8. Luke
Luke
Ifollow Blake through the aisles of the bookstore, trying to keep my composure.
I hadn’t expected to run into her today, but since I have, it is impossible not to be captivated by her.
Her long red hair tumbles over her shoulders, and the depths of her brown eyes seem to light up with every new book she finds, but my favorite part is the way her bright red lips move when she speaks.
It’s something small, and has been sweeping me off my feet since she was in college, a sexy little change to her appearance she adopted back then.
Every time I see her my mind drifts back, glad it’s a change defining her signature look.
However, for her, it’s more than just her signature look-it’s a defining trait setting her apart from every other woman in every room she enters. It isn’t just the color.
Though the bold, bright red is eye-catching and unapologetically vibrant, it is the way she wears it with such confidence; it’s sexy as hell. It’s as if her lips are a canvas for her personality.
She has several books in her hand at this point, and not one has caught my attention. I’ve been too distracted to skim any of them over.
I pick up a few of them and pretend to read the back, when all I’m actually doing is taking her in over the cover.
She picks up a novel from a shelf marked “New Releases,” and holds it up. “No way, they have it! What do you think of this one?” ‘Evermore’ by Amber Marlowe is sprawled across the cover. “It’s supposed to be a thrilling mystery with just a touch of romance, plus she’s one of my favorite authors.”
I take the book from her and examine the cover. The dark design and intriguing blurb on the back catch my interest. “This looks promising. I’m definitely in if you are.”
Her face brightens, and she nods enthusiastically. “Great! Let’s read this one. How about we meet in a week to talk about it? And then again in two weeks when we’ve finished?”
Romance is not a genre I read, but I love mysteries, and for her, I would read absolutely anything.
“Sounds perfect,” I confirm, trying to mask the excitement stirring inside me at the thought of spending more time with her. It is a simple innocent plan, but it gives me something to look forward to. I need a distraction.
We walk a little more, and I’m surprised when she wanders into the nonfiction section.
“Look at how beautiful this glass of whisky is on the cover of this book. This artwork is freaking amazing. The detail in the ice cubes and the strong amber color. It’s amazing,” she says, holding out a book for me to see.
“Mixology Magic, huh? I thought you only read romance. Is this for work?” I ask.
“I do. This is for education, not for fun. I’ve been saving money to open a bar of my own. I listen to a lot of podcasts and read up on different things related to business, mixology, and a bunch of other stuff so I can get it off the ground someday. It’s a pipe dream for sure,” she shares softly.
“Damn Blake, give yourself a little credit. You are so confident-one of my favorite things about you.” I scrunch my brows, “Doubt doesn’t look good on you.
You’re already doing it, you’re putting in the work and the time to invest in this plan.
That’s what it is, a plan. Not a dream. Definitely not a fucking pipe dream.
A solid plan, and if you ask me, an amazing one. ”
She stares at me for a moment and bites her lower lip, sending a wave of heat through me. “Thanks Luke. But how can you be so sure when you barely know anything about it?”
“Because you, Blake, are incredible.” I pause, trying to catch my breath.
“Incredibly talented, and driven, and you take life by the balls. Everything you do is amazing, and you’ll make sure this is too.
Now, tell me about your plan. I’m dying to know what’s spinning around in that gorgeous mind of yours.
I have a feeling it’s something I’d love to get lost in.
” With a gentle stroke of my knuckles across her cheek, the air between us disappears.
Every time she smiles or laughs, I feel a pang of longing, a reminder of the feelings I’d been trying to suppress.
Even though she is my little sister’s best friend and we are twelve years apart, my attraction to her is undeniable.
It is only now, at this moment, I’m finally allowing myself the liberty of submitting to what I already knew-these feelings are more than just a fleeting infatuation, a crush intensified by a loveless marriage.
Truth be told, I started falling for her during a visit back for Christmas when she was in college, only cemented in the last time I saw her.
Blake McKenzie has occupied so many of my dreams over the last few years and she is pure fucking perfection, always has been.
When we finally say our goodbyes and go our separate ways, I can’t shake the thoughts of Blake from my mind. My day at the ER is a blur of patients and procedures, every spare moment filled with thoughts of her.
I remember the moment I first realized I was in love with her during a visit home for Christmas.
Noel and I had been struggling for a while by then, and Blake’s unexpected presence had brought a brightness to an otherwise gloomy day back home.
She walked into my parents’ house bundled in a fluffy white jacket and plaid scarf.
“Luke, I’m going to go upstairs and watch tv,” Noel said in a flat tone, void of any emotion.
She felt awfully distant, but I hadn’t exactly been the most attentive spouse either.
“Sounds good. I’m going to hang out. I’ll be up in a bit.”
I walked into the living room and there stood Blake, snow dusted her boots and her nose was red from the cold air outside. Her red lips, glossy and full, stole my attention.
I wondered what it would feel like to kiss those lips.
“Hey Luke,” she greeted me with a huge smile and an even bigger hug. A hint of vanilla and honey lingered on my shirt for hours.
We spent the entire night laughing and telling stories with April in my parents’ living room by the Christmas tree. When dad broke out a game of Left, Right, Center, I realized it had been hours since I’d seen Noel.
“Dad, while you set up, I’m going to check on Noel, see if she wants to come join the fun.”
Mom shifted in her seat, and no one made eye contact. I know Noel is not exactly everyone’s favorite, but she’s my wife, I thought.
I walked upstairs and heard Noels’ voice through the cracked door, but her words were muffled. When I walked in she rushed her phone conversation and hung up.
“Who are you talking to?” I asked, though the answer was not particularly intriguing to me.
“Just wishing my sister a Merry Christmas,” she said but her tone was flat.
“We are playing games, wanna join?”
“No, I have a headache, so I’m going to try to sleep.”
“Ok.”
In our relationship, “I have a headache” was usually code for “I want to fight” and I wasn’t interested in another fight, so I closed the door and rejoined everyone else down stairs.
The only open chair was next to Blake, and our seamless interactions as we played games were a stark contrast to the forced conversations and touches between Noel and me.
I wished April and my parents would go to bed so I could spend time with Blake-alone.
In hindsight, I’m glad they didn’t because I’m not sure I could have kept my hands off of Blake that night, and cheating on Noel was not something I could live with.
I take a sip of my coffee. For some reason, now those feelings feel even more real. Her scent of honey and vanilla linger in my memory long after she is gone, and if I try hard enough right now, I can almost smell it all around me as if it’s a lit candle nearby.
A momentary lull in the ER affords me a much needed break.
Finally, I have time to just sit in my thoughts about her.
I should get a jump on the book she was so excited to read.
I find a quiet spot in the break room, pull it out, and start reading.
The prologue grabs me immediately with its dark setting and mysterious tone.
I find myself so engrossed in my thoughts I almost lose track of time.
As I reach for my phone to text Blake, it buzzes with a text from her. My heart races as I read her message.
Blake: OMG! Just started reading. The prologue is so fucking AMAZING! I want to climb inside this damn book!
A smirk curls my lips as I type back.
Me: I’m a few pages in too. It is pretty damn great. Good pick. I’m already hooked.
Blake: Right! It’s like the story has its own gravity, pulling me in. I’m excited to see where it goes.
Me: Same here. It’s great to have something to look forward to. Thanks for the idea! See you in a week.
Just as I went to put my phone away, it buzzed with another message from Blake. When I read it, my smirk turns into a full-blown smile.
Blake: I’ve really missed you. I’m looking forward to our time together—let’s make it unforgettable. ??
Me: I’ve missed you too, B.
As I set my phone down, I feel a rush of mixed feelings. This book, this connection with Blake, it is all more than I was expecting when I moved back.
My excitement is clouded by a pang in my chest. I’m genuinely curious how April will take this.
She used to get annoyed at the idea of Blake flirting with her big brother.
Is she going to lose her shit when she hears we’re spending time together-alone-or will she be excited we are finally making a connection?