The day had been far too magical – from the surprise pictures and gifts, to the caroling, to getting to watch an old favorite through Bella’s eyes.
It had all been because of him.Well, mostly because of him.Always there for her to fall back on.
Their sleigh pulled away with a start, and something like the Christmas spirit overcame her.She squeezed his hand.
“Thank you, Miles.For everything.You’ve rescued my Christmas.I thought I’d be sitting and crying into my hot chocolate.”
“My pleasure,” he said.
“I’d always pick a spot next to you, and not just because you’re warmer than everyone else.”She stretched and planted a kiss on his cheek.
His eyes flashed wide, red filling in his cheeks.
He looked down at her, his face split by a wide smile.“Best gift I’ve gotten all day,” he said.
Annie laughed, her chest glowing with boldness.She laid her head on his shoulder and they passed the rest of the ride side by side, not saying a word.
Twenty-two
It was hard not to read into it – the closeness on the sleigh ride, the relaxed weight of Annie leaning into him.
The kiss.
Yeah, it was just a kiss on the cheek.It didn’t mean anything.Miles knew that.It was how she might kiss an elderly relative, or Santa Claus.
Most likely Santa Claus.Wasn’t that how he’d acted?He’d even worn a hat.She thought she’d have a terrible Christmas, and because of his butting in, she’d had a decent Christmas.Rescued, as she put it.
There was nothing romantic to the kiss, and he wasn’t going to let his mind wander down that road.Annie didn’t need him pining after her.
Hedidn’t need to pine after her, either.It was bad enough that he thought only of how to see her again and again.Imagining some scenario where a cheek kiss meant she was interested in him wouldn’t help anyone.
After the holiday, everything went back to normal.The twins returned from the mainland, with Roy failing to set up another exchange date, the court date looming in the distance.Bella kept babysitting, and Miles kept whipping up dinners for both families to enjoy together.
The only addition to their routine was a weekly movie night with Bella.They rotated picks, with Bella selecting Korean dramas, and Annie and Miles dusting off movies from their childhood.
Bella relented to watching the “oldies,” as she called them, and gave a rating via the traditional thumbs-up and thumbs-down system.So far, she approved of theBack to the Futuremovies, but gave Annie’s belovedCluelesstwo thumbs down for “rampant misogyny and embarrassing clichés.”
“Kids are tough these days,” Annie murmured after Bella left the room.
“You have no idea,” Miles said.“I still think it’s a cute movie, though.”
“Me too!”she whispered.“I told her it’s loosely based on Jane Austen’sEmma,but she wasn’t impressed.”
“That Paul Rudd, though,” Miles said, shaking his head.“What a hunk.”
Annie suppressed a smile.“Stop it.”
“I’m serious.He’s a beautiful man.Funny, too.A total package.”
Annie sighed.“Don’t let Bella hear you say that.I’m sure there’s a word for what you’re saying, and it wouldn’t be good.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.”
The weeks went on, perfect and comfortable, without any hints of romantic feelings from Annie.They enjoyed one another’s company, and the fact that she kept him at arm’s length, as afriend,made it easier – easier to pretend, at least.He could pretend he was happy with just friendship.He could pretend the urge to pull her into his arms didn’t flare every time he saw her.He could pretend his mind didn’t drift off when she spoke, imagining what it would be like to finally press his lips to hers…
Miles’ job was to pretend to be a sane person when he felt wildly insane.
All things considered, it was going pretty well.
