State of Grace: A Moonflower Cove Romance

by Addison Clarke

  Standing outside the inn, Blake pulled up the app and ordered a driver. With a five-minute estimated time of arrival, she quickly dialed up Salem’s number and waited for her to answer.

  “Time difference,” Salem groaned. “It’s barely four a.m. here.”

  “Well, get your ass up.” Blake sent Salem a link to the article. “I need you.”

  “What’s wrong?” She sounded instantly more awake at the tone Blake used.

  “I sent you the link.” Blake waited a few moments for Salem to read the article. She heard a few gasps escape Salem’s lips as she anxiously tapped her foot on the concrete sidewalk.

  “Fuck.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  “I’ll take care of it.” Blake could hear Salem rustling out of bed and her laptop start-up on the other end of the line. A few taps of the keys indicated that Salem was already getting down to business. “The good thing is it’s barely seven a.m. on the East Coast, so the chances of many people seeing it are…”

  “Alexis saw it.”

  “Shit.”

  “Again, my thoughts exactly.” Blake angrily ran her hands through her hair. “We had a perfect date last night, and then we’re woken up this morning by Alexis’s phone going off like crazy because her friends have already seen the article. They saw the photos that were taken last night.” She kicked a large stone that lined the sidewalk. “I never thought this would happen.”

  “You had to know this was a possibility.” The sounds of Salem’s keyboard clicks were rapid. “This happened all the time when we were together. It’s part of the business.”

  “How did they even find me here? No one knows I’m here.”

  “It’s not like the old days, and you know that. Paparazzi can now be a kid with a cell phone. It doesn’t have to be a guy with a large zoom lens hiding in a bush. These assholes know they can get a few bucks for the picture and think it’s worth it. They don’t stop to think about how that candid photo will affect the people in the shot.”

  Even though Blake knew Salem was right, she was afraid there was no way she could make Alexis understand that. Blake had chosen this life. She’d chosen to be known when she went out in public. She knew the chances of a candid photo taken by a passerby was high anytime she went out. But Alexis didn’t. Alexis’s life was entirely different. She was free to go where she wanted when she wanted with whoever she wanted.

  Maybe Alexis was right. Maybe their lives were too different to work together.

  No. Blake shook the thought from her head.

  She loved Alexis, and Alexis loved her. They could make it work.

  If only Alexis would give her another chance.

  “Ok, the good news is it doesn’t seem like the article has been picked up by many other news outlets yet. I’ve got a report filed on the article for inaccuracy, and we’ll shoot out our press release this morning, so it’ll drown this one out. Obviously, there won’t be any mention of Alexis’s name in our press release, so hopefully, that’ll keep her photos from circulating.”

  “How were they able to identify her?”

  “The person who took the picture probably knew who she was and leaked her name.” Salem let out a huff of air. “I’m sorry, Blake. I should have been on top of this. It’s my job.”

  “It’s ok.” Blake waved at the driver of a small SUV as she quickly threw her bag into the backseat, climbed inside, and told him to take her to the town square. There was no way she was risking someone knowing where Alexis lived now that her name was out there for the world to know. “Hey, I got to go but keep me posted, ok?”

  “I will.” She briefly paused. “Are you still coming back?”

  “I already told you I was. I’m finishing out the show, and then I’m coming back here. You know that. Is there any way to get the press release to say that?”

  “Like I said the other day, they want to keep that under wraps so as not to spoil the show’s ending. So, please, keep that on the down-low right now. Otherwise, you’ll have the studio on your ass.”

  “Fine.” Groaning, Blake hung up the phone as the driver pulled up to the town square. She waited until he was out of sight before heading over to the back door of Alexis’s apartment. Hopefully, Alexis had had enough time to cool off since they’d seen each other. Ringing the doorbell, Blake waited.

  And waited.

  And waited some more.

  Blake rang the doorbell again and was startled when the door flew open, barely missing her face. She took a step back as Sophia stepped out of the door. Sophia left it propped open with her foot as she put her hands on her hips.

  “I thought she told you to leave her alone.”

  “I don’t listen very well.”

  “Clearly.” Sophia’s eyes raked up and down her body with a piercing glare. “She doesn’t want to see anyone. Especially you.”

  “Sophia, please.” Blake took a step toward her, but Sophia held up a hand and shook her head. “Please, let me talk to her for two minutes. Then, I can explain what happened and….”

  “I’m sorry.” Her tone was sarcastic and cut Blake to the core. “Did you not understand what I said? Here, let me try it in French. Elle ne veut voir personne. Vous particulièrement.” Opening the door to slip back inside, Sophia narrowed her eyes at her. Blake attempted to grab the door, but Sophia’s body blocked her. “This is my house, and you are not welcome. I suggest you turn around and leave now.”

  The door slammed in her face before Blake could utter another word.

  Blake kicked the door furiously as she ran her hands through her hair; she was feeling frantic. She needed to talk to Alexis. She needed to explain that she didn’t have anything to do with the article or the pictures. She needed to let her know she loved her and was going to fix everything. She needed Alexis to know their love was worth fighting for.

  Taking her phone out of her pocket, Blake attempted to call Alexis, but Alexis sent it to voicemail. Thanks to Sophia’s security systems, there was no way to the second floor without a tall ladder which Blake was seriously lacking. But she wasn’t going to give up without a fight. Planting herself on the ground by the door, she sent Alexis a text asking her if they could talk.

  Blake knew sitting outside the door all day would do nothing. Maybe a few hours would give Alexis enough time to cool off and be willing to have a conversation with her before her plane left the next morning for Vancouver. Calling for another Uber, Blake was relieved the wait was minimal and the driver didn’t seem interested in small talk. Both Isla and Vera’s vehicles were in the driveway and for a moment, Blake hesitated with whether to go up to her apartment or go to the farmhouse.

  An indescribable force pulled her to the latter.

  “Mom?” Her voice echoed as she made her way through the house until she found Vera and Isla in the small breakfast nook with steaming cups of coffee sitting in front of each of them. Thankfully, the kids seemed to have dispersed for the day and Blake breathed a sigh of relief. She needed her moms to herself right now.

  “Hey, sweetie. I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” Isla scooted over to make room for Blake on the half-moon bench seat. She sat down beside her and tried not to notice the way their faces seemed to change from happiness to concern. Blake knew she must look like shit; she hadn’t bothered to check her appearance in the mirror since she left the inn. The last thing Blake wanted was for a reflective surface to tell her she looked like her heart had been ripped out of her body.

  Which was exactly what it felt like.

  “You ok, sweetie?” Vera’s brow furrowed as she reached around Isla to place a cool hand on Blake’s arm. All she could do was nod; the words seemed stuck in her through. Wrapping her arm around Isla’s waist, Blake nestled in close to her like she used to do when she was a child.

  “Blake, what’s wrong?”

  “I think Alexis broke up with me.” A sob forced itself out of her mouth as Vera hurried around the table and sat down on the other side of Blake. Th
ey didn’t say a word as Blake let her emotions out the only way she knew how in that moment: tears. She was frustrated and hurt and wanted to fix everything but knew it was impossible if Alexis wouldn’t even talk to her.

  Composing herself enough to stop the sobs, Blake recounted her conversation with Salem and how she’d have to leave the next day to film the show and how the pictures of her and Alexis had ended up online and the fight. Blake could see the sadness grow deeper on her mothers’ faces as they realized she was leaving as well. Vera slipped an arm around Blake’s shoulder and pulled her close.

  “I’m sure Alexis just needs time.”

  “Yeah, Vera’s right.” Isla firmly nodded. “She’s Alexis and it throws her off her axis when things don’t go according to plan. She just needs time to recalibrate and think. I’m sure things will be fine with time.”

  “But time isn’t really on my side.” Wiggling her shoulder just enough to loosen Vera’s embrace without seeming rude, Blake looked at each of them before continuing. “I have to leave tomorrow for Vancouver for god knows how long so I have to talk to her tonight. Which right now, is seeming like a major improbability.”

  “Maybe go over there again.” Vera’s optimism was back in full force. “Go take a shower and maybe a nap and then go back over there. That will have given her some time to cool off and think and she might be ready to talk then.”

  “I don’t know. She seemed pretty pissed at me.”

  “Alexis loves you.” The statement came from Isla. “I’ve known Alexis for a long time and I know she’s done everything in her power to protect Harper and that’s meant not dating anyone. Until you. You were different for her. I watched the two of you fall in love and I know that a love like that doesn’t come around every day.” Isla reached out around Blake and intertwined her fingers with Vera’s. “You fight for what you love. Right now, Alexis is fighting for Harper to make sure she doesn’t get hurt in all of this. But it’s your job to fight for Alexis and Harper to show them how much you truly love them.”

  “I do love them.”

  “We know,” Vera reassured. “And I know Alexis knows that, too. Go on up to your room and take a shower and a nap and then go back over there. I think you both just need some time right now.”

  “I can’t lose her.” Blake didn’t dare look either of them in the eye. Instead, she stared at the wood grain on the oak table.

  “Then don’t.” Kissing her head, Isla pulled her close once more as Vera hugged her from the other side. They stayed that way for several moments before Blake wiggled herself free and headed up to her apartment.

  Her moms were right. Both she and Alexis needed time to process and think and - Blake yawned - she could really use a nap. Forgoing a shower in favor of crashing on the bed, Blake’s mind wandered back through the last twelve hours. How had things gone from beyond perfect to so messed up in such a short amount of time?

  In the back of her mind, whether Blake wanted to admit it or not, she knew the paparazzi finding her and photographing her with Alexis was a possibility. Especially now where anyone with a cellphone could sneak a picture and sell it online to whoever would pay for it. She regretted not telling Alexis it was a possibility; after all, Alexis had no idea what Blake’s life was like every time she walked out the door. Paparazzi came with the territory for her. But not for Alexis.

  Although there was no going back, Blake wished more than anything they’d skipped the dinner altogether and gone straight for the inn instead. At least that way the picture wouldn’t have been taken and their perfect night might possibly have carried over into the perfect morning.

  Instead, Blake was lying alone in her bed on the verge of tears once more.

  A nap eluded her as she tried to figure out her next move. She had to go back and try to talk to Alexis again. Maybe her moms were right; maybe having a few hours to think would help Alexis see that this wasn’t Blake’s fault and that they could work through this. Blake knew beyond a shadow of a doubt she’d do anything and everything in her power to help Alexis see that.

  After a few hours and a quick shower, Blake borrowed Isla’s Jeep and headed back to Alexis’s apartment. She stopped at The Pizza Palace and picked up two large pizzas - one sausage and one veggie - in her feeble attempt at a peace offering. Blake sent a text to Alexis as she parked and begged the Delivered note to turn to Read under the message. When nothing happened, Blake balanced the pizzas in her hand and headed for the door.

  She rang the bell and waited once more. Surprisingly, she heard footsteps on the other side of the door followed by the blessed sounds of the door unlocking and opening.

  “Lex.” Blake let out a sigh of relief. Although Alexis’s eyes were red and swollen, they held the smallest bit of regret that Blake hadn’t expected to see. “I brought some pizzas.”

  “Thanks.” Taking the boxes, Alexis sat them inside the door before stepping outside.

  “Can we talk?”

  Alexis nodded and crossed her arms over her oversized sweatshirt as she pushed her tongue into her cheek. She was clearly fighting tears, the same as Blake was.

  “I had no idea that article was going to be published, and I had no idea those pictures were taken last night. None.” She reached out for Alexis, but she took a step back. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the possibility of a spin-off. I realize now that I should have told you, but I honestly don’t know if it’s even going to happen or not and it will all boil down to my decision whether to do it or not. I figured why worry you unnecessarily until I know something for sure.”

  “You’re only saying that because of how bad things went down. If you had wanted to tell me, you would have. But you didn’t.” A sob escaped from her lips. “You made a conscious decision not to tell me, and instead, you let me believe you were going to go film a few quick shots then come back here. Back to me.”

  “Because that’s all I’m doing, Lex. Please believe me. I’m done with the show. As soon as I get back to Vancouver, I’m telling them I quit.” Blake begged the tears to not to fall from her eyes. They didn’t listen. “I love you, Alexis. I want to be with you and Harper here in the Cove. I want this to work between us. You know that.”

  “How do I know that?” Her words were harsher than Blake was expecting, indicating Alexis was still on guard over the whole situation. “We never said we were dating or that we were girlfriends or anything. We said we were going to see what this was, and apparently, it was a disaster waiting to happen.”

  “You don’t mean that.” Blake’s voice cracked as hot tears fell onto her cheek. She reached out for Alexis’s hand but stopped short. “Alexis, I love you. Believe me when I say that.”

  “I love you too, but...” Shaking her head, Alexis looked away and wiped tears from her eyes before looking back at Blake. “I can’t do this. Not right now. It’s one thing when it’s you and me safe in one of our apartments, and no one else is around, but it’s another thing entirely when my life starts getting plastered all over social media. And it’s unbearable to think that our lives could negatively affect Harper. I…I can’t do that. I’ve always put my daughter first, and I’ve failed her by letting my guard down.”

  “You know I would never knowingly put you or Harper in any situation that was dangerous. I’m sorry that I didn’t think about paparazzi. I honestly thought we were safe there.”

  “I need time to think about how all this,” she motioned her hand back and forth between them. “Please understand that.”

  “I do, Lex.” She fervently nodded. “I do. Take your time. We can figure this out. We are worth fighting for. Don’t you agree?” Alexis only nodded. Blake could tell she wanted to say something but kept quiet instead. ”Ok, well, I guess I’ll go. Would it be ok if I called you when I got to Vancouver tomorrow?”

  Alexis bit her bottom lip. “Is it ok if I call you when I’m ready?”

  “Of course.” Blake nodded, only feeling slightly rejected by Alexis’s counter offer. “Take you
r time. I’ll be here. Always.”

  With another nod, Alexis turned and headed back in the door. Blake resisted the urge to grab her arm and pull her into a hug. She needed that reassurance in that moment that everything was ok but understood Alexis needed time.

  Before the door fully closed behind Alexis, it opened again.

  “Oh,” Sophia’s voice dropped slightly as she made eye contact with Blake. “I’m guessing you’re the pizza delivery person then.”

  “Yeah, I thought you all might like some for dinner. There’s a veggie pizza for you and a sausage for Harper, since that’s her favorite.”

  “Well, that was very nice of you.” The sincerity in Sophia’s voice caught Blake off guard. She hesitated for a moment then asked, “did you two work things out?”

  “Sort of. I guess.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I know she needs time and I am willing to give it to her but I don’t want to lose her.”

  Sophia nodded twice. “Your lives are very different. Alexis isn’t a public person, and you, well, you’re you.” She attempted a laugh, but it fell short. “Alexis needs time. You know Alexis. She overthinks things and has to process when unexpected things happen. I know you want to fix everything right now but, in this case, showing her you love her means walking away and giving her the space that she needs.”

  Blake knew Sophia was right. She didn’t like that fact; she hated it, actually. But she was right. She did know Alexis, and Alexis did need space. As badly as Blake didn’t want to, she knew giving Alexis the space she needed was the right thing to do.

  Nodding slowly, Blake fought back the tears as she stuffed her hands into her pockets.

  “Tell her I love her, and I’ll be waiting on her call.”

  “I will.”

  “Thank you.”

  The olive branch Sophia had extended was more than Blake expected.

  Hopefully Alexis would call her sooner rather than later.

  Chapter 32

  Two weeks had passed since Blake had left the Cove, and Alexis had thrown herself into anything and everything that would distract her mind from the absence. She spent any free time outside of work with Harper trying every kind of adventure she could think of. They’d gone fishing, ridden bikes around the Cove, and taken a pottery class. They had even taken Tucker, the newest member of the family, to the dog park every night, which Alexis had quickly realized was the only way to wear out his energetic ass. Alexis felt guilty she’d skipped game nights two weeks in a row and knew that sooner or later, her friends weren’t going to let her get away with it. They’d come over and drag her out of her funk and into talking about her feelings.