“Here. Try it on.”
“It’s not going to fit me.” Alexis ran her hands over the fabric.
“It will.” Looking up at Sophia, she saw a sparkle in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. “I purchased it for you a while ago knowing that someday, a moment would come you’d need something nice to wear, and you wouldn’t let me buy it for you unless you were in a bind. It turns out, I was right.”
“Soph, you didn’t have to do this.”
“I know; I wanted to.” Her sweet smile spread on her lips. “Now try it on.”
Stepping into the bathroom, Alexis took off the robe and slipped into the dress. It fit her like a glove. The dress hit above her knees at the lowest part of the angle, and the blue color extenuated her sun-kissed skin perfectly. Alexis felt mildly insecure over the fact that she was not only not wearing a bra, but the deep V-neck of the dress came to below her breast.
“I don’t know about this.”
“Come out here and let us see,” Emily called after her as Alexis stepped out of the bathroom. Both Emily and Sophia gasped at the sight of her, and she instantly felt self-conscious. The dress was more revealing than anything Alexis had worn in years, and she nervously pulled at the V-neck to cover up her breasts more.
“Don’t you dare cover those girls up.” Sophia walked over to her and pulled her hands away from the dress. Holding up Alexis’s arm, Sophia motioned for her to twirl, which Alexis reluctantly did. Emily let out a catcall, which made Alexis blush. “You look magnifique.”
“Are you sure it’s not too much? I mean, I’m a mom.”
“So, what?” Emily stood beside Sophia and cupped her breasts in her hands. “You have amazing breasts, and this dress shows off enough to drive Blake crazy.”
“She’s going to rip this dress off you at some point tonight.”
“Sophia!” Alexis playfully swatted at her as Sophia took hold of her shoulders and spun her around to the full-length mirror. She adjusted the dress as Alexis stood like a model. “It does look gorgeous.”
“Love, get me those silver shoes in the closet, please.”
Emily did as Sophia asked and handed over the shoes. They helped Alexis with her balance as she put them on and stood back in front of the mirror. She had to admit that the heels made her calves look stellar, and Alexis couldn’t wait for Blake to see them. Running her hand through her hair, Alexis marveled at herself in the mirror as Emily gasped beside her.
“What?”
“We have to do something with your hair.”
Leading Alexis back into the bathroom, Emily sat her down at Sophia’s make-up station as they both went to work on getting her ready for the date. Emily worked on curling her hair while Sophia applied more makeup to her face than Alexis had ever worn. She finished off the look with a red lip gloss before stepping back and looking at her handiwork. Emily stood beside her and proudly nodded as she put an arm around Sophia’s waist.
“We did good.”
“Better than the fairy godmother herself, I do believe.”
Alexis stood and took in her reflection in the mirror. She did look good; she’d give them that. Nervously, she twirled the end of her hair around her finger as Emily swatted her hand away. Sophia adjusted the dress one more time and flipped Alexis’s hair over her shoulder in an attempt to finish off the look. Her long locks fell in soft curls around her face as she moved her head from side to side to see each view.
“I don’t know.” Sighing, Alexis fiddled with the V-neck once more before moving to her hips. She pulled the fabric out and watched as it fell back into place around her hips. “I haven’t worn anything like this in years.”
“Which is why you need to tonight.” Sophia swatted Alexis’s hands away from the dress. Gritting her teeth, Alexis shook her head. If she wasn’t comfortable in the dress at home, how would she ever be comfortable in it out in public? “No,” Sophia shook her head, “you’re not doing this.”
“I’m not doing anything,” Alexis said defensively.
“I can see it in your eyes, Lex.” Sophia’s hazel eyes narrowed at her. “You want to either change into your comfort clothes or cancel altogether, and neither is an option. You deserve this, Alexis. You deserve to go out with your girlfriend and look absolutely stunning. You deserve to be happy with her and to be happy in your own skin. Because you, mon amour, are beautiful.”
Taking hold of Alexis’s shoulders, Sophia walked her over to the full-length mirror.
“Starting at the top,” Sophia smirked, “you’re so much smarter than you give yourself credit for. And this face gives away more than words ever could, even though you fancy yourself a closed book. Your body brought a life into this world, and now you get to parade it around because it is amazing. And, Lex, honey, your boobs are phenomenal.”
Playfully, Sophia cupped her breasts in her hands as Alexis pretended to be annoyed.
“Don’t forget the legs,” Emily chimed in from her spot leaning on the bathroom door frame. She watched them with a look so full of love on her face, but Alexis knew it wasn’t for her. It was for Sophia.
“Right?” Sophia hiked up Alexis’s dress to reveal her toned legs that were sun-kissed from the summer sun. “Years of working on your feet have given you some killer legs, babe. So, don’t worry. You got this.”
Alexis believed Sophia, which surprised her. Instead of her usual instinct to wave Sophia’s encouraging words off, she felt them resonate in her heart. Everything in her life seemed to be going so well, and Alexis wanted to relish in the happiness as long as she could.
“So, like,” Alexis tilted her head side to side, “tonight might be the night.”
“Are we talking the night for sex?”
“We are indeed.” She took in a deep breath and held it. “I’m nervous but not scared, which is weird. I’d kinda assumed I’d never have sex again after Harper, and it’s been six years, so I don’t know if I even remember how and what if I…”
“Lex.” Sophia placed her hands on her shoulder, tilted her head slightly as she smiled at her best friend. “Stop overthinking everything and enjoy your fancy night out with Blake, and if the night ends with some sex, then hallelujah. You’ve been wound tighter than ever for weeks now. Let it go.”
The bedroom door creaked open slightly as Harper came in. She stopped in her tracks and gasped at the sight of Alexis.
“Mommy, you look like a princess.”
“Thank you, baby.” Alexis swayed, making the ends of the dress sashay around her legs.
“She does, doesn’t she, ma petite.” Sophia took hold of Alexis’s hand once more and twirled her around in a circle to show Harper the entire look. Harper excitedly jumped up and down as she ran over to Alexis, only to be intercepted by Sophia, who swung her up onto her hip. “Mommy’s all ready for her date, so let’s not mess up her dress, ok?”
Downstairs, the doorbell rang. Harper ran back down the stairs as Emily followed behind her with her nose in her phone to unlock the front door for Blake. Alexis looked at herself once more in the full-length mirror and let out a sigh as she twirled slightly in the dress. Behind her, Sophia slipped a necklace on her neck as Alexis moved her hair out the way. The necklace was a gorgeous silver A, and it occurred to Alexis that Sophia had also purchased it.
“You’re too much. You know that, right?”
“I love spoiling my best friend.” Sophia shrugged. “Sue me.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. Now, go knock the socks off your woman.”
Mustering up all the confidence she could, Alexis headed out of the bedroom and looked out over the balcony overlooking the living room. Blake was dressed in a black pantsuit with an emerald green top underneath and a pair of Vans on her feet. Her eyes found Blake’s instantly, and Alexis saw her jaw hang open at the sight of her.
“Oh, this dress won’t be staying on long tonight,” Sophia whispered in her ear.
Alexis playfully swatted at her, but sh
e didn’t bother to fight the grin she knew was on her own face. She tried to slowly and elegantly walk down the stairs in Sophia’s heels, and thankfully, she made the descent without a hitch. Walking across the room to Blake, Alexis couldn’t stop staring at her, and Blake was doing the same. They were both awestruck.
“Lex, you look…wow.” Blake was speechless, and it made Alexis blush.
“Twirl her around,” Sophia called out behind them and Blake did as she was told.
“I don’t know if I find you more sexy or more gorgeous.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Please do.”
“Mommy looks like a princess.” Harper grinned from between Sophia and Emily.
“She does, Harper.” She kissed Alexis’s cheek. “Shall we go, my princess?”
Blake extended her arm out to Alexis.
“We shall.”
“Have her home by midnight,” Sophia teased as Alexis stuck her tongue out at her.
“Don’t listen to her.” Emily rolled her eyes at Sophia. “Keep her out as late as you want. Miss Harper and I have a date to play with LEGOs and watch some Disney movies, isn’t that right, Harp?”
“Yup!”
“Thank you both.” Quickly hugging her two best friends, Alexis gave both Emily and Sophia a kiss on the cheek. She kissed the top of Harper’s head as she gently lifted her chin toward her. “You be good for Nonna and Emmy, ok?”
“Duh, Mommy.” Harper’s mischievous giggle accompanied her hugging Sophia’s leg and hiding behind her. She was her kid, through and through; there was no denying it.
“Goofy, girl. I love you.”
Saying a round of goodbyes, Blake and Alexis walked out into the foyer between the two apartments. The door was barely shut behind them when Blake covered Alexis’s lips with her own. Alexis was thankful Sophia had stuck the lip gloss into her small bag on her way out of the bedroom.
Because there was no way Alexis was keeping her lips off Blake’s tonight.
Chapter 29
“Babe, you look stunning.”
Blake could barely keep her hands and lips off Alexis. She looked beautiful to Blake every day, but tonight, she was devastating. Alexis would have easily turned every head at any red-carpet event she attended. For a moment, Blake contemplated canceling their reservations at the restaurant and pulling Alexis inside her apartment so they could have their way with each other quickly as they both clearly had only one thing on their minds.
She could see it in Alexis’s eyes. There was a raw desire that hadn’t been there before, and it was turning Blake on more with each passing second. Although they hadn’t talked about where the night would end up, Blake had planned a romantic night away, complete with an overnight stay in the elegant Firefly Inn. Blake had arranged for champagne to be waiting for them in the room along with a bouquet of roses she’d ordered from Maddie’s flower shop. She’d also made sure to pack the original Star Wars trilogy DVDs in her bag, just in case.
Blake wanted everything to be perfect, but more importantly, she wanted Alexis to feel safe. She needed Alexis to know that she truly loved her; she needed her to know she wasn’t running the other way because of her past demons.
Above all, though, Blake needed to tell her about Salem’s visit.
She hoped the romantic evening she’d planned would lessen the blow she would be dishing out later. Blake had gone back and forth for three days over when and how to tell Alexis she was going back to Vancouver. Deep down, Blake knew Alexis would understand. It would hurt them both to spend time apart, but Blake had no desire to stay away any longer than she had to in order to fulfill her obligations with the show. Blake had read over the script twice and made countless notes on it. She knew what she wanted for herself and her character.
“You don’t look so bad yourself.” Alexis playfully booped her nose before they continued their walk down the stairs hand in hand. Pushing the door open, Blake held the door for Alexis as she walked out into the twilight to the elegant black limousine waiting for them. “Oh, my gosh.” She gasped as she grabbed Blake’s arm excitedly and squeezed. “Is this for us?”
“Of course.” Blake led her over to the car door as the chauffeur opened it for them. Alexis handed off her overnight bag to the chauffeur, and they climbed into the backseat. Cuddling next to each other, Blake opened the bottle of wine she’d purchased for the evening, thanks to Sophia’s recommendation. It was a sweet French wine that Sophia swore Alexis loved. Blake only hoped Sophia hadn’t lied to her.
“Oh, I love this wine,” Alexis giggled as she held up a glass to Blake. She poured carefully – not an easy feat in a moving vehicle – before pouring a drink for herself. Tapping the glasses against each other, Alexis smiled. “A toast. To the prettiest woman in the world.”
“A toast to you indeed.” Blake playfully smiled as she tapped their glasses again before they each took a sip. The wine was sweeter than Blake usually liked, and she wrinkled her nose at the taste in her mouth.
“Don’t like it?”
“It’s really sweet.”
“Yeah, it can leave a taste on your lips for a while.”
“Yeah?” Blake raised an eyebrow at her before closing the space between them. Their lips met passionately, and once again, Blake contemplated canceling the dinner and telling the driver to go straight to the inn. Discarding their wine glasses to the cupholders, Alexis’s hand ran through Blake’s hair as she took a small section in her hand and pulled lightly. It wasn’t something Blake was used to in a relationship, and it surprised her each time coming from Alexis, but more than anything, it turned her on.
When they arrived at the restaurant, the chauffeur opened the door as Blake got out and extended her hand out to Alexis. She was keenly aware that all eyes were on them as they walked in. It was something she was used to, sure. But it felt different, though, with Alexis on her arm. It felt intrusive, and Blake felt uneasy as the maître d’ raked his eyes up and down her body. Beside her, Alexis wrapped her arm around Blake’s to make sure that he knew she was taken, and the move turned Blake on even more. With a roll of his eyes, he escorted them to a quiet table in the back. Several patrons stopped and turned to look at Blake as she strolled past, but she didn’t pay them any attention.
Her eyes were solely on Alexis.
“This place is fantastic.” Blake pulled out Alexis’s seat for her before taking a seat herself. She chose to sit next to her and enjoyed their knees touching under the table. The black floor-length table cloth allowed Blake to run her hand up and down Alexis’s leg as they ordered drinks and studied the menu.
“Here you go, ladies.” Dressed elegantly in a white button-up and black pants with a bright red tie, the young waiter carefully sat Blake’s rum and Coke before showing the bottle of wine Alexis had picked out. It was a less sweet wine, Blake noted, and she wondered if Alexis also took wine advice from Sophia. The waiter poured Alexis a glass before gesturing to Blake. “Would you like to try it, ma’am?”
“Oh, knife to the heart, dude.” Blake dramatically clutched her chest, which made both the waiter and Alexis laugh. “I would love to try some, but please, don’t call me, ma’am. Literally, anything but that would be fine.”
“Yes, ma—Miss.” He winked at her, garnering a nod from Blake in return. They placed their order with him – a Greek salad with salmon for Alexis and calamari for Blake – and Blake noticed Alexis squirm at her order.
“What?” Blake playfully poked Alexis’s leg under the table.
“Calamari?” She wrinkled her nose as Blake laughed.
“Don’t knock it until you try it.”
“I am so not trying squid.” Alexis scoffed. Picking up the wine glass, Alexis swirled the red liquid around then smelled the aroma before taking a sip. She hummed happily at the sweet taste. “Sophia’s wine suggestions never fail me.”
“If I try that,” Blake looked at her wine glass, “will you promise to try the calamari?”
&
nbsp; “In what universe is drinking a new wine on the same level as trying squid?”
Under the table, Blake’s fingers slipped up under Alexis’s dress and slowly grazed her thigh. Alexis’s body shivered at the touch as she leaned toward her. Their lips tenderly met as Blake cupped her hand on Alexis’s cheek. Blake’s tongue pressed its way into Alexis’s lips, and Alexis didn’t stop the moan from escaping her throat as she pulled away, clearly embarrassed
“Don’t be embarrassed.” Blake kissed her lips once as she picked up the wine glass and held it out toward Alexis. “I can promise you, babe. There will be more moaning where that came from later tonight.”
Their casual flirting carried them until their delicious-looking dinners arrived.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been to a restaurant that wasn’t the bar.” Alexis took another bite of her salad. “My parents used to always make us go to these fancy restaurants, and I’d have to wear these frilly dresses, and I hated it, and I told myself that if I ever had kids, I’d never do that to them. Which means that Harper and I haven’t ventured to many places to eat.”
“You know that you don’t have to dress extravagantly to go to a restaurant, right?”
“I know, but,” she sadly shrugged, “I have that negative memory from the dinners out with my parents, and I’ve never had much interest in going out. Until tonight that is. Tonight has been so fun.”
“And it’s not over yet.” Leaning toward her, Blake placed a quick kiss on her lips before they resumed their eating. “May I ask you a question?”
“Ugh, I hate when people ask that. It gives me anxiety.”
“I’m sorry.” Blake offered her an apologetic look.
“What’s up, buttercup?”
“Why is it that you don’t talk about your parents?”
“What?” A flash of panic – or maybe uncertainty – passed over Alexis’s face. She squirmed slightly in her seat, her glass of wine. “I’ve mentioned my parents before.”
State of Grace: A Moonflower Cove Romance Page 26