Page 82 of Between Secrets and Obsession

“You should be.”

“But I’m not sorry for wanting what’s best for you and keeping you safe.”

“What’s that mean?” I cross my arms. You don’t think I’m capable of taking care of myself?”

Liam shakes his head, frowning. “You don’t get it, do you?”

I’m ready to rip his head off his shoulders. “Get what?”

“Nothing. Never mind.” Then he walks away.

I’m so frustrated, but I close my eyes and try to take in a deep breath. The man is so confusing that I can’t even beginto understand him. He’s an enigma. Releasing a huff, I walk to my room to grab my heels, purse, and phone. Taking a quick glance in the mirror, I smooth down my flyaways, then watch TV while I wait. I’m finally calm when Sophie comes in, fresh and showered.

“I thought you fell in,” I tease.

She laughs. “I wanted to.”

Before Sophie sits, the doorbell rings.

“Ooh, I’ll get it!” she says eagerly, rushing to answer it. I follow her, and a big cheesy grin fills my face when I hear Blake ask for me. I stand and meet him at the door.

“Wow, Maddie. You look gorgeous,” he says, eyeing me with a smile. He stands tall with a fresh bouquet in his hand.

“Thank you. So do you.” I scan down his body, appreciating every inch.

“These are for you.” He steps inside and hands them to me. “The color reminded me of your eyes.”

“Aww…” Sophie singsongs.

Chuckling, I almost forgot she was standing beside me. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.” I hold out my hand, gesturing between them. “Blake, this is my oldest sister, Sophie.”

He shakes her hand and gives her a polite smirk. “Nice to meet you, Sophie.” Tilting his head, he studies our features. “Yeah, you two are totally sisters.”

I think I see Sophie blush. “Wait until you meet Lennon.” She snickers.

“They’re blue.” Liam stalks over, interrupting our conversation as he crosses his arms.

“What?” Blake asks, furrowing his brows and straightening his stance.

“Her eyes are blue. Like the sky on a cloudless sunny day or the ocean just before the sun sets.” My heart hammers in my chest while Liam talks about my eyes as if he’s studied them foryears. “Those flowers are purple.” Liam jerks his head toward them in my hand.

“Soph…” I direct my gaze toward her, nearly pleading for help. I already scolded Liam earlier, which obviously did nothing, but I refuse to fight with him in front of Blake.

“Yep, time for you two lovebirds to go.” She steps around me and pushes Liam away.

“Can you put these in a vase for me?” I ask.

Sophie grins and takes them. “Of course!”

I grab Blake by the arm with an apologetic expression.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn't do,” Sophie calls out, which makes me snort, considering she hooked up with Mason in a bar bathroom the first night they met.

Blake walks me to the car where he opens my door. “You really do look absolutely stunning, Maddie.”

I smile wide and thank him. “You do too,” I say, appreciating how defined his arms are under his shirt. As he backs out of the driveway, Blake tells me to pick the music station, which has me chuckling. He’s about to get an earful of Selena Gomez.

“So how comfortable are you in a dress?” he asks with an eyebrow popped.