Chapter 19: Chapter 18. Let’s Play Twenty Questions

CLAIRE

I was grinning like a fool, staring out of Blake’s car window. My heart was light, my mind was clear. For the first time in a long time, things were looking up.

Especially with my parents. They finally got it. They finally understood how much they meant to me.

“You’ve been grinning like a Cheshire cat since you hopped in the car. Care to share what happened back there that’s got you all smiles?” Blake’s voice was laced with amusement.

I turned my gaze from the window to Blake. His eyes were focused on the road, his hands steady on the wheel.

A part of me wanted to tell him. To spill everything about my parents, my life, my everything. But I knew I couldn’t.

Just as I was about to respond, we pulled up to a diner. Molly’s Diner.

My grin grew wider as I took in the sight of the familiar building. The moment Blake parked, I was out of the car and practically sprinting inside.

Blake was quick on my heels.

“Slow down, speed racer!” He was panting slightly as he caught up with me, just as I stepped into the cozy, warm diner.

I scanned the room and spotted Molly taking orders from a couple at a table. She looked up, her eyes meeting mine, and her face lit up. She practically sprinted over to me, mirroring my earlier excitement.

As she neared, she flung her arms wide and pulled me into a tight hug. “Claire, my dear! I’ve missed you,” she exclaimed.

I hugged her back just as tightly. “Missed you too, Molly.” As we pulled apart, she turned her attention to Blake, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“And who might you be, young man?” she asked, her eyebrow arched in question.

Blake cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh, I’m Blake,” he managed.

Recognition dawned on Molly’s face, followed by a wide grin. “You’re on a date!” she declared.

I nearly choked on my own spit. Shaking my head vigorously, I held up my hands in protest.

“No, no. He just asked if I was hungry. When I said ‘yes,’ he brought me here.” I rushed to explain, feeling my cheeks heat up at the sudden awkwardness.

I didn’t understand why I was blushing. Molly nodded, though she didn’t seem entirely convinced.

“Alright.” Her gaze shifted back to Blake. “Are you treating her well?” She shot him a warning glare.

I groaned and closed my eyes, feeling a secondhand embarrassment for Blake’s obvious discomfort. “I guess,” he mumbled.

Molly’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, you better be treating my granddaughter right! I may be old, but I can still pack a punch,” she warned him.

Blake’s eyes widened at Molly’s words. I just waved it off.

Molly always introduced me as her granddaughter, her favorite one at that. Even though we weren’t related by blood, we were family in every other way.

Her own granddaughters rarely visited, so she didn’t see them often.

“Uh...” Blake stammered. “I-I’m sorry. If I had known you were her grandmother, I would’ve been more respectful. I apologize for my—”

Molly cut him off with a chuckle.

“Relax, dear. She’s not my granddaughter by blood. But we consider each other family. So, you better treat her right.” She pointed a finger at him, her eyes serious.

Blake shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. A faint blush colored his cheeks. ~Is Blake Johnson actually blushing?~

Molly turned back to me. “How are your parents?” she asked softly. She knew my parents were a sensitive topic. She only brought it up when she was genuinely worried about me.

But, I smiled, a genuine smile, and nodded. “Great. Everything’s… great.” I sighed.

Molly grinned, leading us to a booth in the corner, next to a window.

She handed us menus and walked away.

I didn’t need to look at the menu. I knew exactly what I wanted. Blake, on the other hand, glanced at the menu briefly before setting it down and giving me a small, nervous smile.

“So…” He began. “Can I um… Well,” He scratched the back of his head. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at his flustered state. His usual bad boy, cocky persona was nowhere in sight.

“Can you what?” I asked, trying to keep a straight face.

Finally, he sighed, seeming to make up his mind. “Let’s play twenty questions,” he suggested.

My eyes widened before narrowing suspiciously. Blake had been acting strangely friendly lately. More interested in me, more… curious. And it was unsettling.

But, figuring there was no harm in a simple game, I decided to play along. It had been a while since I’d let someone in, since I’d had a real friend. So, I shrugged. “Alright,” I agreed.

Blake’s grin returned, and just like that, the cocky, confident Blake was back.

“Alright. Favorite color?” he asked.

“Purple,” I answered without hesitation. “Favorite food?” I countered.

“Steak,” he replied. “Favorite movie?” he asked.

I had to think about that one. Finally, I settled on my favorite childhood movie. “~The Fox and the Hound~.”

I couldn’t help but smile, remembering the countless times I’d watched it as a kid. It was a sad movie, but I loved it. “Favorite color?” I asked.

Blake smiled, a genuine smile, before answering. “Grey,” he said.

I rolled my eyes. I knew why. His eyes. Personally, I loved his eyes more than anything else about him. While other girls might prefer his muscles or ‘Blake Jr.’ “Favorite song?” he asked.

“‘I’ll Fight for You’ by Jason Derulo,” I answered immediately. A smile played on his lips at my quick response. “Favorite movie?” I asked.

He took a moment to think. Seems we both had trouble picking a movie. “~Mr. and Mrs. Smith~,” he answered with a grin. I grinned back.

That movie was about a married couple who were both assassins, but neither of them knew that about the other.

In the end, they were both tasked with killing each other. But instead of following through, they found a way to trust and love each other again. It was a blend of action and romantic comedy, and it was one of my favorite movies.

“What’s your favorite candy?” he asked.

“Skittles,” I replied without hesitation. I was crazy about them. The sweetness, the crunch, everything about them was just perfect. “And yours?” I asked in return.

He grinned. “Twix.” He chuckled.

I found myself smiling too. James also loved Twix.

My smile faded as I thought about James. I hadn’t seen him since the whole Logan incident. I hoped he was okay. I never wished him harm.

Molly came over just then, setting a water bottle in front of me and a Sprite for Blake. She flashed me a sweet smile, but it vanished when she noticed my frown. I shook my head, signaling her not to ask.

She nodded. “Alright then,” Molly murmured, her smile returning.

“I already know what you want, Claire.” She gave me a knowing look. “Blake?” she asked, pulling out her notepad and pen.

Blake nodded, shooting me a worried glance. “I’ll have the steak and mashed potatoes, please,” he said. Molly jotted it down and promised our food would be out soon before walking away.

An awkward silence settled between Blake and me, until he broke it.

“How many past lovers have you had?” he blurted out. His cheeks flushed and he clamped his mouth shut.

Part of me wanted to yell at him for asking such a personal question. But for some reason, I didn’t. I decided it wouldn’t hurt to tell him.

“One,” I said. James was the only boyfriend I’d ever had. I’d had a few one-night stands, but I didn’t count those.

Blake raised an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged. “One. I’ve only ever had one boyfriend,” I repeated.

Blake nodded, processing the information. “What happened? If you don’t mind me asking,” he added quickly.

I shook my head and smiled, letting him know it was okay. “Things just didn’t work out the way I thought they would,” I said.

“He was my first everything: first kiss, first date, first love…” I whispered the last part.

“But then, as quickly as it started, it ended,” I said, my smile fading as I remembered why James and I broke up.

“Things took a turn for the worse. I should’ve known better than to be so trusting and naive,” I sighed. “But it doesn’t matter. It’s in the past. It can’t be changed.” I shrugged, looking back at Blake.

He was staring at me. I could see a hint of pity and a lot of curiosity in his eyes. “So,” I began, “what’s your favorite childhood memory?” I was eager to learn more about him.

A smile spread across his face as he started to talk, all thoughts of me and James forgotten.

“I was nine when my little sister, Anya, was born. She’s nine now,” he said, looking up at me with a smile.

“I was sitting in a chair in my mom’s hospital room when she asked if I wanted to hold her. I was scared at first, but eventually my mom convinced me to sit down and let my dad place her in my lap.

“That was one of the best moments of my life. I love my sister more than anything, except maybe my mom. But that day, I promised Anya I’d protect her forever. And I always keep my promises.”

He finished with a proud grin, happy that his little sister was still safe, thanks to him.

I found myself smiling too. It occurred to me that this was probably the first real moment Blake and I had shared. And I realized I kind of liked it. He was funny, laid-back, and easy to talk to.

“So, what’s your most vivid childhood memory?” he asked.

A smile spread across my face as a particular memory came to mind…