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The three of us head out of the bar and silently walk to the parking lot. An awkward tension wraps around us, but as we reach my car, I turn and exhale. “Thank you for walking us to the car. I don’t know what I would have done if Kyle was out here waiting for us.”
Blake folds his arms across his broad chest, a slight scowl crossing his gorgeous face. “Zoey, does he hurt you or Hailee?”
Hailee cuddles into me tighter, and I shake my head. “No, he’s never been physical with either one of us. He just likes to get physical with things around us to scare us into doing what he wants.”
A low growl reverbs from his chest, surprising me. “So he’s emotionally abusive toward the both of you?”
I turn, open the rear passenger side door, and signal Hailee to enter. “C’mon, in you hop, Starshine.”
She continues to cling to me, shaking her head and looking at Blake. Then, seeing the fear in Hailee’s eyes, he slumps his shoulders, squats down to her level, and smiles. A move that shocks me, but I let it play out.
“Hi, Hailee. My name is Blake. I work with your mom.” He places his hand out for her to shake.
Hailee glances up at me like she is questioning whether she should take it, so I smile and nod. Then she turns back to Blake and shakes his hand. “Th-thank y-you. For h-helping with my d-dad.”
Blake smiles. “It’s my pleasure. You have a really strong mom in Zoey. She’s one of a kind. I need you to be brave like her, and when you’re feeling sad, you think about how strong your mom is and that you want to be just like her. Can you do that for me?”
My chest squeezes tight as I stare at Blake in awe.
Hailee smiles for the first time since I’ve seen her tonight and nods. “I can do that.”
He stands, sliding his hand out, patting her head. “After all, you play baseball, right? And not many little girls your age play baseball, so you have some strength in you somewhere.”
Hailee lets out a small giggle. “I’m the only girl on my team!” She beams with pride.
Blake’s eyes light up, the flecks of gold shining brighter, if that’s even possible. “See, I knew it! Hailee, you’re gonna be stronger than me before long.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t be silly.”
Blake grins. “Me…” he points to himself, “… silly?No!” He waves his hand. “I’m a businessman. We don’t do silly, do we, Zoey?”
I stand back in absolute awe, smiling like the Cheshire cat, and shake my head adamantly. “Oh no, of course not. Mr. Branson is as stuck-up as they come.”
He raises a brow. “Ouch, harsh… but fair.”
Hailee giggles her little tooshie off as she wipes the tears from her face. “You’re funny, Blake.”
He leans in closer to her. “Just don’t tell the others in there. I have a reputation to uphold as the mean one.”
Hailee nods and gestures like she is zipping her lips shut. “Secret’s safe with me.”
Blake winks at her as she climbs up into the back of the car, then waves at Blake. “Hope I see you again, Blake…” She smiles that cute little dimpled grin. “You’re kinda cool.”
He scoffs. “Only kinda?”
Hailee smirks. “I mean… you’re old, so you lose points for that.”
Blake’s mouth drops open, and he snaps his hand to his chest like he’s just been shot. “Oh no, man down, that went straight through the heart.”
Hailee giggles as I shake my head, closing the back door, then lean on it and smile at him as he is still pretending to recover from the arrow shot through his heart. “That was amazing,” I tell him.
And just like that, he is recovered and standing back up straight, with that cocky smirk as he looks at me, his hands in his pockets. “I have a way with kids.”
I shake my head, not understanding how that is even possible. “I wouldneverhave pictured you as the type.”
He leans in against the side of my car, seeming completely relaxed in this situation. “I have siblings.”
That’s all he offers me.
