I find myself unable to control my grin. “Sure, but you better lawyer up because you are getting the fifth degree when you get here. Get me?”

“Yeah, I got ya. Love you sweetie. See you very soon. And don’t worry, you’ll also be getting your own line of questioning, so be prepared to spill. Bye, Alex.”

“Bye hon, be safe and see ya soon. Love you,” I say, hanging up my phone. Blake crashes down on the couch beside me leaving Kyndall and Nycole to their game. Rylie immediately crawls into his lap and continues to watch her sisters.

“Harlow?” he asks, still grinning.

“Yeah, they’re on their way back. You’ll be relieved of your duties in a couple of hours.”

“Well, thank God for that. I mean, hanging out with kids and playing video games all day…it’s been really awful. I’ll be glad to finally be done with all of this hard work,” he says elbowing me in the side.

“You know what I mean, Blake. I’m sure there’s stuff you need to do. You can’t take care of me forever. You have your own life.” I elbow him right back.

“Ouch!” he cries out as he grabs his side. “You have some sharp elbows, Alex.” Rylie looks as him with concern, but Blake winks at her. She smiles back at him and crawls off of his lap to sit closer to Nycole and Kyndall.

“I know. They’re lethal weapons so watch out. I plan on using them next time you guys decide I can’t play. Jerks,” I add with a roll of my eyes.

Blake laughs and looks forward, focusing on the game.

“It doesn’t make you a weak person if you let people help you every once in a while,” he says quietly.

I look over at him but he continues facing the TV.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re so stubborn, Alex.” He finally turns and faces me. He looks me directly in the eyes and doesn’t hesitate. “It doesn’t bother me to be here no matter what you think. I enjoyed the time I’ve spent with you and your girls this weekend. This is the most fun I’ve had in a really long time, longer than what you probably realize. So stop trying to push me away, Alex. I know what you’re doing.”

I break his gaze as I look down to the floor. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Blake.”

He doesn’t force me to look back at him as he continues. “Yes, you do, Alex. You know exactly what you’re doing. You’re trying to push me away. You’re trying to make yourself believe that I don’t want to be here. Trying to convince yourself that my life can’t include you. This is the second time you’ve attempted to make a point regarding me having my own life. I do have a life, Alex, but that doesn’t mean it can’t include you. I’m not going to let you push away this friendship because you feel scared, or guilty, or whatever is bringing this on. I’m not going anywhere. So stop pushing.”

I look up from the floor to once again meet his eyes. They’re full of determination. And a little anger. I immediately reach over and give his hand a gentle squeeze.

“I’m sorry, Blake. I can’t explain why I do it. I guess part of me feels like I’ve already taken advantage of Harlow’s kindness and I don’t want to do the same to you. I don’t want you to miss out on your life because of me. You have so much of it left to live. I don’t want you to get sucked into my life, only to look back one day and realize you missed out on yours. That’s all,” I say, letting out a deep breath.

“Well, why don’t you let me make that decision, Alex? That’s all I ask.” He offers me a soft smile and squeezes my hand in return.

“Alright, Blake.” I take my hand back and use it to push myself off the couch. “But don’t blame me when we’re eighty years old and you have to stop by my house every day to help me clean litter boxes. I plan on being one of those old ladies with like a hundred cats. Just remember this moment when that becomes your inevitable future.” I give him a huge smile and walk to where Blake left his Wii remote and push the “A” button to turn it on.

“But for now, all I ask, is for you to work your magic and get me into this game. We’ll play doubles,” I say giving him a wink of my own.

Evidently there’s a John Hughes marathon on VH1 which is freakin’ awesome…for me anyway. Blake and I have now taken over the TV and are watching one of my favorite movies of all time. Some Kind of Wonderful. Sigh.

I love Watts. There’s something about her that I really identify with for some reason, I always have. I don’t know if it is her tomboy persona, her tough exterior, her mad drumming skills, or the fact that she told the evil Amanda Jones… “You break his heart, I’ll break your face.” Probably all of the above.

My favorite scene in the movie is the end…of course. When Keith gives Watts the diamond earrings. Walking down the street she asks him how they look and he says, “You look good wearing my future.” I used to live for that line, yet every time I see that movie randomly on TV, I never get to hear it. It never fails that my children somehow manage to distract me.

Well not today! I have Blake here to distract them.

So as the movie starts to come to the end and I see Watts walking down the street crying with Keith running up behind her, I scoot to the edge of my seat in anticipation. When he kisses her, I smack Blake on the shoulder repeatedly out of pure excitement. He looks back at me like I’m crazy.

“I can’t help it Blake! I never, ever, ever, get to see this part. You know I love it!” He rolls his eyes and sighs. “Yes, Alex, I know you love it. I know the scene by heart thanks to you. It’s stuck, right here,” he points to his head, “in my brain, taking up very important space that could have actually stored something useful.”

I roll my eyes. “It is useful, Blake. You never know when you need a good line to use on the woman of your dreams.” I wink at him. “Now you have one ready for use. Now shush! He’s gonna say it!”

I eagerly turn back to the TV, writhing with excitement, when right on cue, the girls run into the room screaming something about the computer and sharing.

“No! No! No!” I jump up to look for the remote…thinking maybe I can pause it. “Blake, do you know where the remote is?” I literally grab Blake with one hand and pull him up off the couch. I start pulling up the couch cushions…nothing.

Blake’s laughing hysterically.

“Mommy! Kyndall and Nycole won’t let me play my games. They aren’t shaaaaaring!”

“Mom, she’s been playing on it since we got in there! She is lying!” Nycole’s voice gets a whole octave higher at the end.

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

I tune them out, dropping to my knees to scan for the remote under the couch. I see a few candy wrappers and a couple of eating utensils. Where in the world –

I look up at the TV and see the credits beginning to roll. I sprawl out face down on the floor, fighting the overwhelming urge to kick and scream and wail and roll around …Kinda like Rylie when she doesn’t get her way. Just as I feel like giving in to the tantrum temptation, I hear Blake addressing the girls.

“Hey! Let’s play hide and seek! I think that would be safer than sticking around here right now.” I continue laying on the floor in defeat. “One…two…three…” The girls squeal and run out of the room. Blake sits down next to me. I can feel him staring at the back of my head.

“Don’t even start with me, Blake. You know that’s my favorite part. I never get to hear my favorite line. Ever. Is it really asking too much? It’s like they have radar or something.” I lie there for a couple more seconds. “I’m selling them Blake. So don’t get too attached.”

He chuckles. I push myself into a seated position right next to him. “I’m serious, Blake.” I stare forward at the wall…specifically the crayon drawn hand holding stick figures that have been there for a couple of months now.