"No," he says simply. The bartender's eyebrows climb into his hairline but he steps away, finishing the cocktails he was mixing when I approached him.
"I want to pay for my drink," I insist.
"Family and friends don't pay in my bar."
His voice holds equal parts domination and determination, and it sends my pulse into overdrive. He holds my gaze captive, and my forearm, his fingers applying a gentle pressure on my skin. The contact sends waves of heat through me. Oh crap. Any day now, I will grow immune to his charm. Any day now. But today is not the day. At least the attraction is one-sided, thank goodness.
Licking my lips, I pull back my arm, placing the ten-dollar bill back in my bag. "Okay. Thank you." I down the last few gulps of lemonade.
"Let's go upstairs. Unless you want another drink?"
"No, I'm good. Let's go."
"Follow me. There's a separate entry though the back, so you wouldn't have to walk through the bar every time. I'll show you."
Blake leads the way, opening doors for me and tucking me into his side as we step outside on the street and round the corner. His protective streak is most endearing. When Blake pushes the door to the apartment open after we climb two flights of stairs, I smile. It's love at first sight. The place, at least what I can see of it, is even better than I imagined, even though a blanket of dust covers it.
"I've done improvements," Blake explains as we step inside. "But the building has an old infrastructure."
"I like old things. They have a soul, a history."
"True."
The apartment is a lovely blend of old and new. Blake gives me a quick tour. The living room is spacious and the bedroom a little on the small side, but I love it. It's quaint.
"My bedroom is on the other side." Blake points to the wall. "The two apartments used to be one single unit, but the owner before me divided them by a wall and made a separate entrance."
Briefly I wonder how thick the wall is and barely manage to keep myself from asking out loud. That's a rabbit hole if there ever was one. I suppose I'll find out as soon as Blake has a lady friend over. My stomach churns unpleasantly at the thought, which is ridiculous. I have no business being jealous. No business at all.
"It‘s dusty, but I'll call a cleaning company before you move in," he says as we return to the living room.
"No need. I'll do it myself."
"I'll bring in a cleaning company."
"Is there any point in contradicting you? You're extra bossy today."
A grin lights up his face. "You can always try. It's good for me to be challenged now and again. Keeps me grounded. Otherwise I'd buy my own hype."
"You're one of a kind, Blake."
"Are you trying to kill me with kindness?"
"Is it working?"
"No. Just so we're clear, I'm still bringing in a cleaning company. Feel free to give me a hard time for it."
"Nah, I'm saving up the hard time for another occasion. Choosing my battles and all that."
"Smart. Any changes you want to make?"
"What am I allowed to change?"
"Anything except tearing down walls."
"I'll buy a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf for the southern wall. I already know which one it'll be."
Excitement coursing through me, I take my phone out of my bag. I've bookmarked the page with my dream bookshelf, but have yet to be able to buy it because it's huge, and it couldn't have possibly fit in my old apartment. I turn the phone, showing it to Blake, who seems a bit taken aback by my enthusiasm. I make a mental note to dial it down a notch or two. I know I can come across a bit manic when I'm excited about something.
Blake zooms in on the size of the bookcase. "That will fit right in."
"Exactly."
I do a full turn and see dust motes playing into the light streaming in through the windows. The window is immense with French doors that open onto a balcony. The place will be bathed in sunlight on clear days.
"If you don't mind, I'd also paint the southern wall."
"Sure, what color?"
"The one you have in your bar. You're going to have to tell me the exact color code because I love it." It's somewhere between champagne and peach. "I know I'll only be here for a little while, but I like... personalizing my spaces."
Blake nods. "Want to see the balcony? It's the only downside."
Before I have time to ask how on earth a balcony can be a downside, Blake opens the French doors and we both step outside.
"We'd have to share it."