Your Fierce Love (The Bennett Family #7)(2)

"Why aren't you putting anything on your plate?"

"I'm actually on a bounty hunt for Mia and Elena. Not sure what they want. Help?"

"Oooh, but the girls will love the cupcake. And the hazelnut cake." She glances once at her plate before handing it to me, and taking the empty one from my hands. "Take this to them."

"You don't even bat an eyelash at giving up the cupcake for my nieces, but you wanted to fight me for it? Good to know."

"I can't resist any of your nieces and nephews, and don't judge me. Since you cater to their every whim, neither do you."

"Guilty."

"Know what? I'll eat sweets later. Let's make plates for the rest of the kids too. Taking sweets to just part of the group is a recipe for war."

It didn't occur to me, but she's right. "Thanks for saving my bacon."

"It's good bacon. Deserves saving."

I can't put my finger on it, but her tone sounds off. As we head over to the kids' corner carrying loaded plates, a subtle shift in her body language convinces me that something is definitely awry. She hunches her shoulders, sighing. Usually, Clara has an energy that lights her up from within, but that vibrancy is melting away right in front of my eyes. Time to find out what's bothering her, and either fix it or make her forget about it-for tonight, at least.



***

Clara

The kids attack the plates the second Blake and I place them on the low tables. We move a few feet away from the group but watch for any signs they're about to attack each other.

"What's wrong?" Blake asks, and I wince.



       
         
       
        

"That visible, huh?"

"Yeah, to anyone who knows you."

Oh snap! I don't want to be a Debbie Downer. I have all the time in the world to worry about my living situation once the wedding's over. I have one job tonight, and that is being happy for Alice and Nate.

Before moving to London with Alice, Nate was my boss, and a great mentor and friend. He also introduced me to the Bennett family, and they've become a huge part of my life. They're warm and close, and I adore them. Last year, they threw a surprise birthday party for me, and whenever I'm sick, someone from the family-usually Blake's mother-brings me food.

Long story short, I owe it to Nate big-time, and the least I can do is smile and push my current predicament to the back of my mind.

"So, what's wrong?"

"Nothing that can't wait until after the wedding," I say with determination.

Blake lifts a brow. I should've known he wouldn't be satisfied with that nonanswer. He can be intense when he wants to. Now he definitely wants to. He leans in a tad too close, pinning me with his dark eyes. I won't lie, my resolve cracks a little under the weight of his attention. My flight instinct kicks in because being in sniffing distance of Blake is dangerous. It usually sends my pulse into overdrive, messes with my senses. Tonight, his proximity seems to affect me less-

Wait, I spoke too soon. There is pounding in my ears... Yep, that's my pulse spiking. My heartbeat accelerates. Blake is still holding my gaze captive. I stubbornly look back but give in when I feel the heat rising to my cheeks.

"You know I was supposed to receive the keys to my apartment next Monday?"

I'm still over the moon about the my bit. This will be the first home I will own. A tiny box, but it will be mine. Eventually.

"Yeah."

"Well, turns out the construction crew found some issues, and they're delaying the project completion by ten to twelve weeks."

Blake sets his lips into a grim line. "Let me guess. You already put in the notice where you live now?"

Shifting my weight from one leg to the other, I cross my arms over my chest.

"Exactly. I'm supposed to move out by the end of next week. Called the landlord, asking if he can extend the contract, but he's already rented the place to someone else, so his answer was something along the lines of chop, chop, move it, move it."

"I'm gonna take a wild guess that house hunting isn't going well?"

"Not easy to find something on such short notice in San Francisco."

"Especially for only a few months."

Blowing out a breath, I nod. Ever since the construction company notified me of the delay two weeks ago, I've been browsing apartment listings and emailing with a real estate agent, but so far nothing. The short lease time is a deal breaker for all the places I can afford, so my options are rather bleak. 

"I'll have to suck it up and look for a room in a shared apartment. Those are more flexible." The prospect of sharing my space with strangers is daunting. I grew up in group homes, sharing a bedroom with five, sometimes seven other girls. Only half were friendly at any given time.