After murmuring something about self-confidence, she squared her shoulders. “We haven’t known each other long, yet sometimes it feels like years. You’re easy to talk to, and we laugh a lot.”
He wanted to add that the sex was amazing, but kept quiet.
“Here’s my question. Do we have a chance at a real relationship?”
“Aren’t we in one of those now?”
“I mean a relationship with a future.”
Talk about blindsiding him. His mind stumbled around, searching for an answer. She stared at him expectantly. “Where did that come from?” was all he came up with.
“Just answer the question.”
At the moment, impossible. “I really like you, Vi. You know that.”
“But?”
“I won’t lie. It’s too soon to commit.”
“I’m aware of your feelings, but that’s not what I’m asking about. I want to know if in the furthest stretch of your imagination you see a future for us.”
Heck if he knew. Hadn’t thought that far ahead. “This is a complete surprise. Can I let you know later?”
“Sure.”
The way she said it and the dismissive flick of her hand prompted him to ask another question. “We’ll still see each other in the meantime, right?”
“I don’t think so, Blake.”
Oh, man. “But you said…I thought…When did you decide this?”
“The day after the wedding. The vows Gran and Malcom exchanged and the obvious love between them really made me think. I want to be with a man interested in settling down and starting a family.”
He couldn’t have been more stunned if she’d sprouted a tree on her head. He realized his jaw was on the floor and shut his mouth.
“Call me when you’ve made up your mind.”
“We can’t see each other till then?” he repeated.
“I don’t think so. Congratulations on the store opening. I’m glad it’s a success.”
She exited his office, said goodbye to Ross and Joanie, and left.
After Vi’s unexpected departure,Blake’s two employees stared at him with mixtures of sympathy and confusion. “You eavesdropped,” he accused them.
“Didn’t need to,” Joanie said. “We heard it all.”
Should’ve thought of soundproofing.
Ross shook his head. “By the look on your face, she crushed you.”
“I’m in shock,” Blake admitted. “She caught me totally by surprise.”
“That was obvious. You blew it, man.”
Blake scrubbed his hand over his face. “It just happened and hasn’t sunk in yet, so lay off.”
Joanie bit her lip. “I’m sorry, Blake. I think I know what Vi’s talking about. Jack and I have been happily married for almost twelve years, but there was a time while we were dating when I got tired of us going along, getting along without any idea if he wanted a future with me. I asked him if we were ever going to get married. Like you, he didn’t have an answer. We broke up for almost three months before he wised up.”
