Fourteen
Could her mom be any more obvious?Annie glaring at her had zero effect.Clara was convinced Miles was interested in her, and she’d contrived this situation to prove it.
It was nonsense.Annie knew that.Miles had made it clear to her in a polite, but pointed, way when he told her he had no interest in dating.His focus was clearly on his daughter, as it should be.
“Then why is he making excuses to fix things for us?”Clara had argued.
“Probably because you demanded it,” Annie told her.“And he feels bad we live in a shoe.”
This was the truth, and Annie knew it.Miles was a charismatic, hunky, brave firefighter who had half of Skagit and the entirety of San Juan county chasing after him.He wanted no part of being set up with anyone, especially not a sad sack mom like her.
Still.It was impossible not to stare at him, especially in the warm glow of the kitchen lights, his soulful brown eyes glancing up at her every now and again.
If only the women who pined after his dating ad could see him in person.He was even more mesmerizing in real life.They wouldn’t be able to bear it – Annie hardly could.That ridiculous apron accentuated how large he was, barely covering his chest, his biceps bulging under his maroon sweater.
Miles pulled out the bottle of wine she’d brought and lifted it to eye level.“Eh?”
She really shouldn’t.It had been ages since she’d had a sip of anything and she had no tolerance for alcohol.She’d already had a glass of sangria, and that had gone right to her head.
Then again, she’d eaten her weight in potatoes.That had to count for something.“Sure, why not?I’ve apparently got a babysitter tonight.”
He clapped his hands.“That’s the Thanksgiving spirit!”
She flashed a smile at him and took a seat at the island.He pulled out a tall wine glass and set it in front of her with a clink on the granite.The glass was quickly filled with ruby red liquid.
What was one glass of wine?The sooner she went home, the sooner she’d have to hear her mom go on about the elaborate, thoughtful meal he’d made for them.
Not only had he cooked enough food to feed an army, he’d made special foods just for the twins.And that little charcuterie board!It was the sweetest thing she’d ever seen.
Enough to make a woman swoon.
“What’s this about you moving to Seattle?”he asked, sliding the wine glass toward her.
Annie picked it up, the weight of it substantial in her hand.“Just the same pressure from Roy.He’s convinced all our problems would be solved if I would agree to move to the city.”
“Ourproblems,” Miles repeated.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.She took a sip of wine, her mouth flooded with plum and oak.
This was an old favorite of hers.Inexpensive, but rich.Annie couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a glass.
Miles cleared his throat.“I’m sorry if it seems like I’m overly harsh on him.I’ve seen his tricks before.”
“Roy’s tricks in particular?”she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, not him, exactly,” he said.“But the playbook.My dad did the same thing.Came up with some excuses and and left one day.”
Annie’s heart sank.No wonder he was being so nice to her.He felt bad for her because she reminded him ofhis mom.
Humbling for Annie, to be sure.Worse for him.
She set her wine glass down.“I’m so sorry, Miles.”
He waved a hand, scrunching up the left side of his handsome face.“It only made me stronger.My mom raised me on her own.We didn’t need him.”
“I hope my kids feel the same way,” she said quietly.“Because it doesn’t seem like he’s in any rush to get to know them.”
His eyes latched onto hers.“It’s his mistake.And yes, they will feel the same way.”
