Page 47 of After You Returned

“Not with moonshine that tastes like someone mugged a gingerbread man and drowned him in floor cleaner, you aren’t.”

“Are you saying you wouldn’t mug a gingerbread man with me?”

I gasp. “I would never mug a gingerbread man.”

Miles snorts. “And you wouldn’t steal from Santa Claus either.”

I wag my finger at him. “It was your fault.”

He clutches his chest. “How was it my fault?”

“You tackled the elf.”

He growls. “The elf slapped your ass.”

“You gave him a bloody nose.”

“He deserved it.”

“They were going to arrest you. I was forced to steal from Santa Claus to give you a chance to escape.”

“It’s a good thing you’re a fast runner.”

“I circled around and gave Santa all his money back.”

He rolls his eyes. “Of course, you did, Blaze.”

Those butterflies in my stomach love him using his nickname for me. I know better. Miles talks the talk, but he doesn’t walk the walk.

“Miles, I’m not your Blaze anymore.”

“But you can be again. I want you to be again.” He steps closer and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “What do you want?”

I want to believe him. More than anything I’ve ever wanted before. But I don’t. I don’t trust Miles. He’s not a stayer. He’s a leaver. The first time he left me nearly killed me. I don’t think I can survive a second time.

“I don’t want to get my heart broken again.” My eyes widen when I realize what I said. “Not that you can break my heart. I won’t let you. I’m not starting a relationship knowing it’s a dead end.”

“We are not a dead end,” he grumbles.

“Agree to disagree.” I clear my throat. “Now, are we doing some PT or what?”

He stares at me for a long moment and I hold my breath. I don’t know how long I can resist Miles. I’ve never been good at resisting him before. Which is how I ended up in this whole mess in the first place. But resist him I must.

“Sure. What are we doing today?”

I allow the tension in my body to release before answering, “Strengthening exercises and targeted training. I want to make sure your rotator cuff is as strong as it can be since surfing season is coming up.”

“It’s always surfing season.”

I snort. “If you can afford to travel all over the world chasing waves.”

“I don’t have time to travel the world. Business is booming atBuccaneer’s Whiskey & Distillery.”

I lead him to the largest room in my practice with all of the rehab equipment. “You don’t seem happy about business booming.”

I motion for him to lie on the exercise bench. Once he’s lying on his side with his affected arm on top, I hand him a weight.

“I thought I was going to spend my career surfing. But thanks to this.” He nods to his shoulder. “I work in an office. I hate sitting behind my desk.”