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“We’ll have to find some time and go out to dinner or a movie with her. Give her a taste of what Boston is really like.” Millie had come from the South, planning to work for the year and then figure out the direction she wants to go in life after. But at this rate, she’d go home thinking Boston equals work.

Evie grabs ingredients to make pancakes and I start the coffee maker with a new pot, since the other one is almost dry.

My phone buzzes in the pocket of my hoodie. I pull it out and stare at the message, allowing myself a grin. Okay, I’m a sucker for anything that gives me butterflies and Miles seems to be the butterfly keeper.

Miles: How are you this morning?

Joy fills me, followed by an ache that this could never be my real life. I’d been fine, thinking that I’m with Miles in a support capacity only. But my heart is inching toward the cliff of true love, something it’s never experienced before. Clay never made me feel like this.

Just my luck, the only guy who wants me at his side is the one who asks for a fake relationship. Heartbreak is in my future. I don’t read crystal balls, but from the rollercoaster of emotions shooting through me this morning, it’s inevitable.

CHAPTER19

Miles

I’ve refreshed my screen at least three times since I sent the text message. I know, ridiculous that I’m wondering what Dani is up to this early on a Sunday morning, but the message says read with the time stamp next to it.

The three little dots pop up and then disappear. Start, stop. This happens at least three more times before a message comes through.

Dani: Good.

That’s it? I need to calm down. After all that happened last night, there’s a connection between us. Maybe she doesn’t feel it, but the invisible thread gets shorter every time I’m with her.

Dani: Sorry. Waiting on coffee.

I smile, relaxing into my chair. Since when did I become so caught up in the hidden meanings behind a text? I type out a few words, wanting to keep the conversation going while she wakes up.

Me: Jack is still alive. I think the doctor did a great job considering who he was working with.

Nothing for several seconds and I make myself get up and walk around. I probably need some food too. It’s the first morning I haven’t worked out in a while and my whole routine is thrown off.

Dani: That’s what he gets when his date is a wannabe ninja.

I spray the sip of coffee in my mouth all over the counter. That’s a good way to describe Diane’s attire from the night before.

Me: What are your plans for today?

Am I fishing? I might be fishing a bit. I don’t have a meeting or a lunch to attend today, and doing something with Dani usually makes even the most boring thing, like shopping, more exciting.

Dani: Just a minute. Phone call with my mom.

I put the phone face down and head over to my room, needing a shower since I still smell like hospital. It had been almost one in the morning when I’d dropped off Dani at her house, meaning it was closer to one-thirty when I made it home, dead tired.

Stepping out of the shower, I’m not sure what to wear. I’ve had to wear business attire or suits for almost the last year straight. Some of the casual clothes Sonia recommended in my winter haul still have the tags on them. But it’s too hot for any of those.

Instead, I walk out and check my phone. Two missed calls from my mom and another from Dani.

It’s too early to deal with my mother. She’ll have something to say about the reports of my engagement. Thanks a lot, Tanya.

So instead, I dial Dani’s number and walk back into my room, sitting on the edge of my bed with a towel still around my waist.

“You’re aliiiive!” Dani says when she answers.

I laugh and say, “Um, yes, yes I am.”

“Sorry, it’s from that one Frankenstein movie and it randomly popped into my head. How goes it?”

“Slow, but it’s the weekend, right?”