She nodded and was quiet for a few minutes. “You said you liked how I saw you, you and MJ. Saw what you needed. But with Papa not here, I don’t know. Sometimes I wonder who seesme?” The last sentence came out as a whisper as a lone tear tracked down her cheek, still pink from her impassioned speech. It took everything in me not to drag her into my arms. I held myself back but couldn’t help reaching out with my thumb and wiping away her tear, causing her eyes to blink shut.
“I do. I see you,” I whispered. “I see your quiet strength. Your ability to care for people, care about what’s important to them, and that’s only after knowing you for just an evening. I can’t imagine what else I’ll find out about you.”
There was a growing tension between us, like an electrical storm sparking in the air as she stared at me. What was this power she had overme, over my mind, over my good senses? I was in uncharted waters, feeling overwhelmed by the ocean of her eyes and her intoxicating scent. I’d been here before—falling too quickly, too hard, and hadn’t felt this with any woman since then.
But despite my protests, I knew this was different from Katy. Vicky had a depth that set her apart. The age difference didn’t bother me at all, but Enzo did. This unexpected connection was against all his wishes. My desire to see her succeed and follow the dreams she just alluded to weighed on me. But against my better judgment, I wanted to be the one to share them with her, no matter what Enzo said.
“Miles, I…” she said, the doorbell cutting her off, making us both startle. I couldn't decide whether I felt disappointment or gratitude.
“Ah, th-that’s dinner. Um, head to the kitchen. We can eat at the island, if you’d like.” With one more look, I let her hand go and jumped up.
As I rushed like a coward toward the door, a war raged inside me.
Friends, Miles. That’s all you can ever be.
eight
. . .
Vicky
What just happened?
One minute, I was dreaming up ways to dismember Enzo, and the next, I was lost in a moment so foreign, so beautiful, I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.
I’d read about moments like this in my romance novels, but never had I dreamed of what it would feel like living it in real life.
Hearing Miles thank the delivery person, I grabbed our drinks and headed to the kitchen, trying to shake off what had just happened. He looked at me with an awkward smile as he joined me at the kitchen island, opened the bags, and set out several containers.
“I hope you like seafood. There’s an amazing local restaurant nearby that makes…Shoot, I should’ve asked if you had any allergies,” he said, suddenly concerned.
Waving my hand, I assured him I didn’t. “I love seafood. All of it. Fish, calamari. It smells amazing.” Visibly relieved, he opened the containers and spread them out family style, then got a few spoons from a drawer in the island. When he turned to get two plates from the cabinet, I took a moment to regroup.
What exactly was I about to say when the doorbell rang? Admitting my attraction?
Stupid, stupid.
Yeah, I was probably about to make things worse for myself because Igot caught up in the moment. This handsome, successful man did seem just as nervous around me as I was with him. I had dismissed it as my own projection the last time I was here, but there was no denying the way he looked at me when he opened the door. The way he spoke and responded during our more intimate conversation was enough, despite my lack of experience, to let me know he felt whatever was happening between us, too.
“Everything okay?” he asked, sitting down next to me. Shoot. I hadn’t seen him move closer.
Waving again, I said quickly, “Yes. Absolutely. Didn’t know how hungry I was til I smelled the food. Looks so good.”
“Well, help yourself. There’s lemon garlic rockfish, grilled shrimp with pineapple rum sauce, and fried calamari.”
Miles waited for me to take a little of each dish plus some perfectly grilled vegetables before serving himself.
“You speak perfect English. I mean, your accent is still there, but you’re fluent. How did that happen?”
I grinned, picking up my fork and smoothing my napkin over my lap. “Would you believe American TV shows likeFriends?”
He laughed so loud, he had to cover his mouth. “You’re kidding me?” His expressive eyes were playful and wide.
“Well, learning basic English is required in school, but I wanted to become fluent, so I watched shows likeFriends. It was in reruns and actually helped me understand conversational English. Once I started watching it, I was hooked,” I replied with a shrug.
“It’s pretty addictive. Luke and I would never admit to it back then, but we watched it all too.” We both snickered at that, and I pictured a younger Miles watching the same show I had come to love.
My first bite of the calamari was incredible as my head bobbed in delight. Even though I was always trying to lose weight, I took good food very seriously and loved discovering new cuisines. It made me so happy that I involuntarily did a little dance every time I ate something delicious. He smiled widely, making his dimple pop, as he watched me. I stopped, hoping I hadn’t embarrassed myself.
