Miles stared at her, his mind unable to catch up to everything that was happening.
She meant it all, didn’t she?She’d meant the kiss.She didn’t think he was a nuisance.She’d even said something about throwing herself at him.
And he meant it, too.“I can’t bear the thought of losing you.I really can’t.”
“Then don’t,” she said simply.
His chest went from a sun-kissed heat to a burning fire.There was no resisting her any longer.He pulled her in, pressing his lips to hers, his hands grasping at her, desperate to claim the curves he’d so longed to touch.
News of their union spread quickly.It was impossible to prevent, as Bella came home and spotted them walking down the street, holding hands.
Bella ran toward them, screaming, “Yes!I knew it!Iknewit!”
Later that evening, over dinner at Annie’s, Clara had a similarly contented reaction.
“I could see there was something between the two of you, but I figured it best to keep it to myself as to not scare you off.”
“For once, Mom, you didn’t say anything to Miles that embarrassed me!”Annie said.
She laughed.“That’s right.Margie once tried to set Miles up and he’d scared her so badly she never forgot it.”
Miles sat back, a laugh bursting out of him.“What?I don’t remember that.”
“Oh yes,” Clara said.“You scared off a notorious matchmaker.Sheila, too, was certain you were off-limits.But Patty and I knew there was a chance.”
He cleared his throat and looked down at his plate.“I didn’t realize I was the talk of the town.”
“Of course you were,” Annie said.“With those pictures on the ferry?How could you not be?”
“You’re welcome, Dad.”Bella grinned.“He thinks he knows everything, but clearly, he doesn’t.”
“Thank goodness I have a teenage daughter who actually does know everything,” he said dryly.
She stuck out her tongue at him and the table erupted in giddy laughter.
The next weekend, Miles took Annie on their first proper date.
Miles, who had been riding a high for the entirety of the week, needed to knock it out of the park.
This was the woman he’d been pining after for months.A woman of incredible beauty, strength, and wisdom.Their first date couldn’t be dinner and a movie.It had to at least attempt to live up to her.
He asked Bella to babysit the kids.She was thrilled, already referring to them as her baby brother and sister.She and Clara decided to hang out after the kids were asleep and watch a movie; Bella had yet to inform her that she was her new grandma, but Miles was sure it was coming.
For the evening, he booked a sunset cruise with a private chef.He dressed in a suit and picked Annie up at the door, presenting her with a bouquet of three dozen roses.
“I can’t imagine what you have planned,” she said as they walked to the car.She was delighted when they got to the marina and spotted the boat.
“Is this the same one from the auction?”
“It is,” he said with a nod, offering his arm for the walk down the dock.
“Well, Mr.Coleman,” she said, “you’ve truly outdone yourself.And outspent yourself!What were you thinking?”
“I’m thinking I’ve gotten a date with the most beautiful woman on earth and I am not going to mess it up.”
She looked down, smiling, before turning to him.“You could never mess it up.”
Except then, as they settled into their seats, the captain appeared to tell them that the engine wouldn’t start and they were stuck for the evening.
