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She nodded, ready for them to all leave. She wondered if they’d pawed through any of her things—or any of Joy’s upstairs. One by one, they left, and once the front door was again closed and locked, Lauren sighed and faced Blake.

“I’ll get the food,” he said.

“Wait,” she said, so many things flying around inside her brain. “I—I don’t have to work today, because I lost my job.”

Blake’s eyes widened, and he wasted no time in hesitant reactions. He swooped her into his arms and said, “I’m so sorry.”

“It wasn’t really my fault,” she said. She still clung to him like she needed him to hold her up. It sure was nice to be held in a difficult time, and she didn’t release him right away. He finally did step back, and she added, “I have savings, so I’m going to take some time before I look for something else.”

His blue eyes roamed her face, and he clearly had something he wanted to say. “What would you look for? Something here?”

She ducked her head, pleasure filling her. She reached for him, her fingertips playing with the buttons on his shirt as they moved up toward his collar. “Why? Are you worried I’m going to leave Hilton Head?”

“Yes,” he whispered.

She looked up and into his eyes. “I’m not much into long-distance dating,” he said. “I can barely keep my head above water with my son on Carter’s Cove. I don’t want you to leave Hilton Head.” He might as well have parted the clouds and opened heaven. Conjured up some angels to sing majestic songs for her.

Lauren wrapped her hands around the back of his neck, and if he’d lower his head, she could kiss him. He didn’t, and she figured it was probably too soon for kissing anyway. She hadn’t even told him she’d like to see him again. Cass and Harrison had been off on their honeymoon for three days now, and they’d be gone for another ten.

“So you brought lunch today,” she said as he settled his hands on her hips. “Do you want to take me to dinner sometime soon?” She looked at him, hoping he could feel the flirty vibe and pure charge between them.

“I’d like that,” he said. “I’m taking Tommy to his mother’s tonight. Tomorrow?”

“I suppose I can wait until tomorrow.” She grinned at him, and Blake returned it.

He released her and stepped over to the door. “I’ll grab the food.” He opened the door and then turned back to her. “Does this mean you want to start dating? Strings attached and all that?”

“Yeah,” Lauren said. She reached up and brushed her hair out of her face. “That’s what I’m saying. Strings attached.”

His face burst into a shining star. “Great,” he said. “I’ll be right back.” He jogged outside, the door drifting open as he left. She went to close it, because the last thing she needed was a repeat of the alarm and then more cops showing up.

“Listen,” Blake said as he opened the door and came inside with one of the fanciest brown bags Lauren had ever seen. “I know I messed up last time, but I really do have a job for you at my firm.”

He met her eyes with trepidation in his. “I’d love to tell you about it if you’d like.”

Lauren cocked her head and appraised him. “Depends on what’s in that bag.” She nodded to it and laughed lightly. It felt good to have told someone about her job, though she hadn’t gone into specifics. Blake would surely ask, but Lauren wouldn’t mind telling him.

She’d harbored the news to herself for long enough, and she’d tell Joy tonight too. Then, she’d spill the beans at Supper Club once Cass returned from her honeymoon.

“Oh, you’re gonna like what’s in this bag.” Blake’s smile rivaled the sun in brightness. “Come see.” He went past her and toward the kitchen, and Lauren turned and went with him.

With him.

It felt really nice to be…with him.

7

Blake felt like he’d just blown on some dice and tossed them down the craps table. Lauren hailed from Texas, so it wasn’t a huge stretch to assume she liked meat. Red meat. Beef.

He set the brown paper back on the counter and looked at her, really playing up what was in this bag. She responded, her smile sexy and playful at the same time. Not only that, but she barely wore anything today, the line of her tank top dipping low enough for him to see plenty of cleavage.

She hadn’t been happy when he’d arrived, and in fact, he’d thought of a split second there she might run. She wouldn’t have made it far in shorts that short, though she did wear a pair of trendy tennis shoes.

“There’s this great roadside stand coming out of Carter’s Cove,” he said. “Tommy and I stop there all the time after I pick him up and we’re back in the car.” He opened the bag and reached inside. “I just found out they opened a brick and mortar store here in Hilton Head, so I stopped by.” He wrapped his fingers around the sandwich and pulled it out.

To the casual observer, it simply looked like a foil-wrapped log. Blake could already taste the Swiss cheese, the grilled onions and peppers, and that perfectly seasoned steak.

“It’s a cheesesteak,” she said. She laughed, and Blake sure did like the sound of that. “I love cheesesteak.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Did I tell you that?”

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