When Blake approaches the stove, Rylie holds her little arms straight up in the air for him to pick her up. He gently lifts her and places her in her usual seat by the stove. “Not too close, Blake.” He looks back at me and laughs. He scoots her over a millimeter. Laughing under his breath, he turns to face me again. “Better?”

I roll my eyes, walk over and slide her much further away. “Better.”

He shakes his head and grabs the mixing bowl and the eggs from the counter. He cracks one and lets Rylie help break it open into the bowl. I leave them to it and turn to help Nycole and Kyndall. “Not the whole bag!” I shout as the last chocolate chip falls into the mix. They giggle together. “Sorry! We used both bags!”

I try to suppress my laughter, but when I look at their not so innocent little faces, I break. “You guys are so bad!”

They continue mixing the pancake ingredients. There are so many chocolate chips it takes both of them to stir the batter. I’m a little worried about how these pancakes are going to turn out. I think the two bags of chocolate chips are a recipe for disaster, literally.

Walking over to the other side of Blake in front of the stove, I grab the skillet and the bacon. “I’m going to make the whole package. I’m starving and I think the girls have officially ruined the pancakes.” Blake turns his body slightly to watch Kyndall while she tries to mix the pancake batter by herself since Nycole has moved on to setting the table. We both laugh at her determined expression. “No, that seems about right. I remember her making that face last time.”

I turn back to face the skillet. “Well, just in case.”

The rest of the cooking goes smoothly. We only had one egg not make it into the bowl…not too bad, especially since it was Blake who had to clean it up. With all the food finally ready, we all migrate to the table. I compliment them on the beautiful centerpiece they created. All of Blake’s roses are bobbing up and down, floating in a lemonade pitcher full of water. Well – it’s the thought that counts.

The girls rush and grab their seats. I plate up their food and Blake delivers it to the table for them. They crack up when he brings them their plate, sets it down in front of them, and bows as he says, “My lady, breakfast is served.” He does this each time he brings one of them their breakfast and they laugh every time.

I peek around the corner to watch his deliveries and I can’t fight the smile on my face. I love to see the girls so happy. It makes my heart feel like it’s going to explode. I make my way back to the counter and lean against it with my arms crossed and a goofy grin on my face. “You’re ridiculous,” I say when Blake once again enters the kitchen.

He walks right up to me and leans past me to grab the salt. His whole body brushes against mine. I grin to myself because I know he’s doing this on purpose. But I allow it because it feels too good not to. I lean into him and he puts his arm over my shoulder. I can feel my pulse racing. My whole body responds to his.

He puts his hand under my hair and places it on the back of my neck, pulling me even closer. I turn my head to place my cheek on his shoulder and my nose in his neck. I inhale deeply and wrap my arms around his waist. He turns so that we’re now standing with our entire bodies touching. Every part of me is pulsating. He moves his hand to gather my hair and gently pulls it to the side. He bends his head down and places his forehead on my exposed neck. I grab his shirt and pull him as close as I can. I can’t seem to be close enough.

“Mommy!” I involuntarily jump when I hear Rylie. “Nycole is spitting her pancake out into the trash!”

I knew it!

Blake lifts his head and places a warm, gentle kiss on my neck, lingering a little before releasing me. Chills break out all over my body.

“I think you’re being summoned.” He clears his throat and raises his head to meet my eyes. Releasing my hair, he runs his fingers over the place on my neck where he just kissed and smiles. Jerking his head to the table he says, “Go ahead. I’ll bring you a plate.” Blake turns away and I feel cold as the warmth from his body leaves mine.

I can’t speak because my mouth is completely parched now, so I just nod my head in response. I push myself off the counter to leave the kitchen. Before exiting, I stop and turn around. With Blake’s back to me, I watch him prepare our plates. “Blake?”

He turns around and his eyes follow me as I walk up to him. Using the same body graze technique he used on me, I reach around and grab the spatula. I pull back slowly, deliberately pressing my body against his, and give him a wink.

“Extra bacon please. Sounds like the pancakes are inedible.” Without another word, I hand him the spatula and I walk out of the kitchen. I can’t help but be pleased with myself.

Two can play at this game, buddy.

“I’m taking off tomorrow to get ready for Rylie’s surprise party.” Blake and I are standing beside each other doing the dishes from breakfast. Well, he’s rinsing them and I’m loading them into the dishwasher. We discussed Rylie’s birthday at breakfast. Although her birthday isn’t until Thursday, we have a tradition that started after Derek passed.

I throw them a surprise party. The excitement is in the anticipation. All they know is that it’s sometime during the week of their birthday. I invite some of their friends and Nancy and John always come. My parents usually can’t make it because they live so far away, but I always tell them when it is so they can call for birthday wishes. Tomorrow is Rylie’s.“I have a lot to do. I just wanted to tell you so you don’t waste your time going to the office to pick me up for lunch.” He hands me a plate.

“Well, I’d be happy to come by here and pick you up. You still have to eat, right?” I place the plate in the dishwasher and look back up at him. “I’ll eat, no need to worry about that.” I give him an ornery smile. “I just can’t go out to eat. I have too much to do. Presents, cake, balloons, banner…I don’t think you understand the Meyer surprise party. It’s kind of a big deal.” I bring up the door to the dishwasher and push it closed with my hip.

Blake leans with his back against the sink drying his hands. “Want some help? I don’t really have any plans tomorrow. I’ll have my cell in case anyone from work needs to get a hold of me. I don’t mind. I’m actually really good at blowing up balloons,” he says with a smile.

Do I think it is safe to spend the day with Blake alone in my house? Definitely not. “Sure.”

Wait! What? Argh – Freakin’ subconscious!

Blake’s smile gets wider. “Great! I’m looking forward to it.” He throws the towel over his shoulder. “We done in here?”

“Yeah, I think so. Let’s see if the girls are ready.”

We told the girls we would take them to the park after breakfast, so as soon as we were done eating, they immediately scampered from the table and went to change out of their formal attire into something more park friendly while we cleaned up the kitchen.

We walk into the living room. Nycole and Kyndall are giggling as they push Rylie in Blake’s direction. She’s holding a piece of purple construction paper in her tiny hands.

When she reaches him, she lifts the paper as high as she can to give it to him. He takes it from her and sits down on the fireplace ledge, placing her on his lap while he opens it. As he reads it, I watch the most beautiful smile slowly makes its way across his face. Rylie eyes him with anticipation, with a big grin also stretching across her face when she sees Blake’s reaction. She looks at her sisters and giggles. He lowers the letter and pulls her into an embrace. “Rylie, I’d love to. If it’s okay with your mommy.” He releases her and leans over, handing me the purple piece of paper.