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“I was tied up with thoughts of you, Jen,” he said as he drove off into the sunset. They took a breezy ride through the side road of the beaches and into the city.
“You had anything to eat yet?”
“No,” Jen murmured quietly. Did she hear correctly? Blake was tied up with thoughts about her.
“I couldn’t work yesterday. I had to cancel my meeting.”
“You? Why?”
“Like I said, I’ve never met anyone like you, Jen. You did something to me the other night that terrified me.”
“Oh? What was that?”
“I’m falling in love with you.”
“That terrifies you?
“The thought of being close to anyone again. You have to understand, Jen, that I’m a complicated man. I’ve suffered many losses in my life and it takes a lot for me to be close to anyone.”
Jen swallowed hard remembering about his mother’s passing.
“Well, I was contemplating what to do. I knew then that I couldn’t live my life without you. That’s what terrifies me. Wanting someone so much and fearing losing them,” he said in a low, deep voice as he stopped near the dock of the lake.
Jen looked around. The sun was setting beautifully. She saw a few yachts parked at the dock. “You own one of these?” she gaped.
“This one right here.”
She looked at the beautiful, large white boat with multiple levels in awe.
“I thought you might like dinner by the lake tonight.”
“Oh, Blake.”
A grin touched his lips and he held her, sending quivers down her spine. A pianist sat on the deck of the ship playing a beautiful ballad. Jen could not believe this. She thought she was in some music video or romantic film. This all seemed larger than life. At least larger than the life she was used to.
“Oh, Blake. This is all…beautiful. You did this for me?” she said turning around to meet his dark, sexy gaze.
“I did it for us, Jen,” he murmured as he leaned to kiss her on the forehead.
Jen reached up to kiss his lips, gently.
“I thought about what you said. Stopping to smell the roses. I’m going to do just that.”
“I think that’s wonderful, Blake.”
He took her hand and led her up to the top deck where she was seated by the waiter on board. The cool breeze from the lake gently brushed her skin. She did not envision having this sort of evening after work but it was a dream come true.
“I was going to offer you a permanent job with my company…”
“Oh?”
“Well, yes. And the offer is still good. However, I want you to be a permanent part of my life, too.”
Jen flushed. She didn’t know what to say. “Blake….I…”
“Just tell me that you love me.”
“I do. I love you so much. I was going crazy when I thought you didn’t want anything to do with me.”
“Why would you think that?” Blake looked puzzled as the waiter poured their wine.
“Because…well, you didn’t call last night.”
Blake grinned. “I truly am sorry, Jen. It was not my intention to mislead you into thinking I didn’t care.”
Jen gushed as his gaze met hers in the dim light of the yacht. The sound of the waves whooshing against the boat was surprisingly calming.
“So where do we go from here?” Jen asked quietly.
Blake reached over and held her hands across the table. “I want you to be a part of my life, Jen. You’re the most beautiful gift I received at the flower shop the day I first met you.”
Jen looked down at the candle lit ornament on the table. “Thank you, Blake. You’re the best gift, I got, too. Your friendship means so much to me. You mean so much to me.”
Blake took her hand and kissed it softly.
“A couple months ago, I lost my full time job and…my ex. Now…” Jen drew in a deep breath. It was as if she had to lose to gain. What were the odds of that happening? “I can’t believe it. It’s like they say, every cloud has a silver lining. If I hadn’t taken the job at the flower shop, I would have never met you.”
“And if I hadn’t taken a chance on asking you out, I would have missed a precious relationship.”
