Page 14 of Next in Line
My smile grows. “Marv’s.”
Miles face contorts. “The bait shop?”
“Yep.”
“Did she have all her teeth?”
“Fuck you, man. She was hot. Like smoking hot.”
Miles chuckles disbelievingly. “Okay, so what happened after this epic kiss?”
“Well…not much, but I’m hoping it’s just the start.”
“Huh, interesting,” Miles replies, his brow furrowed deep in thought.
“Why interesting?”
“Well, you never take anyone seriously.”
“Who said I’m taking this one seriously?” I scoff, feeling my shoulders rise defensively.
“The way you’re telling this story, it’s clear this chick is different than your typical one-night stands. I’m not judging either. I think that’s awesome. You turn thirty-one on Saturday, so you’re no young buck anymore.”
“It doesn’t matter how old I am, asshat. You know I’m not doing serious. I have enough women who depend on me already. I don’t need another one…even if she is an epic kisser,” I state firmly because it’s the truth. If I’m not doing stuff for my mom around the house, I’m helping my recently divorced sister with her kids or running interference between all of them because a household full of women is never short on drama. “You’re just pushing a relationship on me because you’re prepping to pop the question to your ball and chain.”
Miles’s face falls, and he leans forward to shush me. “Shut the fuck up, man. She’s right around the corner,” he says, pointing at the comfort center.
“She can’t hear me from in there…but hey, did you find a good hiding place for the ring? I can still hold it if you want,” I state, lowering my voice to calm him down. I may not want a relationship myself, but it doesn’t mean I don’t fully support his. Kate’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Miles.
Miles grins. “I put it in my toolbox. She never goes in there.”
“Perfect. But you’re still holding off on popping the question?”
“Yeah, I don’t want to rush this. Things are perfect with us right now. Living together is great. I just couldn’t see that ring and not buy it, ya know?”
“I get it, man. Your chick is into tires, and a circular diamond is a rare find.”
“Just like her,” Miles says, getting a dreamy look in his eyes that makes me want to nut punch him. Shaking away his thoughts, he asks, “So when are you going to see this chick again?”
“Maybe this weekend…at least, I hope.”
“Cool. Well, keep me posted if she turns into more than another one-nighter, all right?”
“She won’t.”
“She could. But even if she doesn’t, I still want the dirty details…I’m not married yet.” Suddenly, Miles’s phone lights up. “Oh hey, I gotta take this call. I’ll check you later.”
He walks away, and I shake my head. Miles is so wrapped up in his own world these days that it’ll be weeks before he even asks about my spark plug again. And I’m cool with that. Just because I don’t believe in long term doesn’t mean I don’t understand why things between us have shifted a bit.
Catch And Release
Abig yellow rotary telephone trills from the bedside table, and with a pained groan, I throw my arm across the bed to pick it up. “Hello?” I answer, trying not to sound like I was asleep but failing miserably.
“Hello, Miss Hudson, this is Claire from the front desk.” Claire’s waspy voice is like a feather on my cheek, annoying and soothing at the same time.
“Hi, Claire…yes, I’m coming down for breakfast. Sorry, I overslept again.” I shove the quilt off my body, allowing the cool air from the weak radiator heating of the Briar Rose Bed and Breakfast where I’m staying help me wake up.
“Oh, it’s perfectly okay. I was calling to remind you about your room.”
