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And yet there was a part of her that was softening toward him.
What was she supposed to do about that?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Blake wasn’t sure what had prompted him to share so much about his past with Lauren, especially with Charli there. It was a reminder to her that he’d had another relationship, and he didn’t really want that.
However, it was out there now, and there was nothing he could do about that. If it made her even more angry at him than she’d already been, so be it.
Even though he had picked his favorite ice cream flavor, he didn’t manage to finish it before it became soupy. Pushing the bowl away, he folded his arms on the table, listening as the conversation moved away from him, for which he was glad.
Though he didn’t know why they’d included him and Amelia in their plans to get ice cream, he was glad they had. Amelia looked like she was having fun, and it beat going back to the quiet of their apartment.
Somehow, he’d once again ended up sitting next to Charli, whose nearness pierced him with a familiar double-edged sword. Since he’d returned to Serenity, the pain of what he’d lost was nearly always present. And even though being close to Charli also increased that pain, he never turned down the opportunity to see her.
“Peyton has been bugging us to go bowling,” Jay said. “Any chance you guys would like to make a night of it?”
“Is that why Layla asked me about it?” Charli asked. “Where did Peyton get the bowling idea from?”
“He was invited to a birthday party where they bowled, and he really enjoyed it.”
“I haven’t bowled in a very long time,” Charli said.
Jay nodded. “Me neither.”
It sounded like Blake had been bowling more recently than anyone there. He and some of his buddies had gone bowling on occasion, and for some reason, they’d been more competitive at bowling than when they played basketball or volleyball.
“We could go next Friday after pizza,” Jay said.
“No game?” Jackson asked.
“Not on Friday. We’re out of town for a game on Saturday.”
“I’m sure that would be fine for me and Layla,” Charli said.
“How about you, Blake?” Jay asked. “Interested in going bowling.”
“I’m not sure Amelia could handle the heavy balls.”
“The place we go to has Duckpin style the smaller balls without finger holes. So it might not be as exciting for us adults, but the kids will probably have a blast.”
“I prefer bowling with the small balls myself,” Charli said. “Less chance of ruining nails, and they’re lighter.”
“I’m with Charli,” Janessa said.
“I’ll check to see if Kayleigh and Hudson want to join us.”
“Too bad Mom and Dad aren’t around,” Jay said. “They’d probably come.”
“Where are they?” Blake asked.
“They’re with Wilder in Asia at the moment, visiting some orphanages to offer their medical services as needed,” Janessa said. “They’ll all be back soon, since Kayleigh’s wedding is coming up.”
Blake had been surprised when Kayleigh and Hudson had let him know that he and Amelia were welcome to attend the ceremony and reception. Though he’d had some conversations with Hudson, he hadn’t thought their friendship warranted an invitation to their wedding.
“It’s weird not to have to look after Skylar or the dog when Mom and Dad go away now,” Charli said.
“Is Layla still asking for a dog?” Jay asked.
