Blake wasn’t like David at all. Though David had only made that one comment, it had stuck with her.
“Anyway, the next time he brought it up, I said I was ready.”
“But you weren’t?” Blake asked.
“Not at all. I wanted to throw up immediately after I said it.” That rolling in her stomach should have been a sign. “I want to be married. Marriage itself doesn’t bother me. But I always felt like being married to David would be like walking a tightrope—terrifying and almost impossible. I kept waiting for things to feel right, but they never did. Then, we’d been together so long that I didn’t know how to tell him things felt wrong.”
Blake rubbed his thumb in calming circles over the back of her hand. That rhythmic motion had the tension in her shoulders dissipating by the second.
“What feels right to you?” Blake asked.
“You.” She’d answered without thinking, but the truth didn’t need a second thought. Blake had her heart, and she would trust him over and over.
Blake took a few deep breaths as he stepped closer, brushing his thumb over her jaw. “I feel it too.”
The air in Everly’s lungs evaporated, and her face flamed. “But it can’t happen right now?”
Why did that sound like a question instead of a statement? She knew it couldn’t, but part of her wanted things to be different–she wanted to run after the relationship she wanted with Blake. She wanted him to kiss her right now.
“No. I made a promise to Ridge, and besides that, it’s the right thing to do. We should wait.”
“I know,” Everly whispered. This wasn’t the way she wanted their relationship to begin either. They could wait.
Blake lifted her hand, the one he’d been holding, and cradled it to his chest. “When you get out of here, we can have it all.”
Everly grinned. “Sounds like you’re ready to kick me out.”
Blake squeezed her hand. “Never. You need a place to stay more than you need a boyfriend right now. I’ll still be here. I’m not going anywhere. I know it sounds stupid to say we need to separate to be closer, but we do. I can’t think straight when you fill up every thought in my day. It consumes me, and I can’t breathe without seeing your face. It’s too much and not enough.”
Everly exhaled an unsteady breath. How had Blake so clearly explained her own thoughts? It was like looking into a mirror. “I know. You’re more patient than I am.”
Blake kissed her hand before letting it go. “I’ve had years to perfect my patience.”
“I do sort of have good news. The realtor sent over the links to some other properties I might like. I’m going to look at them in the morning.”
“Good. Just don’t rush into something because of this.” He pointed back and forth between them. “Get the house you want and know that I’ll be here.”
“Thank you,” Everly whispered.
“Also, remember that Jameson and Ava are getting married really soon.” Blake wiggled his brows.
“I do intend to take advantage of that offer after the wedding.”
“I’m not rushing you out,” Blake said quickly.
“I know. I really need to get out of here.” Despite the heaviness of the evening, Everly found herself laughing.
Blake looked down at his shirt. “I need to get cleaned up.”
“And I need to finish up some work before bed. I have to be up early to look at those houses before work.”
“Then I guess this is good night,” Blake whispered, leaning close to rest his forehead against hers.
A small movement would seal her lips to his. If she lifted her chin, the torturous wait would be over.
But Blake pulled away before she’d worked up the courage to kiss him. Who was she kidding? She’d never be bold enough to make the first move.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she whispered. As much as she wanted to keep talking in the kitchen, she needed some of that distance they’d been talking about.