Chapter 14
Fourteen
Could her mom be any more obvious? Annie glaring at her had zero effect. Clara was convinced Miles was interested in her, and she’d contrived this situation to prove it.
It was nonsense. Annie knew that. Miles had made it clear to her in a polite, but pointed, way when he told her he had no interest in dating. His focus was clearly on his daughter, as it should be.
“Then why is he making excuses to fix things for us?” Clara had argued.
“Probably because you demanded it,” Annie told her. “And he feels bad we live in a shoe.”
This was the truth, and Annie knew it. Miles was a charismatic, hunky, brave firefighter who had half of Skagit and the entirety of San Juan county chasing after him. He wanted no part of being set up with anyone, especially not a sad sack mom like her.
Still. It was impossible not to stare at him, especially in the warm glow of the kitchen lights, his soulful brown eyes glancing up at her every now and again.
If only the women who pined after his dating ad could see him in person. He was even more mesmerizing in real life. They wouldn’t be able to bear it – Annie hardly could. That ridiculous apron accentuated how large he was, barely covering his chest, his biceps bulging under his maroon sweater.
Miles pulled out the bottle of wine she’d brought and lifted it to eye level. “Eh?”
She really shouldn’t. It had been ages since she’d had a sip of anything and she had no tolerance for alcohol. She’d already had a glass of sangria, and that had gone right to her head.
Then again, she’d eaten her weight in potatoes. That had to count for something. “Sure, why not? I’ve apparently got a babysitter tonight.”
He clapped his hands. “That’s the Thanksgiving spirit!”
She flashed a smile at him and took a seat at the island. He pulled out a tall wine glass and set it in front of her with a clink on the granite. The glass was quickly filled with ruby red liquid.
What was one glass of wine? The sooner she went home, the sooner she’d have to hear her mom go on about the elaborate, thoughtful meal he’d made for them.
Not only had he cooked enough food to feed an army, he’d made special foods just for the twins. And that little charcuterie board! It was the sweetest thing she’d ever seen.
Enough to make a woman swoon.
“What’s this about you moving to Seattle?” he asked, sliding the wine glass toward her.
Annie picked it up, the weight of it substantial in her hand. “Just the same pressure from Roy. He’s convinced all our problems would be solved if I would agree to move to the city.”
“Our problems,” Miles repeated.
A smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She took a sip of wine, her mouth flooded with plum and oak.
This was an old favorite of hers. Inexpensive, but rich. Annie couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a glass.
Miles cleared his throat. “I’m sorry if it seems like I’m overly harsh on him. I’ve seen his tricks before.”
“Roy’s tricks in particular?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Well, not him, exactly,” he said. “But the playbook. My dad did the same thing. Came up with some excuses and and left one day.”
Annie’s heart sank. No wonder he was being so nice to her. He felt bad for her because she reminded him of his mom.
Humbling for Annie, to be sure. Worse for him.
She set her wine glass down. “I’m so sorry, Miles.”
He waved a hand, scrunching up the left side of his handsome face. “It only made me stronger. My mom raised me on her own. We didn’t need him.”
“I hope my kids feel the same way,” she said quietly. “Because it doesn’t seem like he’s in any rush to get to know them.”
His eyes latched onto hers. “It’s his mistake. And yes, they will feel the same way.”
“I shouldn’t say anything.” She sighed. “If I moved, I’m sure he’d see them more often. They love seeing him. They need to see him.”
“Funny how the onus is on you to make it easier for him, though.”
Annie flinched, crossing her arms over her chest. Any time she spoke badly of Roy, a sinking guilt hit her immediately. Roy could still make her question herself. Was it her fault he didn’t see the twins more? Or was it his?
Did it have to be anyone’s fault? She needed to be mature and do what was best for the twins. If that was moving to Seattle, then so be it.
“I think,” he said gently, “your mom is onto something. Moving there, being removed from everyone who knows and loves you – that’s not nothing.”
She bit her lip. He had a point—it was one of the thoughts she wrestled with constantly. It wasn’t just finding a place to live that she could afford, or finding a new job. She’d have to find a new support system, if that was even possible.
“I know.”
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac carried over the speakers and Annie gasped, putting a hand to her chest. “I love this song.”
“Me too.” He stepped forward, his hand outstretched, “Shall we?”
Her heart took off in her chest. “Here?”
“Why not?” He untied his apron and tossed it onto the kitchen counter.
She stood from the kitchen stool, her head spinning. Was it the wine, or was she swooning?
It was unlike her to swoon. It couldn’t be that.
There wasn’t time to dwell on it. She put her hand into his, the skin of his palms rough and warm, and he led her to an open spot near the dining room table.
Annie placed a hand on the back of his neck. He put his hand around her waist and gently pulled her closer, his massive frame swaying left, then right, guiding her.
How could someone so large be so graceful?
“I’m not trying to influence you,” he said, his voice low.
His face was so near hers, but she’d have to stand on her tiptoes to close the distance. The thought made the breath catch in her throat.
“I know,” she said. “I want to do the right thing. I just don’t know what that is.”
He stared at her intently, his face unreadable.
She was spurred to speak again. “Thank you so much for having us. Everything was delicious, and Bella was so welcoming. I felt like royalty.”
A smile hitched the corner of his mouth. He leaned his head closer to hers and dropped his voice. “I’m glad to hear it. It’s no less than you deserve.”
Her heart pounded in her chest. What did he mean by it all? Was this more of him feeling bad for her?
Annie’s head spun, and she stared up at him, unable to break away from his eyes.
The front door opened with a creak.
“I’m back!” Bella’s voice called out.
They flew apart, with Annie standing like a fool and Miles almost teleporting next to the kitchen sink.
“That was fast,” Miles said.
Bella walked in, her hair tousled. “Those little ones were so tired. We got them in bed as fast as we could, and they were asleep within minutes.”
Nothing seemed to register on Bella’s face. No recognition of seeing them dance, no hint of the weirdness in the air. Thank goodness.
Annie forced a smile. “That’s amazing. Thank you so much, Bella.”
“No problem. It was my pleasure.” She turned to face her father. “Now, Dad, you promised me we could look at that dating application that came in last week.”
Annie’s heart sunk. On the positive side, Bella hadn’t noticed the energy between them. Unfortunately, it meant her nation-wide search for her new mom was still on.
He scratched an eyebrow with his thumb. “I don’t think that’s what I said.”
“Yes it is! I mean, close enough.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t care. I’m getting my laptop.”
She took off up the stairs.
Silence hung between them like a dark cloak. Annie took a breath and looked at him. He was staring at her with an intense expression.
“I should get going.” Annie walked to the closet.
He was instantly at her side. “I’m sorry,” he said, voice low, “I didn’t mean to – ”
She shook her head. “No, please. It was – ”
She paused. What was she trying to say? She didn’t know what he was apologizing for. The magical night? The delicious food and wine? Swaying her so gently in his big arms?
“I think,” he said slowly, “I got carried away. I’m sorry.”
Of course. Apologizing for everything. Getting too close. Being too handsome.
He had to know the effect he had.
“Yeah, me too,” Annie said in a hushed voice.
“I wouldn’t want Bella getting the wrong idea,” he continued. “You know. I’ve made it pretty clear that I’m not going to entertain her ideas of dating.”
Oh, what a fool she was.
It was like a bucket of ice cold water had been splashed onto her head. Any dizzy feeling from the wine evaporated, replaced with being smacked back down to earth.
How could she – even for a moment, there in his arms – how could she have thought he might feel something for her? That he might want to disrupt this life of his, these plans, for her?
Annie made sure the smile was frozen on her face. “Of course.”
Bella reentered the room. “She’s a firefighter, dad! What more could you ask for?”
“Bella – ” he said, his tone serious.
“I have to get going. Thank you both,” Annie said, pulling on her coat. “It was a magical night.”
What possessed her to say that, she didn’t know. But there it was, left hanging in their foyer.
Annie spun, pulling open the door and plunging into the cold evening air.
The next day, Annie couldn’t stop replaying the night in her head, over and over. She managed to avoid questioning from her mom, somehow, with a cursory, “I helped him clean up and that was the end of it.”
She didn’t ask any questions. It was miraculous, really.
They were getting lunch together for the twins when a honk rang out outside.
Annie peeked through the window and saw Lauren waving excitedly from the driver’s seat of a red Porsche.
“What is this!” Annie said, opening the front door.
“I got a new car, baby!” Lauren yelled. “I just got off the ferry. I thought I’d see if I could take you to lunch to thank you for all those rides.”
She gaped at her. “Right now?”
Annie’s mom appeared behind her. “Oh, go on. I’ll do lunch and naps. I’m good for it, I swear.”
“I don’t know – ”
Her mom disappeared, returning a moment later with her coat.
“I need to say bye to the kids,” Annie said. She popped her head into the house. “Leon, Noel! I’ll be back in just a little bit.”
They glanced up at her, then returned to their game of jumping on the couch pillows on the floor.
She went to the car and took a seat. “Lauren, this is so fancy!”
“I know! I’m honestly just looking for excuses to drive around,” she said with a laugh.
Annie nodded, her eyes drifting down the street toward Miles’ house. She hadn’t heard from him since she’d left so abruptly. He probably thought she was rude. Or he was busy picking out his future wife from the pile of Miss America contestants Bella had found for him.
“Uh, hello, are you okay?” Lauren asked.
Annie’s head snapped over, looking at her. “Sorry.”
“Long night?”
She shifted on the smooth leather seat. “Not exactly.”
“What’s going on? Is everything okay with Roy?”
Roy. She’d completely forgotten about him for once.
“It’s not him. I think…I have a crush on someone.”
“Shut up! Good for you. Who is it?”
Annie shook her head, smiling. There was no one else to talk about this to. Her head was overflowing with the events of the night. “Oh you know, the same guy every woman on the island has a crush on.”
Lauren gasped. “That firefighter dating guy, Mike?”
“Miles,” Annie corrected. “And yes.”
Lauren paused. “Did he mention anything about the lawsuit?”
“No, why?”
Lauren cleared her throat. “No reason.”
“I know the case was thrown out,” Annie said. “My mom told me.”
“Yup. Dismissed. There’s nothing else they can do,” Lauren said.
“You sound like you’re happy about it. Like you’re against the firefighter,” Annie said with a laugh.
She shrugged. “Listen Annie, it’s all well and good to help the local fire department or whatever, but why do you assume that the firefighters are right about this? Who are they to get in the way of a good business plan?”
Annie turned to her, blinking. Was Lauren serious? She couldn’t be serious. “Because it’s not a good business plan. It’s a monopoly. A pretty obvious one.”
Lauren kept her eyes forward. “That’s not what the judge thought.”
“Do you know that judge? You can’t be on the side of the private equity company.”
“I’m on the side of the law. And yes, Judge Henly and I work together. He made the right choice in throwing the case out.”
Annie was too stunned to counter, and Lauren quickly changed the subject. They had lunch in town, with Lauren insisting on paying before dropping Annie back off at home.
When she walked in the door, her mom was in one piece, and the twins were asleep.
“Now where did she get the money for that car?” her mom asked, staring out the window, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea.
“I have no idea,” Annie said.
Something told her she didn’t want to know.