Now that Hudson mentioned it, I felt uneasy about the situation, but I couldn't leave. I'd only just arrived, and Lilliana was having a great time with my mom and Henry.
Blake wouldn't leave without telling me. Then there was the voice in the back of my mind reminding me that this is what I wanted. To give her the space she needed to pursue her degree. I wouldn't hold her back.
I should be okay with letting her go.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Blake
The house was too quiet. I'd snuck out of my room when the shower was running and made myself toast and brought it back to my room. I was a chicken. I didn't want to talk to Dalton, so I was avoiding him.
I wasn't any closer to finding a solution to my problem.
Sometime later, I opened my door, and when I didn't hear any noise, I tiptoed to the kitchen where there was a note on the counter.
We went to my parents' house. D
My heart sank because I hadn't been included. I asked for space, and he was giving it to me. But a part of me wished that he'd stuck around. That it was a typical Sunday morning where he made me breakfast, and we sipped our coffee while we watched Lilliana play with her toys. I'd usually break off at some point and paint on the patio.
Then Dalton would bring Lilliana out to swim so that we could be together. My heart ached at the change. My phone buzzed.
Elena: What's going on? Why didn't you come over with Dalton?
Blake: I asked him for space.
Elena: Want me to come there? You need to talk?
Blake: I don't want to take you away from your family.
It might not have been her family now, but it would be when her and Hudson got married.
Elena: Give me a few minutes, and I'll be there. Trust me, no one will notice that I'm gone. All they care about is that food is being served.
I smiled at her comment, wishing I was there in the middle of the chaos that was a Kingston family get-together.
I jumped in the shower so that I could get the door when Elena arrived. When the doorbell rang, I padded to the foyer to let her in.
She immediately hugged me. "Is everything okay?"
She let go of me, and I closed the door behind her. "Ashton called on the drive home yesterday." I moved to the kitchen where I poured fresh coffee for me and one for Elena.
Elena frowned. "What's going on with Dalton's case?"
I grabbed the creamer from the fridge and set it on the counter. "Oakley requested a mediation which is great news, but Ashton wants me to pretend to be Dalton's fiancée. He thinks it could help his case."
Elena poured creamer into her coffee, using a spoon to stir it. "You're not okay with that?"
"Not at all."
Elena sat on the stool at the island. "Why not?"
"It wouldn't be right to lie about our relationship. I don't feel good about it." But something about that explanation didn't ring true. It didn’t bother me in the beginning because we weren’t in a relationship. But now everything was different.
"It's a small lie though, right? And if it could help Dalton and Lilliana, wouldn't you want to do that?"
I chewed my lip considering her. "I'm surprised that you'd be okay with something like that."
She held up her hand. "I'm not saying that I would be; I'm just wondering what's holding you back."
