I walk into Dad’s office and stop in my tracks. Tatum is sitting across from his desk.
She looks up when she hears me walk in and a smile lights up her face. That smile, all for me. I want to push my chest out and spread my feathers like a proud peacock. That smile makes me feel as though I can conquer the world.
I walk straight to her, thoughts of saying hi to Dad and catching some sleep forgotten. Once I reach her, I bend down and place a kiss on her cheek while whispering in her ear, “Hey you.” This day just got a whole hell of a lot better.
Dad clears his throat.
I stand up to my full height and move to stand behind Tatum. I place my hands on her shoulders and begin to gently rub.
Dad smirks. He knows the deal. He’s the one who told me to go for it. “Harry sent Tatum over to talk about fundraising ideas for the department,” he tells me.
Tatum looks over her shoulder at me. “We were just brainstorming ideas.”
Dad’s phone chimes. He picks it up and swipes the screen. “Shoot. I forgot some of the guys and I are supposed to be doing a presentation at the local YMCA to the summer camp. I’m sorry, Tatum. Can we reschedule this?”
Tatum waves her hand in the air. “It’s fine. I just popped in at the suggestion of Harry. Call me when you get back and we can reserve a time to meet,” she tells him.
“Thank you,” he says as he grabs his phone and keys before heading out the door.
I walk in front of Tatum and pull her up out of the chair. As soon as she’s up, I have her in my arms. “I missed you,” I tell her.
She laughs. “Blaise, you left last night at ten o’clock. We spent the day together. How could you miss me already?” she asks me.
“I missed this,” I tell her, pulling her back into my embrace. “I didn’t sleep last night. I wanted to be with you.” I’m not going to hold back with her.
Tatum sighs. “Blaise, we’re not…I’m not sure I can do this.”
“Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere,” I say with conviction.
Tatum reaches up and places her soft hand on my cheek. I didn’t shave today. She runs her hands over the stubble. “You look tired, B.,” she says.
I nod my head yes. I’m exhausted. I just need to be able to actually fall asleep, and then I would be good to go. That’s when the idea hits me. “What time do you have to be back?” I ask her.
She shrugs her shoulders. “No rush. There’s not a lot going on today. I don’t have any other meetings. Maybe a couple hours or so.”
“Can you do something for me, with me?” I ask.
“Yes,” she answers with no hesitation whatsoever. She has no idea what I’m even going to ask and she said yes.
“I’m on call, but since I’m volunteer, I’m not required to be here. I just have to report if there’s a run.” She nods her head in understanding.
“Would you mind following me home and laying with me until I fall asleep? No funny business, I promise. I just…want you to stay until I fall asleep.” I don’t say I need her next to me or how after only one night of her in my arms, I ache to have her there again. No, I won’t tell her that. I want her to agree to this.
“Just until you fall asleep?” she clarifies.
“Yes. I just want you to lie with me, and then you can go.” I turn my head and place a soft kiss on the palm of her hand.
“Okay. I’ll just follow you there?”
I immediately embrace her against my chest. “Thank you, baby,” I say before releasing her and walking her to her car.
As I’m opening her door for her, I yawn. Damn, I’m beat. I wait for her to get inside before I shut the door. I watch as she buckles her belt before walking away. I’ve seen too many accidents from being on the department. Safety first.
Even though I’m exhausted, I practically run to my truck. Tatum in my arms, in my bed. I can’t get there fast enough.
As I follow Blaise to his house, I call Leah to take my mind off what I’m about to do.
“Hey girl! Aren’t you supposed to be at work?” she says in greeting.
“Hey. Yeah, I am, but Harry asked me to meet with the fire chief to discuss fundraising,” I tell her.
“So did you see Blaise while you were there, or is he even there? He’s only volunteer right?” she fires questions at me.
“Uh, yeah he was there. I’m actually on my way to his place.” Might as well get it out there. Maybe she can talk some sense into me before I get there.
“Okay…And why are you on your way to his place?” Leah asks.
“Funny story. Steve had a meeting; I just popped in at Harry’s insistence. Blaise was there and he asked me to stop by for a while.” I’m being vague and I know she can tell. She’s about to call my ass out. I can tell by the sounds she’s making.
“Are you going to share with me the meaning of this little field trip?”
“Uh…well…Blaise, he said he didn’t sleep well last night and he sorta said it was because he slept with me the night before.”
“Holy shit! You’re gone two whole days and I miss all the good stuff. Start talking missy,” she instructs me.
“When we left the bar Saturday night, I fell asleep in the truck. I tried to seduce him; he shot me down. I cried at his rejection. He said it was because he wants more from me and then I asked him to stay. He held me all night; the end,” I say in a rush. Partly because I want to get it out and over with and partly because I’m afraid Leah will interrupt me and we’re getting close to his place.
“And?” she asks. Leah knows me so well.
“And last night, he claims he couldn’t sleep. He asked if I would come home with him and lie with him just until he falls asleep. I said yes,” I mumble the last part.
“I knew I liked that guy,” Leah gloats.
“Wait. What? You’re supposed to talk me out of this. Tell me I’m crazy and this is all too soon.”
“That is so not happening. Tate, you have been through so much these last few months. You’ve spent time with him. You work with his mom. You live with his sister. I have a good feeling about this. Blaise is one of the good ones.”
“I thought Josh was a good one too,” I remind her.
“Josh was a dick. You guys were hardly together. He never once looked at you the way Blaise does.”
I let the last comment slide. “My heart can’t take any more. I’m afraid the next time, I won’t be able to bounce back.”
“Tatum Marie Thompson. Life is filled with heartbreak. You have lived through more than most, but you survived. You’re strong and you have to open yourself up to the possibility of the pain to find the true happiness. They would want you to find love, a love like they shared. I have a good feeling about Blaise. He could be the one your mom was always talking about,” she says gently.
“He fixed me breakfast. Yesterday, while I was showering, he made me breakfast.”
“See, like I said, a good one. How many times did Josh make you breakfast?”
I don’t answer and I don’t have to. Leah knows the answer. Never. Josh wasn’t a real affectionate guy.
Blaise pulls into his driveway and I pull in behind him. “Leah, I just pulled in. So I’ve gotta go,” I say quickly as I watch Blaise climb out of his truck.
“Okay, be safe and follow your heart. Tell your head to f*ck off,” she instructs me.