Page 79 of Tempting Me

Miles makes himself a cup of coffee and says, “Because we were supposed to fake date and then break up, it was an easy plan. Fooling around and oral sex was not part of the plan.”

“Whoa, spare me the details.”

“I just think you need to know details to see the full depth of this fuckup.”

“You didn’t fuck up, but,” I say and then stop, the biggest smile forming on my face. “I do love the dramatics right now. Is this how you feel when I talk to you?”

It’s been a while since Miles came to me with this much information, and I like it.

“Luca, I need you to be serious.”

“I am. I don’t think you fucked up, Miles. You’ve had a crush on her since the first day you saw her. I’d say this whole thing is overdue. You just had to fake date to get there.”

He groans. “I don’t think you get it.”

“No, I don’t think you do. An opportunity was given to you, and you need to open your eyes to figure out what it isand take it before it’s gone. Now you have two choices: see where this thing goes with Quinn or call the entire thing off. I think we both know which path you’re going to take.”

He nods, soaking in my words.

For the first time in I don’t know how long, I decide to take my own advice.

Somehow Shay and I were meant to work on The Marina together. Whether it was to mend a friendship or to be whatever we are becoming.

Either way, I know I need to be patient and find out.

For Shay, the risk is worth it.

My stomach isa bundle of nerves as I make my way into The Marina.

My instinct tells me to just walk in and kiss her because, hell, I’ve been thinking about her all day. In fact, she’s done nothing but consume my every waking thought for the past few days.

I don't mind it one bit.

I’m eager to see her smiling face right now, and I’m going to make sure she knows it.

With the dining room and main hallway basically finished, I plan to get started on the area she wants done in the store. Hopefully, the cabins are next week, but the more I think about it, I should suggest extending the deck to a full wraparound to the parking lot main door.

I pause outside the back door and take a breath.

But as soon as I step in, one thing is clear.

Shay isn’t here.

If it weren’t for the fact that I’m early, I’d say she was avoiding me after last night.

But fuck, last night was phenomenal.

I had no idea I could feel like that with someone.

Of course it’s Shay.

I have no idea if this means we’re starting something or if it’ll just be for fun or if she’s going to tell me again that she thinks it was a mistake and she never wants it to happen again.

I groan.

I don’t want her to tell me that last part.

Being near Shay is different from the way we started and it isn’t just because of the way she argued with me on everything. It was how she just made my life more exciting.