He cut her off.“What makes you think you’re not what I’m looking for?”
She swallowed.“I know you’re dating that doctor, and I’m sorry if you two are exclusive and I just forced you to have to explain something to her.”She looked down, as if this was just dawning on her for the first time.“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry.I really didn’t think that far.I wasn’t thinking at all.”
A grin spread across his face.“What makes you think I’m seeing Dr.Birch?”
Her brows knit together.“I saw you together at the fundraiser.She was your date.”
He shook his head, taking a step closer to her.“Not my date.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes flicking up to him, then back down.“Well, I guess I got that wrong.”
Though her boldness was failing under his questioning, it was the only spark he needed.Miles couldn’t hold back any longer.
“I am not interested in her,” he said slowly, stepping closer to her.“Because the only person I can think about, and the only person filling my head, is you.”
Annie’s lips parted.“What?”
What did she think would happen when she kissed him like that?
“Annie!”He laughed.“Is that so hard to believe?”
Her gray eyes glowed positively blue under the bright sky.“Sort of.Yes.”
He took her hand into his.“I must be a much better actor than I realized, because I was sure you knew how I felt.I thought I was being a complete nuisance.”
“A nuisance!”she repeated.“Miles, I…” she stammered, “I was desperately trying not to be one of those women who threw themselves at you, but I found that impossible not to do.”
He grinned, pulling her in closer, placing her arm behind him.“Is that right?”
“Yes, much to my embarrassment,” she went on, a smile dancing on her lips.“I find you as irresistible as the rest of the state.”
“So you started the fire, then?To see if I’d save you?”he asked.
Her eyes narrowed.“We don’t joke about fires, Miles.”
He nodded solemnly.“We don’t joke about fires.”
Except he had to joke, or else the enormity of it would force him to his knees.
A lump formed in his throat.“I’m sorry if it seems like I’ve been avoiding you.”
“I thought you were sick of me,” Annie said.
“No, Annie.No.”He shook his head before sucking in a deep breath.“I’m just a coward.”
“No, you are not.”
“I am.I thought I’d lost you that day.And the thought of losing you was so terrifying that, I don’t know, I shut down.”
She gazed up at him, her expression placid.“I’m sorry, Miles.”
“I can’t bear the thought of losing you, Annie.After Madeline, I didn’t think I’d ever put myself together again.I managed to do it once, by some miracle, but I was determined to never fall in love again.”He paused.“Then I met you, and I think I’ve been in love with you from the first day I saw you.”
“Oh?”She laughed, a little breathlessly.“You don’t remember the grocery store, do you?”
He cocked his head to the side.“The grocery store?”
She waved a hand.“Never mind.I’ll tell you when you’re older.”
