop what they’re doing and stare at me. I spin around and look back at them seeking approval. Nycole flashes me the thumbs up sign and a huge smile.

“You look like a model, Mama!” Kyndall runs up and hugs my waist.

“Mommy – you look so pretty!” Rylie exclaims as she runs to me and embraces my leg. I look down at them and smile. “Well, Blake isn’t going to know what to do with all of the beautiful Meyer girls this morning, is he?”

Giggles ensue followed by high pitched shrieks when the doorbell rings. Great – we have absolutely nothing ready. I hope he isn’t too hungry.

“Blake’s here! Blake’s here!” they all shout once again, trampling each other as they run out of the living room. Nycole reaches the door first and turns around to face them holding both hands in front of her signaling for them to calm down. “Shh! You’re both acting crazy. I’m not opening the door until you settle down.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Once they’re quiet, Nycole gives then a quick nod and turns to open the door. As soon as they see Blake, Kyndall and Rylie push Nycole aside and run to him. He’s already crouched down, waiting for them, with four roses in his hand…three pink and one yellow with red tips along the petals.

I raise my hand to my mouth to cover my smile. He never ceases to amaze me. I know the meaning of that yellow rose. It is symbolic of falling in love from friendship. I swallow the basketball lodged in my throat and giggle as the girls almost knock Blake over when they reach his open arms. He gives them a tight hug and then looks up at me. Releasing them, he stands up and smiles a sexy grin while approaching me. “This is for you.” He puts his arms around me gently and whispers in my ear, “You look beautiful, Alex.”

I squeeze him a little tighter. “Thank you, Blake,” before letting him go. Stepping back from him, I accept the rose.

Turning to the girls, Blake exclaims, “Well, don’t you all look gorgeous. I’m such a lucky man this morning to be surrounded by such beauty.” He takes the pink roses and gives one to each girl. “I couldn’t show up to our breakfast date without flowers. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t bring roses?” He gives them a wink and they each grin back at him, all sniffing their roses.

He looks at Rylie and chuckles. “Rylie, I love your whiskers. I didn’t think it was possible, but they make you look even more stunning.” She giggles and skips into the house with her rose.

We all turn to follow her into the house. Blake reaches forward and gently hooks my hand from behind, causing me to turn around. His eyes move slowly up my body. When his eyes finally meet mine, he lets out a quick breath and gives me a sexy lop-sided smile. “Seriously, Alex…breathtaking.”

I look him over for the first time this morning, noticing how handsome he looks. Trading his signature faded jeans for darker ones, he’s wearing a light blue button up dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his muscular forearms. I also notice his motorcycle boots have been replaced with black Kenneth Coles. He looks absolutely gorgeous. I bite my bottom lip to avoid drooling all over myself. “You look handsome as ever, Blake. Not that there’s ever a time when you don’t.”

I glance over to my driveway. “No bike today?” He runs his hand through his hair as he turns to look as well. “Nope. I wouldn’t take the bike on a dress-up
breakfast date. What kind of man do you take me for?” He turns back around and offers me another sexy grin. “The girls have been planning this one for a while; you
really
should keep an eye on your cell phone, Alex.”

Oh my devious, devious children.

I shake my head and lightly laugh. “Good to know, on both accounts. I will
definitely
be putting a pass code on my phone ASAP.” I laugh again. “And we both saw what happened last time I tried to ride your bike in a skirt.” He lets out a laugh and I grin back at him. “Let’s get inside and see what
else
they have planned.”

As I turn to enter the house, I notice that our hands are still joined. I continue to hold his hand until we enter the kitchen where the girls have already started the preparations for breakfast. When I let go, I make sure to give him a quick reassuring smile. He nods his head in understanding.

When Blake approaches the stove, Rylie holds her little arms straight up in the air for him to pick her up. He gently lifts her and places her in her usual seat by the stove. “Not too close, Blake.” He looks back at me and laughs. He scoots her over a millimeter. Laughing under his breath, he turns to face me again. “Better?”

I roll my eyes, walk over and slide her much further away. “Better.”

He shakes his head and grabs the mixing bowl and the eggs from the counter. He cracks one and lets Rylie help break it open into the bowl. I leave them to it and turn to help Nycole and Kyndall. “Not the whole bag!” I shout as the last chocolate chip falls into the mix. They giggle together. “Sorry! We used
both
bags!”

I try to suppress my laughter, but when I look at their not so innocent little faces, I break. “You guys are so bad!”

They continue mixing the pancake ingredients. There are so many chocolate chips it takes both of them to stir the batter. I’m a little worried about how these pancakes are going to turn out. I think the two bags of chocolate chips are a recipe for disaster, literally.

Walking over to the other side of Blake in front of the stove, I grab the skillet and the bacon. “I’m going to make the whole package. I’m starving and I think the girls have officially ruined the pancakes.” Blake turns his body slightly to watch Kyndall while she tries to mix the pancake batter by herself since Nycole has moved on to setting the table. We both laugh at her determined expression. “No, that seems about right. I remember her making that face last time.”

I turn back to face the skillet. “Well, just in case.”

The rest of the cooking goes smoothly. We only had one egg not make it into the bowl…not too bad, especially since it was Blake who had to clean it up. With all the food finally ready, we all migrate to the table. I compliment them on the beautiful centerpiece they created. All of Blake’s roses are bobbing up and down, floating in a lemonade pitcher full of water. Well – it’s the thought that counts.

The girls rush and grab their seats. I plate up their food and Blake delivers it to the table for them. They crack up when he brings them their plate, sets it down in front of them, and bows as he says, “My lady, breakfast is served.” He does this each time he brings one of them their breakfast and they laugh every time.

I peek around the corner to watch his deliveries and I can’t fight the smile on my face. I love to see the girls so happy. It makes my heart feel like it’s going to explode. I make my way back to the counter and lean against it with my arms crossed and a goofy grin on my face. “You’re ridiculous,” I say when Blake once again enters the kitchen.

He walks right up to me and leans past me to grab the salt. His whole body brushes against mine. I grin to myself because I know he’s doing this on purpose. But I allow it because it feels too good not to. I lean into him and he puts his arm over my shoulder. I can feel my pulse racing. My whole body responds to his.

He puts his hand under my hair and places it on the back of my neck, pulling me even closer. I turn my head to place my cheek on his shoulder and my nose in his neck. I inhale deeply and wrap my arms around his waist. He turns so that we’re now standing with our entire bodies touching. Every part of me is pulsating. He moves his hand to gather my hair and gently pulls it to the side. He bends his head down and places his forehead on my exposed neck. I grab his shirt and pull him as close as I can. I can’t seem to be close enough.

“Mommy!” I involuntarily jump when I hear Rylie. “Nycole is spitting her pancake out into the trash!”

I knew it!

Blake lifts his head and places a warm, gentle kiss on my neck, lingering a little before releasing me. Chills break out all over my body.

“I think you’re being summoned.” He clears his throat and raises his head to meet my eyes. Releasing my hair, he runs his fingers over the place on my neck where he just kissed and smiles. Jerking his head to the table he says, “Go ahead. I’ll bring you a plate.” Blake turns away and I feel cold as the warmth from his body leaves mine.

I can’t speak because my mouth is completely parched now, so I just nod my head in response. I push myself off the counter to leave the kitchen. Before exiting, I stop and turn around. With Blake’s back to me, I watch him prepare our plates. “Blake?”

He turns around and his eyes follow me as I walk up to him. Using the same body graze technique he used on me, I reach around and grab the spatula. I pull back slowly, deliberately pressing my body against his, and give him a wink.

“Extra bacon please. Sounds like the pancakes are inedible.” Without another word, I hand him the spatula and I walk out of the kitchen. I can’t help but be pleased with myself.

Two can play at this game, buddy.

“I’m taking off tomorrow to get ready for Rylie’s surprise party.” Blake and I are standing beside each other doing the dishes from breakfast. Well, he’s rinsing them and I’m loading them into the dishwasher. We discussed Rylie’s birthday at breakfast. Although her birthday isn’t until Thursday, we have a tradition that started after Derek passed.

I throw them a surprise party. The excitement is in the anticipation. All they know is that it’s sometime during the week of their birthday. I invite some of their friends and Nancy and John always come. My parents usually can’t make it because they live so far away, but I always tell them when it is so they can call for birthday wishes. Tomorrow is Rylie’s.“I have a lot to do. I just wanted to tell you so you don’t waste your time going to the office to pick me up for lunch.” He hands me a plate.

“Well, I’d be happy to come by here and pick you up. You still have to eat, right?” I place the plate in the dishwasher and look back up at him. “I’ll eat, no need to worry about that.” I give him an ornery smile. “I just can’t go
out
to eat. I have too much to do. Presents, cake, balloons, banner…I don’t think you understand the Meyer surprise party. It’s kind of a big deal.” I bring up the door to the dishwasher and push it closed with my hip.

Blake leans with his back against the sink drying his hands. “Want some help? I don’t really have any plans tomorrow. I’ll have my cell in case anyone from work needs to get a hold of me. I don’t mind. I’m actually really good at blowing up balloons,” he says with a smile.

Do I think it is safe to spend the day with Blake alone in my house?
Definitely not.
“Sure.”

Wait! What? Argh – Freakin’ subconscious!

Blake’s smile gets wider. “Great! I’m looking forward to it.” He throws the towel over his shoulder. “We done in here?”