Page 75 of Raised On It

Rachel steps aside, and Reece steps in to fill her place.

“Thanks for the ride, man. When I get back in six months, I hope that sweet girl is by your side.”

“Thanks, Doc. Now get out of here and go save the world.”

The good doctor and his shrinking violet smile, wave, and head off on their adventure.

CHAPTER 22

Mason

When I woke up this morning, I was disappointed not to find his beautiful blond head on the pillow next to me, but after reading the note he left for me in the kitchen, I’m relieved to have had the morning to myself.

Miles pulls no punches when it comes to finding his way into my heart, and his words have really hit home. I must have read his note twenty times, committing his writing and his words to memory.

City Mouse,

Please don’t stumble over something that’s already behind you. Remember, I am not your past, but I would love to be yourfuture or at the very least your present. I know I already said it last night, but just remember, I’m not asking you to move your life, I’m simply asking you to think about the possibility of us.

Have a good day,

M

CHAPTER 23

P.S. Let’s talk over dinner. Pick you up at 6:00.

Now, here I am, getting ready for my dinner date after a day spent doing what I do when I have a lot on my mind.

I nested.

I did laundry. I swept the floors. I cleaned the bathroom. Organized.

I may not be pregnant, but this is what I do when my brain won’t stop and it’s not because of a story I need to get down on the page. It’s what I do to find a way to control a situation out of my control. Even though this situation appears to be completely in my control, I have no control over my feelings for Miles.

And. That. Scares. Me.

Hence, the nesting.

As organized as everything is, I shouldn’t be standing here staring into the closet like I have no clue what’s inside, but here I am. I didn’t pack for dinner dates or to impress a man. I packedfor hot summer days and long, late nights at my computer. Of course dinner could be at The Jury Room, or it could be at Tom’s for milkshakes.

Either way, tonight feels important.

Have I made any decisions? I’m not sure I have.

He did ask me to consider the possibility of us and not whether or not I was moving here or marrying him. Just considering the possibility of what could be. When I think of it that way, my nerves settle enough for me to pull a dress off its hanger and get ready.

It’s hot as Hades outside, but I leave my hair down, taking my time to add big curls that I tamed into long, loose waves. My peach floral dress hits me mid-thigh—like I know he likes—and with my three-inch wedges on, my legs look ten feet long.

Too much for a weekday dinner?

Not enough for a night with Miles?

My time to deliberate is over with the sound of a knock on the front door.

Suddenly, the air-conditioned house is crazy hot, and I’d give anything to have my hair up off my neck. My heart beats like the wings of a hummingbird, and the nerves that are stirring up in my stomach are irrational. Just knowing he’s here has me hot and bothered, shy and nervous.

Rushing to the door, I tell myself,it’s only Miles. The man you’ve felt so comfortable around these past weeks. He’s your friend. A good man. He cares about you.

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