“Yes.” Calvin nodded. His eyes moved slightly past Lila, just for a second. “Well, I have to get to a meeting. Nice seeing you again.” He waved, climbed into his car, started it, and left.
Mia turned to where his eyes had moved, ever so slightly, and frowned when she saw Nolan walking back toward the car, his eyes glued to his phone.
Was it just her, or did Calvin not want Nolan to see him?
Mia shook the notion off. She was being paranoid. This was a small town. Calvin was in a hurry to get to a meeting. That was all.
Nolan reached the car and slid his phone into his pocket. “Sorry to keep you.”
“Not at all,” Mia said.
They got back to the Inn, and Eve and Lila discreetly disappeared upstairs, leaving Nolan and Mia alone in the lobby.
“Tomorrow then?” Nolan asked. “The harbor?”
“I’d love to,” Mia said.
They stood there for a moment, the lobby quiet around them, the night outside pressing against the windows.
Their eyes locked, and Nolan took a step closer.
Mia’s breath caught.
He reached up, his hand gentle as it touched her cheek.
She leaned in, her eyes closing, the world fading to just this moment, this feeling, this?—
“Oh, do excuse me.”
Mia and Nolan jumped apart, turning to see Preston walking past them, his expression pleasant and apologetic. He must’ve just got back from being out.
“Good night,” he said, tipping his hat before disappearing into the dining room.
Mia felt her cheeks flush hot.
Nolan cleared his throat, his hand dropping to his side.
“Well,” Mia said, her voice coming out higher than normal. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”
“Tomorrow,” Nolan agreed.
Mia turned and nearly ran up the stairs, her heart pounding, her face burning, everything inside her a jumbled mess of embarrassment and disappointment and something else she couldn’t quite name.
She didn’t look back.
Couldn’t look back.
Because if she did, she might run back down those stairs and finish what Preston had interrupted.
And she wasn’t quite ready for that yet.
14
EVE
Mia had already left for the day.
Eve found the note on her nightstand when she woke, written in Mia’s neat handwriting:Gone to harbor with Nolan for sunrise shoot. See you tonight. Love you.
