A stray tear slips from my lashes, and I quickly wipe it away. I've cried in front of this man more times than I can count, and somehow, he’s never once made me feel ashamed for it. I never knew his parents, but knowing Miles—the kind of heart that he has and the way he loves so deepy—it hurts knowing the people who raised him aren’t here to see the man he became.
Just as we finish our plates, Esmeralda walks in with her serving cart. Sitting on top are two enormous slices of chocolatecake covered in what looks like chocolate ganache, each topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream that instantly makes my mouth water. This has to be the biggest slice of cake I’ve ever had the privilege of eating, and I’m a sucker for anything chocolate.
Esmeralda places the plate in front of me, and I immediately beam up at her. “Thank you so much. The pasta was delicious, and this cake looks incredible.”
She grins from ear to ear and I can instantly tell cooking is her passion. “You're so welcome,Mijita. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.”
Her Hispanic accent is thick and beautiful. I could listen to her talk all day.
She leaves us to eat our dessert and by the time we finish it, I don't think I'll be able to walk up the stairs. I honestly can’t remember a time I've ever been so full in my life.
“You alright?” Miles asks with a cheeky grin, almost looking satisfied to see me this way.
I try to sit up in my chair and groan, not wanting to do anything but lie in bed.
“I feel like I’m going to combust if I don’t lay down soon.”
Miles laughs and gets up, making his way over to my side of the table, helping me get to my feet.
How embarrassing.
“Well, let's get you to bed then, Princess.”
Once we make it back to our bedroom, I snuggle up to Miles on the comfortable king-size bed. The mattress is so comfortable, I would be fully convinced if he told me it was made of literal clouds. At this rate, I’m convinced I’m going to knock out in seconds.
My phone is plugged in to the charger on the nightstand and Miles glances over at it when it buzzes from an incoming message. Grabbing it, he reads the message and goes completely stiff.
“What's wrong? Who is it?” I ask, lifting to my elbows.
He looks over at me with concern and my entire body goes rigid. Internally, I’m a spiraling mess.
It’s him, I know it is. He wouldn’t be looking at me like that unless something was wrong.
My heart starts pounding as I sit up straighter, leaning over him and snatching the phone from his hands.
Unknown: Ready or not, here I come.
No, not again.
He can’t find us out here. The house is perfectly hidden, there’s no way.
My phone falls out of my hands as I bring them to my face, trying my best to hold in the emotions this asshole brings out of me.
“I don’t want to do this anymore!” I yell, tired and fed up with this stupid game he’s playing. I just want it to end.
My phone buzzes again and we both stare at it. It sits face down on the mattress, and every alarm in my brain is telling me not to pick it up. I don’t evenwantto look at the message.
Miles reaches down to grab the phone and I stop him.
“No! Miles, please,” I beg. “I can’t do this anymore. I just want it to stop. Please, just make it stop!”
I fist my hair, rocking back and forth on the bed. I’m going to end up going crazy until I know this is actually over.
Will it ever fucking end?
Miles pulls me onto his lap, holding me as my body shakes. I’m so scared to look at my phone. I don’t want to know what he has to say.
I bury my face in Miles’ chest, letting the tears flow. I’m shaking and the more I do, the tighter he holds me.
