“Blake, would you like a ride home?” he asked suddenly.
I looked up at him and smiled. “Sure, thanks. Thank you for the meal, Drake. You’re an amazing cook.”
“I can take her home,” Noah stood up quickly.
I laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Thanks, though.” I tried to sound reassuring.
I knew he wanted more answers, and he was hoping to get them from me tonight, but I had to talk to Gavin in private.
We said our good byes, and I ran upstairs to grab my bag. I hadn’t realized that Noah had followed me up the stairs.
“Why are you running off? I don’t think you should go home to Collin. It doesn’t feel right.” Noah was staring down at his feet as he put his hands in his pocket.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I need to go.” At his crestfallen look, I quickly added. “I should be able to tell you everything…soon, ok?”
He grudgingly nodded. “Call me if you need me,” he insisted.
I smiled and reached up to give him a passionate kiss. “I will. Thank you.”
He smiled and pulled me in for one more kiss and I found myself reluctant to leave.
On the way out the door, I looked at Gavin. “I’m sorry if I ruined your night. If you want, you can stay here,” I said, feeling guilty suddenly.
He shrugged, but gave me a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. I’m here for you. Besides, if you’re right, I have a long time to make it up to Jemmy.”
“Have you gotten her phone number yet?” I asked, hoping to assuage my guilt.
I could see the look of hesitance enter his eyes. “What happens if she’s just flirting and she’s not that in to me?” he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I’m sure she is, trust me,” I insisted.
“Oh, I am,” Jemmy said saucily from the doorway.
I never saw Gavin so red with embarrassment.
“Good then, it’s settled. Gavin, call Jemmy’s number so she has it.” I smiled widely.
Jemmy rattled off her number, then smiled like the cat that ate the canary. “I’ll be expecting a text from you,” she stated.
“Uh, okay, I will,” Gavin said, still flustered.
“Bye,” Jemmy blew him a kiss, and I laughed as I pulled Gavin out into the mudroom.
As I opened the garage door, I smacked into a wall. Not a literal wall, but it might as well have been. I tripped over my own feet and landed hard on my rear. I looked up at Remington, aka Remy, slightly stunned.
He was the tallest of the guys at well over 6’3 and built like a mountain, but he was light on his feet, thus the reason why he had been my running partner. A longing to feel his hands through my hair left me momentarily breathless. A pang of sadness filled me. I wanted him, wanted them all back in my life.
“Are you okay?” his voice was filled with concern, and I realized he must have repeated himself.
I attempted to smile and stood up, brushing my butt of imaginary dirt, because I knew Sue, the housekeeper, was thorough in her job. “Fine,” I finally murmured. “Just suffering from a bruised ego at my clumsiness.”
Gavin couldn’t stifle his laughter. He was aware of how nimble and sure footed I was.
Remy’s eyebrow knitted at Gavin. “She fell pretty hard,” he gently scolded him.
Gavin wiped a nervous hand across his mouth. “Yeah, you’re right, sorry, Blake.”
“You’re fine. I’m fine,” I reassured them both.