Chapter 21
Vi didn’t see Blake’s car when she arrived at the 709, but with the lot nearly full—why was that?—he could already be there. The day had warmed considerably, enough that she’d left her jacket behind and changed into a springtime outfit. Wearing a sun hat and shades, she headed for their agreed meeting place outside the entrance. On a day like this, she was happy simply to be outdoors.
That and seeing Blake. Helping the grandparents, too, of course. Carmie’s words about building self-confidence stuck with her. She straightened her back in a pose that radiated confidence and silently reminded herself that she was a warm person with a bright spirit. Beautiful too, even if she wasn’t.
He was waiting for her this time in jeans and a teal-color, short-sleeve shirt similar to the one last night. In Aviator sunglasses, he could easily pass as a celebrity under cover, especially with his shaggy hair. Her heart lifted and she let out an admiring sigh. She couldn’t help but remember the feel of his arms around her and his lips on hers.
As she drew closer to him, he flashed the genuine smile that filled her with both joy and fear. Being warm with a bright spirit didn’t mean she wasn’t afraid of her feelings.
“You look like spring incarnate in that dress,” he said.
So sweet. “Thanks. It’s that kind of day.”
“Let’s walk and talk.”
“For another strategy session, right? Other than a quick glance around, I haven’t explored the grounds,” she said as they started along the cement pathway in the back. “Any idea why the parking lot is so full?”
“My guess is, it’s a mixture of the weather and people wanting to visit friends and family who live here.”
That made sense. Adults and kids walking the opposite direction nodded and smiled as they crossed paths. Vi loved that. “Everyone is friendly and the landscaping is so beautiful. Even the artificial lake and fountain. And look at the flowers! I had no idea there were so many here. Another reason why Gran likes this place so much. There are the tennis courts she and Malcom mentioned. This feels like a park with outdoor activities. So, what’s our goal with the grandparents?”
“We’ll get to that after we talk about last night.”
“I thought we already did. We both enjoyed it. What else is there to say?”
Due to his shades, she couldn’t see his eyes. He wasn’t smiling. “Do you want to see me again?”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing now?”
He made a sound of disgust. “This avoidance thing you have is getting old. Every time I mention you and me—us—you either ignore me or change the subject. What’s with that?”
Caught off-guard, she frowned. “Nothing, because I don’t do it.”
“You just did. I asked if you want to see me again and your answer is we’re seeing each other now when you know I mean in the future. Going out together, talking and getting to know more about each other, either with friends or alone like last night. Do you want that or not?”
Talk about an ambush. She flipped her sunglasses up and eyed him. “You bring that up here, around a bunch of people? For all you know, someone who recognizes us could tell Malcom or Gran. I don’t want them knowing anything about us together.”
“Gossip doesn’t bother me. You won’t talk about us when we’re alone, so why not here? I can’t read your mind, Vi. Let me in.”
He sounded like Carmie and Rose, darn him. “I thought I did on the patio last night.”
“We fooled around some, but I want to know what you’re thinking.”
“I, um…” Unsure what to say, she went silent.
She wanted him to let her off the hook, but he grasped her arm and steered her to an empty bench under a flowering tree. “You can’t weasel out this time. Talk to me and no tricks.”
By the set of his jaw, he meant business. “All right. Yes, I want to see more of you, and yes, I want to continue where we left off last night.” Which was the truth. She wasn’t about to share her fear that she’d end up broken-hearted, didn’t want him to know she was half in love with him. “But I don’t want to rush into having sex,” she added, remembering another piece of wisdom from Carmie to slow down.
“Which is why we—I—stopped last night,” he said.
“And a good thing. I got a little carried away.”
“An easy thing to do when were alone together.”
“So how are we supposed to slow down?” she asked.
“By agreeing to do it and sticking to that.”
“Even when we’re crazy wild for more?”
“Even then.”
“Pinky swear?”
He laughed. “My sister used to make me do that. By the way, she wants to meet you.”
“What?” Vi was confused. “How does she even know about me?”
“Your name came up. She’s interested in meeting the granddaughter of the woman Malcom wants to marry.”
“Or used to want to marry—we’re still in the dark, and from what we know, things seem pretty iffy.”
“With them, we can’t be sure of anything. ”
“We haven’t discussed that yet. Isn’t that why we’re here?”
“Maybe I wanted to see you, too. Let’s walk.” They stood up and continued along the path. “If you want to meet my sister, you’ll have to come to her house. She’d like that. You’re good company and she’s starved for contact with people.”
“That’s right, she’s bedridden. I guess so, but it’ll have to be on a weekend. I’m going to be really busy at work.”
“A corporate vice president. It bears repeating that I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me, too.” Admitting it made her feel bold and confident. She decided to use some of that self-assurance to ask a question. “At the club last night, you told Devin we’re together. Why did you say it?”
“Because he needed to back off.”
She’d hoped to hear something more, that he wanted them to be a couple, even for a little while. Wrong, and she tried to hide her disappointment. “That’s what I thought.”
“Hold on, there.” His turn to push his shades up to the top of his head. “Are you saying you want us to be together?”
“You’re not interested in anything long-term. I’m not sure I am, either.” Untrue, but a little fib couldn’t hurt. “But yes, I’d like that, as long as we keep our heads on straight.” And she held on to her heart, or at least buried her feelings.
“I can get on board with that. Do you want to go riding with me sometime? I keep thinking about your comment that you used a bike mostly for chores. The ride I have in mind would be strictly fun. Hey, we should bike to see my sister.”
“How far away is she?”
“A mile or two from my place. You could drive over and we’ll leave from there.”
Vi liked the idea. “Let’s do it. I’ll rent a bike from your store.”
“I’m thinking you can test-drive my favorite new model, the same kind I rode to your place during that storm. I want your take on it.”
“Even if I’m out of shape?”
“It’ll be a good way for me to gauge whether it’d work well for all levels of cyclist.”
“I’m flattered you chose me.”
“She said yes!” he said and grinned. “Now, about the grandparents. You’re the idea whiz kid. What’s your suggestion?”
“I’m a whiz kid,” she said, gleefully blowing on her fingernails and rubbing them on her upper chest.
“You sure are. Your idea to rehire employees either as temps or permanently got you a huge promotion. Tell me what you’ve come up with for Grandpop and Caroline.”
She shared the plan she’d hatched earlier that day. “First, we visit Gran together. Then we escort her to Malcom’s unit and refuse to leave till they talk. Or vice versa.”
“If they’re both home.”
“If not, we’ll track them down.”
Doubtful the grandparentcounseling thing would work, but ready to give it his best, Blake headed with Vi to sign in at the front desk. Lots of activity there with Charlotte overseeing visitors coming and going. They waited awhile for their turn.
“You’d think they were lined up to buy tickets to a concert,” Vi muttered under her breath.
“There’s no rush.”
“I can’t help it,” she said again in the low voice. “I want to get this done.”
“And we will,” he assured her, directly into her ear. She wore small earrings with cat faces, the same size as her pale yellow earring flowers last night. He’d noticed them when he’d kissed her just below the earlobe and she’d tilted her head for him. “Cute kitty earrings,” he added, close enough that his lips brushed the sensitive place.
Vi shivered, and the urge to plant a lingering kiss there grabbed hold of him. She pulled away. “Stop,” she scolded, all no-nonsense.
She had a point. He behaved himself. At last, they took their turn at the desk. He greeted Charlotte with his usual grin. “Don’t you ever take a day off?” he asked as he signed in.
“I’m filling in for Dean. His daughter’s getting married this afternoon. Don’t you love weddings?” She smiled at them.
If she thought he and Vi were headed that direction, she was mistaken. “They’re all right. You remember Vi.”
“Of course. I haven’t seen you since last week, Vi. Welcome back.”
“Thanks. It sure is busy today.”
“You know how weekends can be.”
Despite the line of people waiting to sign in, there was no one at the elevator. Eager to get Vi alone for a few minutes, he nudged her into the empty car as soon as the door opened.
“Now who’s in a rush?” she asked.
“I am.” Usually slow elevators bugged him. Not today. Refusing to waste a second, he pulled her close for a string of sizzling kisses. By the time the car beeped their arrival at the sixth floor, he was way too turned on.
“What was that for?” she asked, looking dazed. “I thought we agreed to slow down.”
“It’s not like we’re doing anything wild. We’re seeing each other and had a little time to ourselves, so why not make good use of it? Also, we needed a distraction before we meet with our grandparents. This is the first time, and as prickly as they both are, things could get dicey.”
“No, Blake, not the first time. At dinner the night they sprung their engagement on us, then again at the Sea Captain’s Café.”
“But we haven’t gone as a couple to visit them here in their units.”
“I don’t know that I’d call us a couple,” she said.
“What would you call it?”
“Seeing each other, period. To me, the word ‘couple’ signifies a commitment we don’t have.”
Talk about nitpicky. “In my book, if we’re seeing each other, we’re in a relationship, which qualifies as a couple. You okay with that?”
“I guess,” Vi said. “Call it what you want as long as they don’t get any ideas about this thing between us. Their attention ought to be focused on making up and reconnecting, not on you and me. I think we should see Gran first. Malcom’s more stubborn than she is and might not want to go to her unit.”
“Fine with me.” Vi’s hair needed combing. “Hold still,” he said and smoothed it for her. “Better, but you might want to check for yourself.”
She dug in her purse for a comb and mirror. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It looks like we’ve been in bed together.” She blushed, which was cute. “I wish I didn’t have flyaway hair. That’s why I wear it pulled back at work. Yours is nice and thick. I envy that.”
“Feel free to run your fingers through it any time. One more thing.” The hallway was deserted, but to be safe, he backed her behind a large plant before kissing her again.
Despite her dreamy expression, she made an exasperated sound. “You’re crazy, know that?”
“I like kissing you.” She didn’t reply. “I like kissing you,” he repeated, raising his eyebrows.
“Oh, you expect me to comment. It’s not easy to pull myself together after such mind-blowing kisses.” She flashed a bright smile. “Is that good enough?”
“I’ll take it. Ready?”
She nodded. “Good luck to both of us.”
They made their way to Caroline’s door. Vi rang the doorbell, waited, and then knocked twice. No answer. “Maybe she’s in the bathroom.”
“Or she went out.”
“I’ll try her cell phone.” She punched in the number. After a moment, she sighed. “She’s not answering. Wherever she is, I’ll bet her phone’s off. I wish she’d remember to turn it on. Hi, Gran. I stopped by to see you but you’re out and not answering your phone. Call me, okay?” She disconnected and blew out a frustrated breath. “Well, crap.”
“I hear that. Let’s go to Grandpop’s place.”
Again, no one answered the door. This time, Blake made the call. “I’ll put it on speaker,” he said. To his surprise, his grandfather answered after three rings. “Hello, Blake.”
He didn’t sound at all happy about the call. Blake heard voices and a few unrecognizable noises in the background. “Where are you?”
“At the Mercedes dealership, looking at new models. They’re searching for another gold one. If they don’t find it, they’ll repaint the one I buy. Hold on.” Grandpop muted his phone, then came back. “I have to go.”
“When will you be home?” Blake asked, but the man had disconnected. He shook his head. “The night of the accident he said he wanted to buy a new car, but I didn’t expect him to go out looking this soon. It hasn’t been that long since the accident.”
“If he’s shopping today, he must be feeling a lot better. We know where Malcom is. Now we have to find Gran.”
“Let’s drive to the Mercedes showroom and find out if he knows anything.”
They entered the elevator and punched the ground floor. Alone this time, too, Blake reached for Vi. But the elevator pinged and stopped on the fifth floor, putting an end to another steamy kiss. As the door slid open, they jerked apart.
He recognized the man and woman who entered. They seemed both surprised and extremely interested, and he figured they’d caught a glimpse of him and Vi in action. Talk about embarrassing.
“Hi,” he said. “I’m Malcom’s grandson, Blake. Meet Vi.”
“Caroline’s daughter,” she clarified.
“Hello, Vi. We’re Bud and Connie Henderson.”
“Are you two in a relationship?” Connie asked.
Blake preferred not to answer. “Nice out today,” he said. “We’d hoped to stop in and say hello, but both our grandparents are out. I was able to reach Malcom.”
“But I can’t reach Caroline,” Vi said. “She’s not home and not answering her phone.”
“I haven’t seen either of them.” Connie smiled as if she knew a secret. “I’m sure they’ll turn up somewhere.”
“What’s up with people shooting us mysterious smiles?” Blake asked. “Do they know something we don’t?”
“It’s like they think we’re in a serious relationship, We’re not.”
“You’re right about that.”