She got up from the chair without throwing a glance to Blake. She could sense his anger.
"Hi." She smiled at James. He looked good. He had a denim jacket over a white shirt. His smile added to his appeal. She was startled when Blake’s chair made a loud noise when he stood up angrily. James eyes moved to him while her throat seemed to have gone dry. She had no choice but to transfer her eyes to him too. He of course was fuming. His fists were clenched on his sides.
"Heather!" Came Stacey’s voice.
Nick who was poker-faced was behind her. He was staring at Blake. She almost ran to her sister feeling a bit relieved. Stacey said hi to Blake who just nodded. His lips were set in a thin line.
"James has been waiting for you.” Nick said.
The atmosphere around them was really awkward. James looked at her and Blake alternately with a deep frown. Blake on the other hand was glowering at him. Stacey saw how he was clenching and unclenching his fists. She would really talk to her husband later. He didn’t tell her that he planned to call James. Now she realized that the little revenge on Blake he was talking about in the car was this. She thought that since she told him that Blake was jealous of him, he would just be extra nice and sweet to her sister. They all knew that Blake would not sock him because he was Heather’s brother-in-law. James on one hand was an entirely different story that was why she hurriedly went to the café to follow Nick’s brother-in-law. From her sister and Eve's story, she learned that Blake was like Nick when he was jealous. He could do very bad things. She sighed and just introduced the two men.
“Blake this is James, Nick’s brother-in-law. James this is Blake…”
"I’m Heather’s boyfriend.” Blake said which made the sisters’ eyes widened. He didn't extend his hand, he was just glowering at James.
The latter’s frown deepened and Nick cocked his left brow. He then said, "Correction...ex-boyfriend.."
Blake threw him a black look. They angrily stared at each other. "We had a misunderstanding and we are fixing it." Blake said through gritted teeth. It was intended for all of them but he never removed his angry eyes at Nick.
"Still an ex. Which means my sister-in-law is single and ready to mingle. She is not committed to anyone." Nick sounded as cool as a cucumber.
James’ frown disappeared and his face lightened while Blake looked menacing.
"Honey! Let’s go back to the bar! Billy might be wondering where we are." Stacey said to break the tension.
“I know. Time for us to go back.” Heather agreed and started to walk out of the café. She stiffened when she felt James’ hand on her elbow. She could feel her heart beating fast. She couldn’t even turn to look at Blake.
It was Stacey who noticed that Blake was menacingly coming towards James. She acted quickly. She pulled Heather to her side and held her hand. James couldn’t do anything. He was on her left side while Heather was on her right side next to Nick and Blake was a three steps away from her husband.
"Honey, I will just talk to Heather and Blake. You and James could go ahead.”
"Let’s all go together.." He answered sounding cool.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I want to talk to them alone. We won’t be long.” She said in a cold voice.
Nick probably noticed that she was annoyed because of what he did so he just nodded. At least he was able to have his little revenge on Blake. But he was not done yet. He smiled and tap James on the back.
"Let’s go James. Just wait for Heather inside. Don’t worry you will have her all to yourself later. I will make sure of that.”
"Go now honey!!" Stacey sounded exasperated. Her husband was making things worse.
Heather bit her bottom lip when Blake cursed. They all heard him.
“Let’s go back to the table and sit.” Stacey suggested.
When they all sat down, Heather threw Blake a glance which she regretted doing. His expression was really grim as he looked at her.
"Your husband is deliberately pushing my buttons Stacey." He said in an arctic voice.
Stacey sighed. "I'm sorry Blake. He is just in a playful mood. I don’t think he did that intentionally."
He curled his lip." It’s obvious. He's trying to get back at me."
“ I will talk to him later.”
He transferred his eyes at Heather. "You seem so quiet sweetheart. You haven't said a thing since your date arrived.” He said in a steely voice.
She had no choice but to look at him. “He’s not my date..”
“That’s not the impression I got.”
She felt uncomfortable looking at his eyes. They were dark and hard.
"Enough of that. Let’s talk about more important things. Blake, tell me what your intentions are."
"Heather and I already talked about that before that asshole came." He responded but his eyes were still at Heather.
Stacey looked at the chocolates on the table. She stifled a smile. Seemed like Blake was slowly realizing a lot of things. He was making efforts already. She glanced at her sister then at Blake. They look good together. They make a striking couple. She couldn’t wait to see how her nieces and nephews would look like. It was obvious that the two were in-love with each other. Blake just had to set his priorities straight and her sister should also do the same. Soon Blake would forget Kristel’s son once he and Heather had kids of their own. She was happy that her younger sister had really changed . She deserved a man who would take care of her. And that was Blake. Just a little more push and everything would be alright.
"If your sister will give me another chance, I will make it up to her." he said seriously.
Stacey chewed the inside of her bottom lip as she and Heather locked eyes. "That’s good to know. But I hope you won’t get angry with my suggestion. Let her meet other men. She has the freedom to choose who is for her. I’m afraid I have to agree with my husband. Heather is single. Not committed.”
Blake leaned forward. His elbows were on the table. His expression dark. His eyes went to Heather. The latter swallowed.
"Sweetheart, after hearing my side and the things that I am willing to do so you will finally go back to me, do you agree with what your sister and brother-in-law said? Aren’t you committed to me? " he asked in a very cold tone.
She was trying very hard to hold his stare. She knew him too well. She had to give it to him because he was able to control himself. If Nick wasn’t Stacey's husband she was sure a brawl would have happened. And if Stacey wasn’t here, Blake would have beaten up James. She felt that he was sincere with what he said to her though. He was slowly changing. He was beginning to really woo her. The chocolates meant a lot to her. But a part of her had to agree with her sister. He should show her what more he could do for her. Stacey’s eyes were also on her as they both waited for her answer.
Heaving a sigh, she said, “I can't say that I am committed to you.."
"That is just bull!” His voice thundered in the room which caused the other customers to look at their table. Stacey gasped.
“Don’t be angry! Let me explain myself. I am not committed to you or to anyone. We both agreed that you will woo me right? So basically I am not committed to you. But I promise even if other men will pursue me, I won’t do anything that will anger you. Just trust me, please." She pleaded.
He angrily raked his hand through his hair. "You fucking now that I don't want any man around you much more woo you dammit!" he rasped.
"You have to learn how to control your jealousy Blake .And you should begin to trust my sister .." Stacey commented.
Blake looked at her. "Nick doesn’t get jealous anymore?" he asked with one eyebrow cocked. Stacey slightly frowned.
"I thought so..." He said with a sneer." Tell that to me when your husband is no longer possessive or jealous.” He added.
Stacey straightened her back. "Blake, excuse me for saying this. Nick is not like you. My husband probably has a natural jealous streak so that’s why he has been like that since the beginning of our relationship. But you weren’t like this before. You changed after Kristel. I don’t want you to compare my sister to her . Your relationship with Heather will not work out unless you start trusting her.”
Heather had her head bent as she listened.
" Well it is probably the perfect time to talk about all these since you are already here. I want you and Heather to hear what I have to say.”
Heather’s hands felt clammy. She was nervous because she had no idea what he was about to say.
"You see Stacey, there is no comparison. I will be honest. I am like this because of the strong emotion that I have for Heather. I admit that I didn’t trust her in the beginning. I felt that she leads men on. But after we had been intimate I discovered something about myself. If I became possessive that's because I want to guard what's mine. She is very attractive and I don’t want to lose her. I am sure your husband feels the same towards you though you are already his wife. By nature, men are territorial. You didn’t see that in me before because I wasn't with the right woman yet." he said while looking at Heather with intensity.
The sisters were speechless. Heather’s palm went to her chest. Her heart was beating fast. She couldn’t believe Blake said that she was the right woman for him.
"B-Blake.." She murmured his name huskily because she didn’t know what to say. She was in awe.