“Are you going to tell Willa we’re married?”
I’d rather not, but I think it’s only fair. I nod twice.
“Good girl. She’s your sister. And I know you’re not super close, but she absolutely adores you. You should hear how she talks about you when you’re not there.” Miles grins. “When you first started coming to town, she practically threatened all of our lives, telling us we better be nice to you, or else.”
I smile weakly at that, because it’s so Willa-coded and her way of trying to take care of me. “You’re right. I have to tell her. I’ve been the coward, and she’s only wanted us to be close. I moved here to be near her, and I’ve been too scared to get super close again. Plus, she just seems so happy here, with a built-in family already.”
Miles steps in front of me and pulls me into a hug. “I hope you realize she’s able to do that because of you.”
I lock my hands together behind his back and lean into his warm hug. “What do you mean?”
“Whether either of you realize it or not, you shielding her from your parents and doing your best to provide a stable high school and college experience has given her the confidence to open up to the people around her. You’ve given her the love she needed to form those emotional connections. To build friendships and have good, healthy relationships.” I feel him press a kiss to the top of my head, and I sigh.
He continues, “But you didn’t have that. You’ve had to be the strong one. To pretend like everything was fine while it was all falling apart. And I think you’re scared that if you open yourself up to people, that you’re going to be hurt.”
The lump in my throat is almost impossible to swallow.
“You’re so kind to everyone you meet, but you keep them at arm’s length.”
“Actually, I think we’re chest to chest at this point,” I mumble against his shirt.
He chuckles. “Smart aleck.”
“What time are you going to work?” I ask, dreading that I’m going to have to tell Willa the truth.
“I need to leave in fifteen minutes.” He laces his hands in my hair and gently rubs my head.
I nearly start groaning; it feels so good. I snap my mouth closed so I don’t accidentally drool on his shirt. I’m going to miss this. A lot.
I love Miles’s hugs. I love the way he encourages me to be a better person without tearing me down. I love the way he can make me melt into him, because I feel so safe with him.
I love Miles.
The thought has me gasp and step out of his hold.
“I’m sorry, did I hurt you?” He looks at me in confusion, and I shake my head rapidly.
“I—” I can’t tell him what I was just thinking. It would ruin everything. “I realized you have to leave in a couple of minutes, and I’m making you late.”
The puzzled look on his face doesn’t go away, but he nods. “Do you want me to wait for you at the office?”
I shake my head. “I’m going to get dressed and do my makeup. I’ll text you when I get there.”
And then I flee the room, leaving my phone on his bed in my haste.
I took my own sweet time getting ready to come to the office. It’s a good thing I didn’t ask Miles to wait on me, because it’s closer to lunch time now that I’m actually here.
I walk into the building and take the elevator to the office floor.
When I step out of the elevator, Thea is standing by the front desk.
She smiles brightly at me. “Lucy! How are you?” She immediately walks over to the coffee station and pours a cup, adding a generous helping of creamer to it, then passes it to me. “Don’t tell anyone. You’re the only person I’ll make coffee for.”
“You’re my favorite,” I say with a sigh. I take a long sip. “You don’t know how much I needed this.”
“Are you okay?” Thea asks in a concerned voice.
“No, I’m not. I think I need to talk to Miles first.”
