Should I take it?
“I don’t know,” I said. “Let me think about it.”
Miles grabbed my face and planted a big kiss on my lips. “You’re adorable when you’re serious. It makes me want to spank you.”
“Shhhhhhhh!” I shoved his hands down. “Someone might hear you.”
“Good.” He grabbed me again, pulling my head to his chest and yanking on my hair. “Everyone should know the real you, you dirty slut.”
“Oh my God.” I pushed him away, but I had to laugh. “You are a horrible person, and I am too tired to deal with horrible people right now. That’s the whole reason I’m back here today.”
“Fine. I will go out and charm your customers for you.” He adjusted the crotch of his pants. “You’re welcome.”
• • •
Two hours later, Miles drove me back to my house, and I had a hard time staying awake on the ten-minute ride.
“Want to come in and nap with me?” I asked. “Then when we wake up, I can give you a tour.” I did want to show him the house, but honestly I just didn’t want to part with him yet. The moment he left my side I’d have to deal with the fallout of my relationship, including the fact that Dan had cheated on me, and I didn’t think I was ready to face that yet. Miles was the perfect distraction, and I was giving myself permission to be distracted for the time being. Something I’d never done before.
“Hell, yes.” He turned off the car, and pulled the key from the ignition. “You were right. Working that place is exhausting.”
I smiled. “Only on no sleep. Otherwise it can be fun. Come on in.”
Bleary-eyed, we stumbled into my house, managed to get up the stairs, and tumbled across my bed sideways, me on my stomach and Miles on his back, our legs hanging off the side. We didn’t even take off our shoes, didn’t say another word, didn’t move for hours, waking only when my phone rang. I heard it, but it sounded far away, like it was in a dream. Eventually I realized what it was and reached into my purse, which rested near my head. The screen said Skylar.
“Hello?” I croaked.
“Hey, where are you?”
“I’m home.” I wiped drool from my mouth and frowned at the wet spot on my comforter. “Why?”
“Dinner at Mom and Dad’s, remember?”
“Oh crap. No, I didn’t.”
“Well, come over. We’re waiting for you.”
I thought about making an excuse and turning her down. What could I say? My mind was a dead zone, and all I could do was whine. “But I’m tiiiired.”
“Come on, Mom’s grilling Italian sausage.” She laughed. “And you need some sausage.”
“Hahaha.”
Miles opened his eyes, rubbed his face with one hand, and looked over at me. “Did someone say sausage?”
Ten minutes later, we were on our way to my parents’ house.
“Do not say anything to them about anything,” I warned. “Not Dan, not us, not anything.”
“Why? Are you ashamed of me?” Miles feigned offense, putting a hand on his chest. “I’m hurt by this, Natalie. You want to hide our love.”
I rolled my eyes. “Look, I’m sure this is all fun for you, but breaking up with Dan is a big deal for me. I’m not ready to announce it yet.”
He went quiet for a moment. “Is it because you’re not ready to face it yet?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” I glanced over at him. “Is that OK?”
“It’s fine.” He put his hand on my thigh, which was bare since I’d changed from my work shorts into a short white skirt I’d paired with a soft gray t-shirt. “I think the guy was an ass, but you loved him for a lot of years. I’m sure that doesn’t just turn off overnight because you’re mad. No one would ever stay married if that were the case, not that many people stay married, anyway.”