“Milo!” Eliana jerked him to a stop, laughter in her voice. “Take a breath. I’ve already told him.”
Milo blinked. “You did?”
“Did he not come out of the building before me? What did you think he was doing there?”
“I—” Milo frowned. “I didn’t think . . .” He glanced down at her, hope filling his chest. “You really told him?”
“We just signed the divorce papers.” Eliana bit her lip against the smile that rose, drawing his gaze down. He shook his head, forcing his mind back to the issue at handas he looked around at their surroundings and realized they now stood outside the diner where she’d wanted totalk. About quitting.
“That’s amazing, Bugs. I’m so happy for you.” He sighed. “And I think I know why you asked to meet with me. I want you to know there are no hard feelings. I’ll still help you however you need. And I’ve got some feelers out–”
“Milo,whatare you talking about now?”
“Getting you a new job, of course,” Milo answered. “I wouldn’t want to be stuck with me either after I went and made a fool of myself yesterday, telling you about howobsessedI am,” he sighed, cringing at his own choice of words, even if they were true. “But I’ll make sure your next employer is even better. I want you to be comfortable with whoever it is. And I think there’s one out in East Brook–”
“Milo,” Eliana interrupted, reaching up to grip the lapels of his jacket and pull him down. He bent immediately at her bidding, but then froze at the touch of her lips to his own. They were soft and sweet and tasted like beeswax lip balm.
“You talk a lot when you’re nervous,” Eliana whispered when she pulled back, smoothing his jacket.
Milo hummed in answer, opting to keep his mouth shut for once. He wasn’t someone known for being particularly verbose. It seemed a trait only Eliana knew how to draw out. The need to make sure she understood. That there was no misunderstanding. Nothing that could leave her thinking he wanted anything other than the best for her—even at his own expense.
“I don’t want a new job,” she continued, interrupting his momentary reverie. “I’d rather keep mine if it’s still available.”
Milo nodded quickly. It would always be available.
Eliana’s answering grin was brilliant, full of joy and hope and promise.
“I think I’ve finally figured out my ending, Milo,” she said, her tone one of wonder as she held his gaze.
“Nah, Bugs.” Milo shook his head, feeling dazed. “You’re just getting started.”
EPILOGUE 1 - LIMBO
Finally, the confrontation! It’s about damn time!
What happened with Brielle?
So proud of Emma for finally taking her stand.
Author, it’s not too late to kill off Josh.
Eliana’s cheeks ached with the force of her smile as she trimmed the stems off the bundle of tulips in her sink. She carefully transferred them into a vase and set it right in the middle of her dining room table, stepping back to admire the view.
The room had boxes piled upon boxes stacked in every corner, giant vacuum-sealed bags of clothing and sheets and towels on every surface, but the table was clear. It was long and dark, with rounded corners and matching dining chairs. She’d found it at a local trade day market and had managedto haggle the deal down to well within her budget. It was a steal, and it washers, and now she had the perfect decoration to adorn it.
“Thank you,” Eliana said. She turned her gaze on Milo and his crooked grin. He must’ve been hiding them in his car all day until the table was ready. “These are incredible.”
He glanced around. “What you’ve done with this place is what’s incredible. You’ve only had the keys for like three days.”
Eliana shrugged. She’d been delayed by the holiday weekend and hadn’t been able to start her lease application until the Monday following Thanksgiving. Thankfully, however, the approval came through quickly, and she’d had the keys in hand by the end of the week.
“Slackers,” Bill grunted, appearing at the entrance with a huge silver tote in hand. He staggered forward and dropped it unceremoniously on the opposite end of the table, causing Eliana’s flowers to wobble dangerously. “Y’all got this old man lugging in eight tons of boxes while you’re in here playing with flowers.”
“Dad,” Eliana began, sharing an amused glance with Milo. “We already brought in the heavy boxes. Well, Milo did, but that’s beside the point. That one’s got the throw pillows.”
Bill glared.
“It’s a very large tote, though,” Eliana allowed, biting her lip.
