Blake: A Bad Boy Romance Read Online Free Page A

is so worried about leaving his store for two weeks. Has he really never taken a vacation?” Ellen asked.
     
    “We used to do long weekend trips,” Ivy answered with a smile. “Sometimes going to the beach or camping. But you shouldn’t let him use the store as an excuse. He has an excellent assistant manger and he deserves the time off. Besides, I’m only an hour away. I can go look in on it for his peace of mind.”
     
    “You’re a good daughter,” Ellen said. “I always liked you when you and Blake were together. You were good for him.”
     
    “Thanks. But that was a long time ago. Blake and I are different people now.”
     
    “Not Blake, he’s exactly the same as ever.”
     
    Ivy agreed with a nod. But she was desperate to change the subject. She didn’t want to talk about Blake. She didn’t want to think about him. But no matter how hard she tried to put him behind her, he kept popping up in her vision.
     
    “Roses and lilies are my favorite flowers,” Ellen said as they wandered the fragrant smelling floral shop. There were brilliant red roses with sharp thorns, white lilies with pink centers, and tall, purple irises.
     
    “Maybe you should have roses for your bouquet and lilies for the centerpiece,” Ivy offered.
     
    “I think that sounds lovely,” Ellen offered. “There are so many colors to choose from. It could be a veritable rainbow of flowers in the hall.”
     
    “That sounds nice,” Ivy said. And it did sound nice. She was going to keep herself together with her father’s upcoming wedding. She was not going to let Blake and his teasing ways get to her.
     
    “Ivy,” Ellen said, turning with a single rose in her hand. “I wanted to ask you something.”
     
    “Of course,” Ivy answered. She figured it might have been a money question. Ivy worked in finance and she was used to people asking her questions about their 401k or investments they wanted to try.
     
    “I’m just so happy that you approve of my relationship with your father. It means the world to me and to Jonas and I really want you to be involved in the wedding. I was hoping I could ask you to be my Maid of Honor.” Ivy looked at Ellen in shock. But before she could speak Ellen continued quickly. “It wouldn’t be much work. I don’t want a bridal shower or anything like that. Just someone to come with me to buy my dress and help me get ready the day of. I don’t have any sisters-”
     
    “Ellen, I would love to,” Ivy answered taking the other woman’s hand in hers.
     
    Tears filled Ellen’s eyes and she looked away quickly, wiping them with a smile as she turned to look at a heart-shaped arrangement.
     
    Ivy was not going to be some spoiled teenager who ruined her father’s wedding. She was going to do whatever it took make sure it went off without a hitch. She would help Ellen as best she could and she would work at the hardware store herself if that was what it took to get her father to enjoy his honeymoon.
     
    “Jonas is going to ask Blake to be his Best Man,” Ellen said. “What do you think Blake will say?”
     
    “An opportunity for Blake to be at the center of the action, there’s no way he’ll pass it up,” Ivy answered. Plus, she knew Blake would take every chance he could get to tease Ivy. But he would also be good at it. Blake was a lot of things, but he was a good friend and you could always rely on him.
     

 
    Chapter Five
     
     
     
    “Blake!” The shout echoed across the gym as all the heads turned to look at him. A short, stocky, but strong looking man jogged over to Blake and threw his arms around him.
     
    “Hey, Paulie,” Blake said as he returned the hug. “It’s good to see you, old man.”
     
    And with that, Paulie socked him right in the stomach. “Call me and old man with your guard down, that’s what you get,” he said with a loud staccato laugh. He threw his arm around Blake’s shoulder as Blake coughed and tried to catch his breath from the shorter