He frowns, at first appearing not to remember what I’m referring to, but then he nods his head again. “Just stating facts.”
Miles said something about me being the best woman Rick would ever meet. He didn’t also mean that from his own perspective, did he?
His hand strokes my back as we stand looking out toward the moonlit beach. “I don’t know what he did to lose you, but I know he didn’t deserve you.”
I let out a long breath. “I’m sorry for the ordeal tonight.”
“Why are you apologizing? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I was so stupid to ever be involved with him. I made such bad decisions, and now I’m paying for it.”
Miles appears lost in thought for a moment before he speaks again. “We all make mistakes. You shouldn’t blame yourself for that.”
“He confronted me tonight because I warned Adam’s sister about him earlier today. I didn’t go into details. I just warned her to be careful. I guess she told him what I said.”
“It was good of you to try, for her sake.”
“Yeah, and I get it. Alexis has no reason to trust me over him. From her point of view, I probably look like a jealous ex trying to cause trouble.”
He gives me a sympathetic look as his hands continue to soothe me. “Want to walk around for a while?”
“Would you mind if we go back to the room instead? These shoes are killing me.” The pale pink heels, which are from the pre-wedding shopping trip with my mom, are cute, but have been pinching my toes all evening.
“Sure, I’ll let Max know we’re coming.” After Miles types a message on the small screen of his smart watch, he glances down at my feet. “And let’s take care of this problem.”
For a split second, I think he’s going to suggest I take off my shoes and walk back barefoot, but it quickly becomes clear he has something else in mind. Scooping me up, making me feel like I’m weightless, he lifts me off the ground and into his strong arms.
“What are you doing?” I’m laughing at the surprise and pleasure of suddenly being in his embrace.
“I’m going to carry you so your feet won’t hurt.”
“It’s a long way.”
“Good thing you’re so light.”
I’m not light, and what he should say is that it’s a good thing he’s so strong. But I don’t protest. Instead, I lean into him and enjoy every moment of being pressed against his body, surrounded by the warmth and rich, spicy scent of him.
CHAPTER 43
MILES
“Did you two get married?” Max asks when Callie and I get to the room. When I give him a confused look, he says, “You’re carrying her across the threshold. That’s the tradition, isn’t it?”
“My feet hurt,” she explains as I set her on the edge of the bed.
“Is that why you’re back early?” Max asks. I should have tipped him off about what happened so he wouldn’t bring it up, but it’s too late now.
Callie lets out a huff. “I had a run-in with Rick.”
My brother shoots me a look like it’s my fault, and he’s right. I should have gone up to the bar with her.
I sit down on the bed next to her, the need to support her overriding everything else.
Max pulls a chair over and sits down in front of her. “Are you okay?”
Callie nods as she uses her feet to push off her shoes, letting them drop to the floor. “I’m alright. I’m just … so tired of seeing him. Tired of worrying about running into him.”
I rest a hand on her shoulder, letting her know we’re here for her. Max leans in and rubs her knee.
