I snorted. When Fox had beencool about the fact that I was working for someone I’d slept with, I stupidlyassumed that meant he wouldn’t give me hell about it.
Clearly, I was wrong.
I’ll give him your number ifyou’re that impressed
That wasn’t going to shuthim up, but at least it made me feel a little better.
I looked up in time to seeMiles carefully hugging Maddi.
“You have my number if youneed anything. Anything at all. Don’t hesitate, okay?”
“I won’t,” Maddi promised,beaming at him. Not like a girl with a crush—though that wouldn’t exactly havebeen unexpected—but like a little sister with a supportive older brother. Sheglowed with simple, familial love.
But they definitely weren’t bloodrelatives. Miles wouldn’t have been hiding a sister away, especially if she wassick.
I’d been deliberately tryingnot to overhear their conversation, but something told me Miles hadn’t let onwhat had happened this morning. He was being strong for her.
That was impressive. Clearly,she meant enough to him that he was willing to put aside a legitimately awfulmorning for the sake of her happiness.
There was a good heartsomewhere underneath that silk shirt.
Some part of me wanted tosee it for myself.
“It was nice to meet you,”Maddi said, looking over at me.
“You too. And I like yourbracelet,” I said, nodding to the colorful woven band she was wearing aroundher impossibly thin wrist.
“My friends made it for me,”she explained. “When… when I first…”
Miles made a soft, comfortingsound, and squeezed her shoulder. “Gray understands, don’t worry.”
I could see that even thisfew minutes of social interaction had worn her out, and I assumed that was whyMiles was keeping it so short. There was nothing about him that looked like hewanted to go, but Maddi wouldn’t hold up to much more of this.
“We should go,” he said,patting her shoulder before letting go entirely. “But I’ll be back for yournext treatment, okay? It’s the last one.”
Maddi managed another smileat that, and evenmyheart lifted a little. Whatever they were doing forher, it was working. Good. No kid that age should have been trapped in a placelike this for any longer than necessary.
“And if you need anything…”
“Call you, I know,” Maddisaid. “Go do important business things, Miles. I’ll still be here next time.”
Miles smiled, and nodded,and then headed for the door.
He didn’t speak againuntil we were clear of the building, heading across the parking lot to his car.
“I’d adopt that kid if Ithought her parents would let me,” he said, and that didn’t exactly come as asurprise. I’d seen the way he looked at her. Shematteredto him. “But they won’t.They like the idea ofhavinga daughter, they just don’t like that she’sbeing treated for cancer instead of preparing for her debut into society.”
I hadn’t met Maddi’sparents, but I already hated them.
My mom had made me feelloved every chance she got. Supported me every step of the way, even when shedidn’treally have time, even when she knew I was making a bad decision. As far as Iwas concerned, she’d set the benchmark for all other parents.
Apparently, the McAllistersweren’teventryingto meet it.
None of which were things Icould tell my employer out of nowhere.
“She deserves better,” Iresponded after a moment, figuring that was safe. Miles clearly thought so. Iwasn’t sure he was ready to raise a teenager, but his heart was absolutely inthe right place.
I’d learned a lot about himtoday, and to be honest? I liked everything I saw. Behind that pretty face andwicked tongue was a good soul.
