Page 57 of Tides and Tidings

Her words landed like a ton of bricks. I know the two of us needed some “adult time.” Blythe makes an effort for quality time after Wren goes to bed, but by that point, we’re both too tired and end up watching television until one of us passes out on the couch.

“I don’t think they would mind one bit.”

Blythe looked up at me with raindrops dripping down her face. “Your parents are awesome.”

They both have been the biggest help to me since Wren was born. “They are.”

The rain started to slow to a steady drizzle instead of a monsoon. “We should make a mad dash for the hotel,” Blythe suggested.

I nodded toward her shoes on the sidewalk, “Do you want to put those back on?”

“Hell no. It’s not far. I’ll walk barefoot.” Her words were slightly slurred.

“That doesn’t seem safe…”

Blythe shook her head. “Listen,” she held her hand up to stop me right there, “I’ve walked through big cities without shoes on after a long night. This is nothing.”

“That just sounds like something bad hasn’t happened…yet.”

“Keep your negativity to yourself, you oaf.”

I love that when Blythe wants to call me out on something, she refers to me as an oaf. Most guys would take offense to it, but with Blythe, I know it’s her weird way of being endearing when she disagrees with my viewpoint.

Blythe reached down, grabbed her shoes, and walked over to me. She moved a piece of my dripping hair out of my face, “You’re drenched.”

The slight brush of her hand against my face sent an electric shock down my spine. No woman I had ever dated had an effect on me quite like Blythe has.

“No shit.” A small laugh escaped as I took her in. “The rain is washing your makeup off your face.”

Her hands flew up to her cheeks and she wiped away a stream of black mascara. “I should’ve spent three extra dollars and got the waterproof one.”

“Can we discuss your makeup once we get back to our room? I would love not to have this conversation while battered with rain.”

“So unadventurous.” Blythe deadpanned before taking off in a sprint towards the hotel.

“Wait for me!” I yelled behind her.

“Catch up!” Blythe started to jog backward so I could catch up to her.

I took a few large strides and was at her side. I wove my fingers with hers, “Want to make a mad dash for it?”

“Do you need to hold my hand so you can keep up?” She teased. Her green eyes sparkled under the streetlights.

“Are you challenging me to a race, ma’am?” I taunted back.

Blythe shrugged as the rain dripped down her face, “Maybe I am.”

I formulated a plan. “Let’s make this fun. We’ll race from that light,” I pointed to the lamp post at the end of the street, “to the entrance of the hotel.”

Blythe’s interest was piqued, “What does the winner get?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. I needed a good prize.

“Winner gets whatever sexual favor they want tonight.”

She raised a brow, “Is that so?” She thought for a moment. “Anything at all?”

“Anything at all.”