AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are we taking snacks?”
Charli grinned. “You’re my mini me.”
Layla struck a pose, and they both laughed.
“You go get the games,” Charli said with a wave of her hand toward the basement stairs. “And I’ll get some snacks.”
As Layla headed to the basement, Charli found a container and filled it with some of the sugar and gingerbread cookies Denise had made and decorated, along with a few of the brownies. She also grabbed the remainder of the carrots and dip since she knew Amelia liked that snack too.
After a moment’s hesitation, Charli grabbed a bag of chips as well. As she was putting everything in a bag, Layla reappeared with one of her backpacks and showed her the games inside it.
Janessa and Will came downstairs as they were putting on their boots and jackets. Janessa had her purse, so Charli assumed they were on their way out also.
“We’re going to see Timothy,” Janessa said. “Where’re you off to?”
“Blake’s,” Charli told her. “We’re going to play some games and hang out with the girls.”
Janessa’s smile was beaming. “That’s great. I’m sure you’ll have fun.”
Charli had no idea how Janessa was going to take the news about Blake and Layla. She’d probably be mad at Blake initially, but she’d get over it. Hopefully.
They all walked into the garage and headed for their respective cars. Once they were gone, Charli got an alert that the security system had been armed, courtesy of Janessa, no doubt.
When Blake opened his door a few minutes later, Charli’s heart skipped a beat at the smile on his face. He gestured for them to come into the apartment, then shut the door after they did.
“Layla!” Amelia let out an excited yell as she ran over to them and flung her arms around Layla. “We’re really real sisters.”
Layla laughed as she hugged her back. “Yep. We are.”
When Charli glanced at Blake to find him watching the girls with an affectionate smile, she skirted around the pair to join him. He transferred his smile to her as he slipped his arm around her waist, and she leaned against him. She still had her jacket on, so she wasn’t as close to him as she’d like to be.
“They’re amazing.”
Charli definitely agreed.
When the girls parted, Layla unzipped her jacket, so Charli did the same. Once they’d removed their boots and jackets, they went to the table in the dining room.
Layla showed Amelia which games they’d brought, and the two of them chose one for the four of them to play. Charli was glad that Blake wasn’t trying to force Layla to act any differently toward him. She was sure he wanted a relationship with her like he had with Amelia. But just like he’d gone at Charli’s speed for their relationship, he was going at Layla’s speed for theirs.
They spent the afternoon playing games and eating snacks. When supper time came, they decided to order some food from the best Chinese restaurant in Serenity. Amelia initially wasn’t too sure about the menu, but Layla convinced her to give it a try and explained the dishes she liked to the younger girl.
By the time they’d decided on the order, it seemed that Amelia was on board with what they’d ordered.
They had a great time together, and Charli was so grateful that Blake had been willing to move past what had happened. He hadn’t had to. He could have chosen to end things between them and just focus on Layla.
They’d both made mistakes over the years. But she believed that Blake really was a man of honor that she could depend on.
And he proved it again when he insisted on going with her to talk to her parents the next afternoon.
Janessa had agreed to watch the girls, assuming Charli and Blake were going on a date. Peyton had come home from church with them and was also spending the afternoon with the girls. There were plans to decorate cookies, watch movies, and play games.
As they walked hand in hand from his truck to the front door of the family home, Charli said, “I’m so nervous.”
He stopped walking, turning her toward him. He took her hands in his and said, “Nothing your parents can say will make me change my mind about you. About us. I believe in our love, and this is another step towards the future we want. Do you believe in us?”
“I do. I love you,” Charli assured him, going up on her toes to press a kiss to his lips. “Let’s do this.”
“Hi, darling,” her mom said as they stepped into the foyer. She gave Charli a hug, then turned to Blake. “It’s good to see you, Blake.”
