I didn't kiss him again. Three days and I have kept my resolve to not kiss him again. How many times have I thought about it? I lost count after it hit a hundred. All I have to do is look at his face, and my thoughts go straight to our heated make-out session.

Blake is having the time of his life. He gets to annoy me without even saying a single word. I can't help the curse that leaves my mouth upon seeing that stupid grin of his because it makes his dimples pop more prominently. It's been a torture to sit across him every day.

I'm so glad it's the weekend and I have gone back to ignoring him. He's any way on campus from Monday to Thursday next week. He has some assessments and lectures to cover up which he missed earlier. He explained it to me and being a student intern, the company anyway cannot argue with it. He'll just have to work extra days to cover up for the missing days.

After leaving his apartment, I went straight to Genesis. She provided me with much needful escape for some fifteen minutes before Blake's face kept flashing in front of my eyes.

"Hey, Olivia and Sam are coming over tonight, no?" Nick asks me as he pours himself a glass of orange juice on Saturday evening.

"Myra too. Everyone should be here in an hour," I tell him, munching on the fries as I sit in front of the television, watching reruns of Friends while chilling on my recliner.

Best day ever. Except for Blake's annoying face in my head. His thought makes me bite harder on the fries.

"Ow!" I yell when I end up biting on my tongue. "Fuck."

"What's wrong?" Nick comes by my side in a second. "Are you okay?"

"I bit my tongue." I complain, scrunching up my face in pain. He gives me a look before flicking at my forehead, making me swat his hand away. "Ow again. What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Drama queen. Actually, my friends are coming over too. We'll try to stay in my room, alright?"

I scowl at him. "Don't be ridiculous. We all get along. They can hang here."

"Are you sure?" He asks me, "Blake will be here too."

"He told you." I groan, causing Nick to laugh loudly as he nods. "He's an idiot."

"Well, can't argue with that. But can't say I didn't see it coming." He shrugs before standing up to go to the kitchen again.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Have you ever heard the two of you talking? I have. There's so much sexual tension between you both, I can cut it with a knife." He scoffs, sipping on the juice before putting the glass in sink.

"Hold on. What?" I gape at him. "That's so not true."

"Ask your friends if you don't believe me."

"But you're my friend." I pout at him dramatically, making him roll his eyes. "It's stupid. It's not going to happen again."

"Sure." He laughs loudly. "That's what you said last time."

"Oh my god. That little bitch. He told you everything?" I stare at him in shock. "What is wrong with him?"

Nick looks so amused as he continues to move around the kitchen. "He can't shut up about you, that's new for Blake."

"I don't like the sound of that." I muse, going back to eating before I look at him. "But what does he say?"

Nick snickers at my question, shaking his head. "Listen to yourself!"

I gasp at him dramatically. "I'm just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat." He shoots back.

But I cannot deny that it leaves me utterly satisfied to know that Blake talks about me with Nick. I might not know what, but it's a good feeling to know that he considers me a part of his life enough to discuss with his best friend.

I haven't told anyone about it. I was planning to tell them tonight but I can just hope they show they up before Nick's friend does. It's like my prayers for the first time in my life are heard when there's a knock on the front door.

Nick opens it for me as all three of my friends come rushing in. I'm glad how well Myra has bonded with everyone, even Nick as they share a hug before they come to greet me.

"How's the job?" I ask, letting go.

"Tiring, but I love every second of it." They grin, turning to Olivia and Sam. "Should we tell her?"

"What?" I frown, making Olivia plop down by my side as I entangle my arm with hers and keep my head on her shoulder. I've missed her.

"We're coming on the trip next week with Nick's friends."

"No." I gasp, my eyes widening as I look at all of them. "When did this happen?"

"Well, Myra's going so we thought we'll be there to keep you sane in light of any drama which might take place." Sam pipes in, snatching fries from my hands and I narrow my eyes at him.

"Myra?" I stare at them for an explanation.

"Nick and Blake brought it up at the party last weekend, so I thought why not." They shrug.

"Where will you even stay?" I look back at Nick and my friends. "Have you guys booked a place? I think we have one spare guest room at ours if no one else is coming."

"Who all are?" Myra asks me, looking a little nervous.

"It's just my family so that's three bedrooms, Blake's family so that's two—"

"Blake's crashing with us." Nick speaks up from the kitchen and I nod because that makes sense.

"And there's Brian and Steve. So yes, definitely, Blake's room will be free. You two can stay there." I offer Sam and Olivia and they grin at me.

The place at the beach is huge enough for all of us, and it if comes to worst, we all can crash on the living room carpet. I'm sure no one would mind. I had planned on drinking this evening but I'm saving up my tolerance for the trip now.

"Myra, you can crash with Ohana and me." I tell them and they shake their head.

"I'm crashing with them. They have three bedrooms, so it will be fine."

"Who's bunking with who?" I look at Nick as I try to think about who Blake will be sharing the room with.

"Audran and Sara, Blake and I, and Myra can take the other one." Nick shares a look with them and they turn to wiggle their eyebrows at me.

"Sorted then. Just know that anytime you come over, my family is super crazy, and I can say that they can go insane with Blake's parents and Steve. Funnily enough, Brian and I are the sanest."

"I've met Brian and I can argue with that statement. That man has crazy written all over him." Olivia laughs by my side.

"And we've met you. So, you don't fit the sane list either." Sam reminds me and I throw a fry at him, which he picks up from his shirt and eats.

"Idiots."

"So, while y'all here and Nick is being a dear friend, pretending not to eavesdrop." I look back at him to find him chuckling at my words. "Blake and I kissed. Don't mention it in front of him. Don't freak out. It's not—"

"What?"

"Seriously?"

"Hold on."

Olivia, Myra and Sam don't even let me complete my sentence as they bombard at me. I shoot them all a look, sulking deeper in the couch as I chew on the fries that I snatched back from Sam.

"Explain." He gives me a look.

"We kissed. It isn't a big deal."

"Yes, it is. It happened twice." Nick contributes from the kitchen and I pick up my slipper to throw at him. He easily dodges it, laughing.

"Shut up." I groan before turning to my friends. "It isn't. It just happened and we can pretend I never told you guys."

I nod to myself before going back to stare at the screen. Before any of them can respond, there's another knock at the front door and I immediately know that it's Nick's friends.

"Not a word." I whisper at my friends who all look beyond amused, except Sam because he's never liked Blake since the night at the bar.

My eyes move to the door where Audran, Sara and Blake enter. He's wearing a white v neck and denims, looking as attractive as always. His eyes meet mine and his usual amused twinkle takes over, winking at me. I curse under my breath before looking away.

"You like him." Olivia whispers by my side and I glare at him. "You're blushing, Em."

"Because I'm embarrassed." I hiss at her.

"Sure. I've known you for couple of years now, you know?" She laughs, clearly amused by this entire situation. "Just so you know, I don't think anyone's judging."

"What are you guys whispering about?" Blake's voice meets my ear as he takes the love seat by my side, making me let out a grumble which makes his smile broaden. "Always such a sunshine."

His words make Olivia laugh but she stops when I jab my elbow into her sides. She gives Blake a tight lipped smile before looking at others.

"Hey, where did you disappear the other day?" Sara asks me when she takes a seat by Blake's side.

My eyes immediately move to Blake who's waiting for me to answer with a small smirk on his face. I clear my throat, "I got a work call."

"Too bad." She pouts, her hand coming to rest on Blake's knee. Without even intending to, my eyes narrow down to it and Myra coughs a little, catching my attention.

They motion for me to cut it off and I sit up straighter on the chair, earning a look from Olivia.

Nick comes down to sit amongst us and I shoot up from the chair, wanting to create distance between Blake and I.

"C'mon here, I'll take the floor." I smile at Nick, going to sit by Sam's side.

"Now you're going to let me sit there?"

"Hey. I'm not that bad." I scowl at him, and he shakes his head at me.

He doesn't argue as he takes a seat by Olivia's side. Once we're all settled down, Sam scoots closer to me, nudging his shoulder with mine.

"It's okay with you if we come to the trip, right?" He asks.

His words make me frown. "Yeah, why?"

"Doesn't Odion freak out a little in new people's presence?"

Shit. I didn't think about that. But he's going to be fine, I believe. He has gotten much better over the years. Plus, he knows Sam and Olivia, they're the ones who'll be staying over. I can't imagine Blake's friends coming over at the family place to hang with us. They will have their own fun.

"Yeah, it'll be fine. I'm glad you guys will be there. I think we all deserve a vacation." I smile at him genuinely.

He nods in agreement. "Absolutely. Just don't bring Genesis, please. I would die."

"Never." I laugh at the thought of Genesis with my friends and family. That would be a freak show. "She doesn't do family trips."

"Good." He shows me his pearly white smile before turning to everyone else. "No one got alcohol?"

"I got it." Olivia jumps up before turning to me. "Beer's in the fridge, right?"

"Some cheap wine in the bottom cabinet." I remind her and she nods at me.

I feel Blake's gaze on me, and it's as unnerving as ever. I try my best not to meet his eyes, avoiding it as much as possible as Olivia gets everyone a drink.

She turns to me with a glass and I shake my head. "I'm good."

"Wow. How long have you gone without a drink?" Myra asks me, looking surprised.

"Almost a month." I respond proudly.

"When was the last time you got drunk?" Audran questions, opening the beer can.

"With Myra at the bar," I say without putting much thought into it but then Myra blushes, reminding me that it also marks a month since I slept with them. Damn.

Mistakingly, I look at Blake and his playful mood is replaced with a scowl as he stares at me. He knows it too. Is he going to be jealous of Myra as well now? Because that's ridiculous. I can't imagine why he would be jealous at all but then I remember how I feel when Sara even touches him slightly.

I'm in such deep shit.

He stands up from the couch and goes to kitchen, my gaze involuntarily following him around. After he pulls out a soda can from refrigerator, he casually walks back to the living room. I hold my breath when I notice that he's coming nearer me, and then he sits down by my side, much closer than my body can handle.

"Here." He offers me the soda, and I look around, grateful that no one noticed his gesture.

"You didn't have to." I roll my eyes, taking it from his hand before popping it open.

"Have you sworn off alcohol completely?" He asks me.

"Nope, saving the energy for the Hamptons." I smile a little. "You knew about everyone coming to the trip, didn't you?"

He shrugs, his eyes focusing on everyone. "Yeah. Myra said they'll talk to Sam and Olivia. I knew they would agree."

"Does El know you'll be staying with your friends?" I ask him, receiving a nod in return.

"She threw a small tantrum about how we don't get to spend enough time together as a family."

"Yeah, that's why I asked." I chuckle, shaking my head.

"It isn't like I would be spending most of my time with these idiots. I'll hang with her too." He shrugs, sipping on his beer.

"Sam and Liv are taking your room," I tell him, finding it hard to stop staring at his face. "That's fine, right?"

"Yes, of course."

"What are you both talking about?" Sam whispers in my ear, earning a scowl in return. "What? I don't like the guy."

"Don't be a bitch." I whisper back. Sam snickers in response before going back to his wine.

"I'm surprised you're talking to me." Blake speaks, catching my attention away from Sam who stands up to get something to eat from the kitchen.

"Why?"

"Because you curse every moment you see my face." He chuckles. He isn't wrong, but he doesn't have to know that. "I thought I would drive you insane."

"You already do." I breathe through my lips.

He clicks his tongue, "Good to know."

I'm not sure if he does it purposely but when his hand comes to land on my knee, I involuntarily suck in a breath from the impact of his touch. When my gaze lands on him, he pretends like he doesn't even notice it, chugging on his beer as he makes a conversation with his friends while I tune everyone out.

What is he doing?

His thumb runs in circles on my pjs but I can feel the warmth of his hand despite the cloth. I fidget a little which makes his hand pause before he drives it up a little to my thigh. I narrow my eyes at him and there's a small smile playing on his lips. Jackass! He knows what he's doing.

I want to swat his hand away, I really do but a huge part of me wants to enjoy the moment without freaking out. When his hand slides up a little, that's when I glare at him.

"What are you doing?" I speak through my gritted teeth, projecting my frustrating emotions towards him.

"What?" He gives me an innocent look, finally turning towards me.

"Blake, don't." I narrow my eyes at him but he just offers me his cheeky grin.

I let out a low grumble before standing up abruptly and his eyes widen from surprise as he looks up at me. I offer a small smile to our friends as they look at me before excusing myself. Without sparing him another glance, I make my way down the hallway but then I hear his footsteps behind, following me.

"Emma!" He calls out, sounding a little worried but then I turn around to face him.

"What?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise I was crossing a line." He apologises and I want to tell him it's not the line that I'm worried about, it's about how much I didn't want him to stop touching me that freaks the hell out of my mind.

But I stay shut as I glare at him. "How difficult is it to understand the meaning of never again?"

"Pretty difficult when we kissed right after you said that." He responds back nonchalantly and I let out a frustrated groan. I start to move to my bedroom but he steps in front of the door, blocking my way.

"Go away, Blake."

He gives me a challenging look in return. When I understand that he isn't really going to listen to me, I turn around to enter the bathroom to get away from him but as soon as I open the door, I let out a very audible gasp.

Nick and Myra immediately break apart when they notice me. A deep flush takes over Myra's face and Nick just stares at me like he has seen a ghost. But then his eyes move behind me and I turn around to see Blake staring at his best friend in just as much surprise.

"Fuck. I'm so sorry!" I start apologising profusely, the reality of the situation finally hitting me.

"You seriously forgot to lock the door?" Myra glares at Nick who swallows while looking at them but he just offers them a shrug.

I had been so engrossed in Blake's touch that I didn't even realise the two of them were missing from the living room, or when they left it to begin with. I have never really walked in on anyone making out so I feel extremely embarrassed as I look at them.

"We're just going to go and pretend we never saw this. If you guys feel comfortable, you can tell us about whatever's going on between the two of you whenever you want?" I offer.

Nick just stares at me, looking between Blake and I while Myra smiles at me, nodding.

"Okay. Lock the door. Or better yet, please go to your room." I shoot Nick a look before closing the door behind myself and end up face to face with Blake's chest.

His scent immediately fills up my nose, wanting me to take a step back but I'm trapped between the door and him. When I look up at him, he's staring at the door, still frozen which makes me sigh.

"Blake?" I whisper, my hand going up to his arm as I shake him a little.

"Huh?" He finally looks at me, probably coming back to reality.

"Are you okay?" I look at him with a frown as worry laces my tone.

"What just happened?" He whisper-yells at me, his eyes going wide.

I look behind myself, then stare at my bedroom door and down the hallway. I don't want anyone else to come here and find Blake and I standing so close to each other. I take his hand despite my own resistance and guide him inside my room.

"Shit. Did I just see Nick and Myra kissing?" He starts pacing as soon as we enter.

When a few seconds pass and he doesn't calm down but instead starts muttering to himself, I speak up, "Blake?"

His eyes snap to mine, filled with mixed emotions but he mostly looks surprised.

"Why will he not tell me? I've known him for two years now. He's literally my best friend, the only one I've ever had. Do you think it's because he thought I'll judge him? Shit, does he think I'm judging him? I didn't even say anything. I'm so dumb, I just stood-"

"Hey, hey, hey." I step closer to him, my hand reaching out to his cheeks to make him look at me because I lost him to pacing again. "Blake, look at me."

When he finally looks into my eyes, he looks like he's panicking inside. I already heard his rant, so I know where his head is at.

"Breathe." My voice is slow and oddly calm as he lets out a deep breath. "Good. Now listen to me, if he didn't tell you, it's because he needs time. It's not easy to talk about your life, and you should know that, right?"

He nods at me, making me feel relieved that I haven't lost him to his thoughts again.

"You're not dumb. I don't ever want to hear you say that word ever again for yourself. You were caught off guard, you didn't know how to react, it came as a surprise. It doesn't mean any judgment."

Again a nod. But then he speaks up, "I'm really not judging, I was just surprised. He hasn't dated anyone since that girl from the party and that was only for a few weeks before he broke it off."

"I know you aren't judging." I assure him, offering him a small smile but with all the panic I forgot about my argument with him.

It takes me a second to realise how close I'm standing to him and my thumb is caressing his cheek. Despite my brain screaming at me to let go, I don't.

•••

thoughts on Blake?