It was almost enough to make me believe it.
But then, everything with us was always almost.
I almost lost control when she pinched my nipple.
I almost asked to fuck her without a condom.
I almost told her I loved her when it was over.
Almost.
She’d changed the subject and gotten out of bed before I could embarrass myself, thank God, and I’d had a few minutes to regain my fucking sanity. Then we cuddled up close and I’d had every intention of letting her close those big blue eyes and get some sleep.
But her ass…it was right there next to my dick, and I cannot be responsible for ideas my dick gives me when it’s close to her ass. I just can’t. Even when the idea is to bite it so hard she screams.
And then it was like magic, because instead of telling me to fuck off and leave her be, she turned to me and opened her arms. And her legs. And her lips. It didn’t even feel real. Was it just make-believe, like all the games we used to play?
I want you, she said.
I trust you, she said.
Give me everything, she said.
That was my favorite—give me everything.
I would. I would give her everything.
Even if it was only make-believe.
The next day at work should have been miserable. I think Miles and I might have slept for half an hour, but even after we did it a second time, we found it hard to sleep. Our bodies were tired, but we kept making jokes, or kicking one another, or bringing up a childhood memory that made us laugh. The entire night was just ours, like we existed outside of time, in our own little world. Granted, the beginning of the evening was a bit shaky, and there were plenty of cracks on his part about my drunken attempt at seduction, but by five AM when we stumbled out to his Jeep, shushing each other because my parents’ house was right next door, exhausted and sore and smiling, I was convinced it had been the best night of my life. Not just because of the sex, but because it was the lightest I’d felt in I couldn’t remember how long. I had no clue what the hell was going on with my life, but for once, I didn’t care.
Miles drove me to my house and dozed on the couch while I took a two-minute shower and changed, then he insisted on coming into the shop with me and helping me open up. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he said he’d work for buns, so I let him stay.
We were like two goofy kids all morning, snickering whenever we made eye contact, making jokes about glazing buns, and sometimes just dropping everything to kiss—he’d back me up against the giant stainless refrigerator, I’d jump up and straddle him out of nowhere, he’d corner me in the walk-in pantry.
It was silly and sexy and exactly what I needed, so I didn’t dwell on the fact that in the three years since I’d owned this shop, not once had Dan ever come in to help me open up. I don’t even think he’d ever offered—if I’d stayed the night at his place, he drove me to my condo and went right back home, or he’d let me take his car.
But Miles…Miles stayed with me.
So all morning I ignored my phone when I saw that it was Dan calling, and I never opened any of his texts. If he showed up, I’d kick his sorry ass right out.
When Hailey arrived, I could see her looking back and forth between Miles and me, wondering what was going on with us. I’d introduced him as an old friend the other day, but even though she was barely out of her teens, I think she knew better. The air between us crackled with sexual energy.
At around noon, the caffeine buzz started to wear off. “Oh my God,” I said, slumping onto the kitchen counter. “I’m dying. I’m not gonna make it.”
“Yes, you will.” Miles was on dish duty, loading cups and plates and silverware into the washer since I’d asked Hailey to be more visible up front today. My puffy eyes with dark circles underneath were not fit to be seen out there.
“I’m not. I’m gonna die. Need sleep.”
“We’re gonna nap so hard when we’re done here, Nat. I’m serious. Fucking gold medal nap.”
“Nap. Naaaaaaaaap,” I moaned.
“A couple more hours. You can do it.” He came over and took me by the shoulders, straightening me up. “Hey. You’re taking the day off tomorrow. You work too hard.”
I laughed weakly, but I felt like crying. “I can’t do that.”
“Yes, you can. And you will. If I have to pay your staff myself, you are doing it.”
I sighed. “Michael will be back. He can probably handle things for a day.”
“He can. I am sure of it.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“Doesn’t matter. You hired him, so he’s talented and competent. He can run a goddamn diner for a day.”
I made a face. “It’s not easy, you know.”
“I know. Believe me.” He gathered me close, and I rested my head on his shoulder, thinking that if he just stayed still, I could sleep like this, standing up. “There’s a reason I chose writing as a profession. I don’t want to be in charge of people. I’m barely good at being in charge of myself. But you’re amazing at it. You’re so amazing that Michael has picked up on exactly what to do to keep this place going in your absence for a day. Or a week.”
I pulled away from him. “What week?”
“A vacation. You need a week off, I think.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw, then snapped his fingers. “A road trip. That’s it.”
“You’re insane. I can’t leave here for a week!”
“A road trip to…” Miles went on as if I hadn’t spoken. “Detroit!” His face lit up. “We’ll drive down to Detroit, spend a few days there hanging out, and I’ll show you all my favorite places. How about it?”
“A week? No way.” I folded my arms. “Can’t do it.”
“Then three days.” Miles took me by the wrists and shook my arms. “That’s all I ask. Three days of relaxation and fun with me, and then you can come back here, be a grown up and make that frowny face all you like.”
I snatched my arms away. “I don’t make a frowny face!”
He burst out laughing. “You do. It looks like this.” He set his jaw stubbornly, his bottom lip a little pouty, and squinted.
I winced. “Please tell me I do not make that face.”
“You do,” he assured me. “But I would too if I dealt with managing people day in and day out. Or if I just got out of a dead end relationship and needed to have some fun.”
I looked away, a little sadness seeping into my bloodstream for the first time today. I’d successfully avoided thinking too much about Dan, for the most part, unless it was to make unfavorable comparisons to Miles. But that wasn’t really fair. Miles wasn’t here to stay, either.
A week. That was his best offer.
Should I take it?
“I don’t know,” I said. “Let me think about it.”
Miles grabbed my face and planted a big kiss on my lips. “You’re adorable when you’re serious. It makes me want to spank you.”
“Shhhhhhhh!” I shoved his hands down. “Someone might hear you.”
“Good.” He grabbed me again, pulling my head to his chest and yanking on my hair. “Everyone should know the real you, you dirty slut.”
“Oh my God.” I pushed him away, but I had to laugh. “You are a horrible person, and I am too tired to deal with horrible people right now. That’s the whole reason I’m back here today.”
“Fine. I will go out and charm your customers for you.” He adjusted the crotch of his pants. “You’re welcome.”
• • •
Two hours later, Miles drove me back to my house, and I had a hard time staying awake on the ten-minute ride.
“Want to come in and nap with me?” I asked. “Then when we wake up, I can give you a tour.” I did want to show him the house, but honestly I just didn’t want to part with him yet. The moment he left my side I’d have to deal with the fallout of my relationship, including the fact that Dan had cheated on me, and I didn’t think I was ready to face that yet. Miles was the perfect distraction, and I was giving myself permission to be distracted for the time being. Something I’d never done before.