Chapter 6
Chapter Six
M iles sat on the edge of his bed, thought fuck it , and fell to his back, staring at the ceiling. They’d finished filming with Sam and Lucy at Rain or Shine Brewery this afternoon, and Miles agreed with Joey. It was going to be their best episode of the season.
He’d overheard his producer and the director excitedly discussing certain sections that were not only instructive but extremely entertaining. Sam Storm had a quick wit that paired perfectly with Lucy’s adorable giggle. Their close family relationship shone through every time her cousin playfully ruffled her hair or she tried to shove the giant man in true Elaine from Seinfeld style.
They’d been fun to interview, as they were both very good at sharing their knowledge of brewing beer, while adding amusing anecdotes about failed brews and silly family stories. It had been flawless.
Their producer said she was sorry the schedule for the season was so tight because they could have easily done two episodes on the farm. That was when Joey suggested they add Lightning in a Bottle Winery to next season’s schedule. Given the fact their producer immediately cornered Levi after that conversation, Miles would bet a million dollars he and Joey would be driving back up this mountain in a year’s time.
If not before.
He rubbed his eyes, sighing heavily. He’d spent the better part of yesterday afternoon and today eaten up with guilt over kissing Lucy yesterday morning in the kitchen. He’d been so careful to keep his distance from her, aware of Joey’s interest, but those attempts had been for naught.
The second they’d bumped into each other, and she’d stumbled into his arms, he was lost.
In her eyes.
She had the brightest, bluest eyes he’d ever seen in his life. They reminded him of the Caribbean Sea and made him want to dive in and drown.
So he did.
He’d leaned closer and…
Fuck. He’d kissed plenty of women in his life, but none of those kisses held a candle to Lucy’s.
Not even Rhiannon’s.
Miles shook his head. He needed to put Lucy and her lips and her eyes and?—
Enough.
He was putting her out of his mind.
Clearly, that kiss was a result of Rhiannon’s reappearance in his life fucking with his head, making him remember what he thought they’d had and how much it hurt every time she walked away. In his younger years, Miles had been every bit as romantic as Joey, not only believing in true love but certain he’d found it.
Coming home to the apartment he and Rhiannon shared to find her sitting there with her bags packed had ripped his heart right out of his chest. As she stood there asking for her freedom, he felt his belief in true love and forever burst into flames, burning brighter with every painful word she said. By the time she’d finished telling him she wanted more from life, that being with him wasn’t enough, everything he thought he’d known about love had been rendered to ash.
Joey thought that being around the Morettis should have proven to Miles that true love did exist. Maybe it should have. But self-preservation kicked in whenever he was confronted with the Morettis and their partners, people living the happily ever after he had wanted, the one Rhiannon had set on fire. So he closed his eyes whenever he was with them and refused to see it.
Or at least…he had.
Until Joey tried to force him to open them, to set his gaze on something he really wanted to blind himself to.
Joey had never alluded to wanting what his siblings had, never professed a longing for a threesome relationship. All his friend had ever admitted to seeking was love. Now it was clear that wasn’t all he wanted…and Miles didn’t know how to convince his best friend that he couldn’t be a part of that sort of relationship.
He wasn’t ready to give his heart to another woman. The way that single phone call from Rhiannon had sent him into a downward spiral had proven he was still fucked-up by his ex.
Lucy deserved a man who could give her his whole heart…and his trust.
Miles could offer neither. Rhiannon stolen every drop of his trust. That ability burning up the same day as his belief in true love and forever.
He shouldn’t have kissed Lucy. For her sake. And for Joey’s.
The worst part of this whole mess was that Miles knew his guilt was completely wasted. Joey had acquired a permanent grin since walking into that kitchen yesterday morning. It hadn’t taken his best friend more than ten seconds to figure out what had happened, and he’d made no attempts to hide how fucking happy it made him.
Without a clue what to do, Miles had fallen back on the tried and untrue, attempting to put some distance between him and Lucy again, reassuming what he was calling his mountain personality, aka, grumpy asshole.
However, his efforts at rebuffing her had failed miserably because neither Lucy nor Joey were content to leave him and his miserable attitude alone. It was as if they’d joined forces and doubled down, increasing the force of their tractor beam and finding humorous ways to shoot down his scowls. He was stuck tight, and because he was a damn fool, he was no longer fighting as hard as he should be.
His phone beeped with an incoming text. Miles didn’t even bother to reach for his cell. Rhiannon had texted him at least a dozen times over the past few days—just a series of selfies and gifs and some tiny tidbits about her day—and last night, she called. He’d foolishly hit like on a couple of the texts and, while he’d known he shouldn’t have, he’d answered the phone.
It had been a very friendly, run-of-the-mill conversation, Rhiannon claiming she was calling to touch base and see how the filming was going. They chatted for a little while about a lot of nothing, then said goodbye.
After a lifetime of history, it felt like he should be able to maintain a “just friends” relationship with Rhiannon. That was why he kept letting himself fall back in with her. It was easy. They’d talk about old times, all the fun they’d had as kids. While his memory was shit, Rhiannon’s was incredible. He would put money down that she could tell him what outfit he wore on the first day of seventh grade. It was uncanny the details she recalled, and it was fun to talk to someone who remembered his childhood better than he did.
These calls where they caught up after a long time apart didn’t take any work. God, they could go two years without talking, then she’d call, and they would pick up the conversation like they had just seen each other the day before. The problem was, those early reminisces never included the bad times, never ventured into anything that might be difficult or uncomfortable or painful to recall.
So, they’d strike the friendship back up.
And then…more.
Sex had never been a problem for them, the two of them coming together in a wave of passion and need and desire.
Unfortunately, the “more” was always when the trouble started. Because all those old feelings emerged, giving him hope that things had changed, that this time they would go the distance. Then that hope was sucker punched to the ground when Rhiannon pulled her vanishing act again.
He recalled a quote from Ted Lasso that had stuck with him after watching the show. “It’s the hope that kills you.”
Wasn’t that the damn truth.
“Fuck,” he muttered, pushing thoughts of Rhiannon out of his head. He had bigger fish to fry at the moment.
Miles glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. He needed to get ready for the evening. The second they’d wrapped up filming, Joey had cornered him and Lucy, suggesting the three of them go out to celebrate.
Alone.
Miles had tried to bow out so that Joey could take Lucy on a proper date. He’d used the “I’m too tired” excuse, but of course, Joey had refused to let him off the hook, claiming it was only dinner and he had to eat anyway.
When Lucy joined in, begging him to come along, he’d foolishly agreed—then kicked his own ass the entire way back to the cabin.
It was no wonder Rhiannon kept managing to finagle her way back into his life. He apparently had no self-control when it came to things he wanted.
His entire life, he had wanted Rhiannon.
But right now…
Well, now, he wanted the same girl as his best friend.
Joey seemed to think that was an easy fix. All they had to do was embrace the Moretti way and share.
Miles hadn’t lied when he said wasn’t wired that way. He’d spent a lot of time with Joey’s brothers, observing their relationships. Never—not once—did he ever look at them and think that lifestyle was the one for him. When he settled down, there was only going to be one man and one woman in his bed. The idea of having sex with another guy present…
Nope. Not for him.
He worked solo.
Miles pushed himself upright with a groan, then managed to get his ass moving.
Twenty-five minutes later, he walked into the living room to find Joey sitting on the couch, looking at his phone.
He glanced up as Miles plopped down next to him.
“I can still stay in,” he offered, even though he knew it was wasted breath.
“Nope. It’s our last night with Lucy. I want to make it count.”
Miles sighed. “It’s your last night.”
Joey studied him. “You know, you can’t dodge the subject forever. Just how hot was that kiss you and Lucy shared in the kitchen? Because it sure as hell wasn’t heat from the stove that made her blush like that.”
Joey had been relentless, asking him about the kiss every time he managed to get Miles alone.
He didn’t budge. “I told you. Nothing happened.”
“Mm-hmm. So, what were you talking about then? Lucy said family.”
Miles nodded, quickly recounting Lucy’s story about her parents’ death and Nora’s presence in the car. He didn’t feel like he was betraying a trust because Lucy mentioned the fact everyone in town already knew. Plus, well, the woman had proven herself to be an open book on just about everything. Something about her told Miles she wouldn’t mind him sharing the story.
“Jesus,” Joey muttered when he was finished.
“Yeah. Jesus.” Miles’s phone pinged, but he ignored it.
“You gonna check your texts?” Joey asked when Miles didn’t pull out his cell.
He shrugged.
“Rhiannon still texting?”
He nodded. He hadn’t planned to mention her texts to Joey, but his phone had been on the kitchen table yesterday when she’d sent another one. Joey picked it up to hand it to him, scowling when he saw her name and realized it was an ongoing thread.
He wasn’t sure if Joey was upset because he thought Miles was caving or—knowing his friend—mad that Miles wasn’t focused on pursuing Lucy with him.
“Miles,” Joey started.
“It’s just a few friendly texts, Joey. I’m not starting things up with her again.”
Fortunately, Joey was in a good mood, thanks to their upcoming date—no, not date, dinner —so he grinned when he said, “I’m not sure how you can start things up with Rhiannon when we’ve found our girl right here on this mountain.”
Miles rolled his eyes. “Keep it up and I’m staying in tonight.”
Joey laughed, gripping Miles’s shoulder. “Empty threat. It’s our last night. There’s no way you’d miss out on spending it with Lucy.”
As he spoke, Joey’s smile faded, unhappy with the prospect of leaving tomorrow.
“No one is dying, Joe. Tonight isn’t the end if you don’t want it to be. There’s Zoom and FaceTime and texting. Plus, we have that holiday hiatus from filming between Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can come back then if you want.”
Joey perked up, realizing Thanksgiving was only a few weeks away. “You’re right. We can come back.”
“Pretty sure I didn’t say anything about me.”
“You’ll come back too.” Joey rose when headlights shone through the front window. Lucy was picking them up in her car for the trip down the mountain.
Miles didn’t bother to continue the argument. Joey was a headstrong motherfucker when it came to getting his way. Not that it mattered because once Miles left this mountain tomorrow, he wasn’t coming back. If Joey and Lucy were meant to be, they’d find a way…as a couple.
Joey pulled on his lightweight coat, then opened the door. There was a nip in the air tonight. Miles grabbed his leather jacket, following. Lucy waved from the car.
Joey claimed the passenger seat, so Miles climbed in the back.
“Where are you taking us?” Joey asked.
“There’s this awesome little French restaurant on Main Street,” she replied.
For the rest of the trip to town, Lucy entertained them with stories of Gracemont’s first families. Apparently, some of the local families had been living in the small town “since God was a baby,” according to Lucy. Miles chuckled at the expression.
“Oh shit,” Joey said, pointing when they hit the city limits. The sidewalks were crawling with parents and kids, all venturing from house to house. “I forgot it was Halloween.”
Lucy slowed down, just in case any kids decided to dart across the street. “Obviously, we don’t get any trick or treaters at the farm, so whenever my sisters and I get the desire to participate, Edith Millholland lets us sit on her front porch with bowls of candy to hand out. Miss Edith lives in a huge house toward the end of Main Street. It’s too big for just her, so she rents out rooms. She’s a sixth-generation Gracemont local and a real hoot.”
She took a right at the next stop sign, then pointed. “Here we are. Café Des Amis.”
There was a small parking lot behind the restaurant, which looked like it had been a home somewhere in the past before it was renovated into a French restaurant.
“I called ahead,” Lucy said as they got out of the car. “Not that reservations are usually needed, but I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.”
“Lucy!” an older woman called out as soon as they walked inside, approaching them.
“Hello, Bridget,” Lucy replied, turning to them. She introduced them to the woman, who was also the owner.
Bridget spoke with a soft, lilting French accent. “I was delighted when Lucy called earlier to tell us she was bringing you in. My husband is in the kitchen cooking, but I’m sure he will stop by the table at some point to meet you. He started watching the show when Rex told him you would be coming to film at Rain or Shine Brewery. He’s hooked. I must apologize to you both now, but he bought a magazine with the two of you on the cover, and he was hoping to get it signed.”
Joey chuckled. “We’d be happy to.”
“Let me show you to your table. I saved you the best.” Bridget guided them through the quaint foyer. This had definitely been a home because the floor plan hadn’t been altered much. Rather than rip out walls to create one large dining room, there were three separate rooms with tables set up. The room they were led to only had two other tables, both empty. Between the dim lighting and the fire burning in the fireplace, the place was downright romantic, something that wasn’t lost on Joey, who looked far too pleased.
“It is a slow night,” Bridget explained. “Most parents are out and about with their kids, while the rest of town is sitting on their front porches handing out candy. I suspect you will have this room all to yourself.”
They took their seats at the round table, accepting the menus as Bridget handed them out, telling them what the specials were. “Now,” Bridget said at last. “Let me go get you some glasses of water. Would you like anything else to drink?”
They decided to split a bottle of cabernet sauvignon.
Once they were alone in the dining room, Joey smiled. “This is a great place, honey.”
“Wait until you taste the food. Bridget’s husband, Jacques, is an amazing cook. He was the chef in a Michelin-star restaurant in D.C. for nearly twenty years before Bridget convinced him to open his own place. A few years back, they came here one Saturday in the fall to look at the leaves and do a wine tasting at Lightning in a Bottle. They took one look at the view and knew they’d found their new home.”
“I’m not surprised at all,” Joey said. “There’s definitely something special about this place.”
Bridget came back with their drinks and to take their orders. All three of them requested the special, when Lucy told them she’d had it before and it was her favorite.
Bridget promised the food would be out soon and left them alone again.
“So where are you guys off to next?” Lucy asked.
Miles groaned. “We’re heading to Nashville to film a guy who makes one-of-a-kind catios and birdhouses.”
“What’s a catio?” Lucy asked.
Joey chuckled. “A screened-in porch for cats.”
Lucy laughed. “I can’t decide if that sounds cool or insane.”
“We’ve met the guy who builds them, so I think insane is the right guess,” Miles grumbled.
Joey slapped him on the shoulder. “He’s not that bad.”
“Remember you said that in a few days.” Miles took a sip of his wine. “The guy is the brother-in-law of one of our executive producers, Sherri. He drove out to visit her once when we were on location close to Nashville. Apparently, he convinced Sherri to add him to this season’s schedule.”
“Sherri is a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady. I think she has like seven at home,” Joey interjected. “Her brother-in-law made a custom catio for her, and she loved it. Now, she’s convinced every cat lover in the world will want one for their precious fur babies.”
“Doesn’t sound too bad,” Lucy mused.
Miles scowled. “The brother-in-law literally has the loudest, most obnoxious laugh in history.”
Joey grimaced. “To make things worse, he only laughs at his own jokes, which aren’t funny. And he keeps laughing until everyone else joins in.”
“Oh my,” Lucy said sympathetically.
“At least we’ll be in Nashville,” Joey added, always finding that silver lining. “I love Nashville.”
Lucy sighed. “I’ve never been, but it’s another on my list of places I’d love to travel to.” She glanced at Miles. “Right after New York, in fact. The real New York, not the one where they have that horrible Queens accent.”
“Oh, that’s real nice, Luce,” Miles pretended to chastise her. Then he whipped out his old accent as payback. “You’s know it would serve you right if I used that accent for the rest of the night.”
Joey and Lucy both covered their ears, begging him to spare them.
Miles waved them off, grinning.
“After Nashville,” Joey continued, “we’re heading to Maris, Texas, to film an episode with a rancher, Hank Cooper. Trudy, another producer, was passing through the town and stopped at a local barbeque place that had been featured in a magazine she’d read. You’ve met Trudy,” Joey said to Lucy, “so you probably know by now she can strike up a conversation with a wall.”
Lucy grinned. “She does like to talk.”
“Understatement of the century,” Miles muttered.
“Trudy is the one who discovered you, right?” Lucy asked Miles.
He nodded. “That’s her.”
“Anyway,” Joey continued. “Trudy started talking to the bartender about ManPower , and the next thing she knew, the bartender was dragging her home to meet her husband. It must have been an impressive ranch because Trudy decided to film a show there while they’re making homemade apple butter. Apparently it’s a weekend event, with lots of people chipping in to do the work.”
“Sounds like some real Little House on the Prairie shit,” Miles added.
“Maybe so, but I think it still sounds amazing.” Lucy sighed. “God, I’m so jealous of you guys, getting to travel all over the country, meeting different people, experiencing all these cool things.”
“You’ve really never traveled anywhere?” Miles asked.
“One time, when I was seven, my mom insisted that my sisters and I needed to see the ocean. She talked Dad into taking a long weekend and we drove to Ocean City. I can remember standing there at the edge of the shore, the waves lapping around my ankles, thinking I’d never seen anything so big. I’d love to go back one day.”
“You’ve only seen the ocean once?”
She nodded sadly. “You can’t just take a vacation when you live on a farm because the chores still need to be done. One day, though, maybe I’ll take off on a grand adventure.”
It sounded to Miles like Lucy had inherited a bit of her mother’s wanderlust.
“Maybe?” Joey asked.
Lucy seemed uncomfortable that Joey had picked up on that word. “It’s not a good time for me to leave.”
“Why not?” Joey pressed.
Given Lucy’s silence, it was obvious she didn’t have a response. In the end, she just shrugged.
Joey leaned forward, reaching for Lucy’s hand. “You know what I think? You should come with us when we leave tomorrow.”
Lucy laughed, thinking Joey was joking. Miles didn’t even crack a smile—because he could see the light that had just gone on in his best friend’s head.
Shit was about to go off the rails.
Lucy’s laughter died when Joey said, “I’m serious.”
She shook her head. “Joey, I can’t just take off.”
“Why not? You know, most employed people get vacation leave, and it sounds to me like you’re owed a lot of it.”
“I’m not just an employee. I’m part owner of the brewery.”
“And you have many very capable people working for you. Plus, Sam and Theo are there to keep things rolling.”
“Yeah, but?—”
Joey cut her off. “Think about it, Lucy. We’re offering you the chance to knock a city off that list of dream trips. I’m not kidding. You’ll love Nashville.”
“Yeah, but aren’t all your travel arrangements made by the production company? I’m not even sure how?—”
“We’re road-tripping it,” Joey said, interrupting her again. “I hate flying. Had a terrifying experience with turbulence once. Swore after I got my feet back on the ground, I was never stepping in one of those death boxes in the sky again.”
“You drive everywhere?”
Miles sighed. “Yep. Joey is a firm believer in that old saying, it’s the journey, not the destination. The producers have gotten better at setting our schedules, always padding in a few extras days for us to get from point A to point B. Because this guy,” Miles jerked his thumb toward Joey, “loves stopping at random places he finds on the way. And he refuses to eat from chain restaurants, only eating at local places along the road.”
Joey took a sip of wine. “Some of the best meals I’ve ever had have come from off-the-beaten-path, run-down diners.”
Miles couldn’t argue with that. “He’s dragged me into a few sketchy places, but damn if the food hasn’t been killer. And we’ve seen some interesting sights. Remember that literal hole-in-the-wall in New Orleans?”
“Literal?” Lucy asked.
Miles nodded. “Yep. We entered via hole in the wall. Best damn breakfast I ever had.”
“What about Carhenge in Nebraska,” Joey said. “I sure as hell had to drag your ass there .”
Miles grinned, then explained to Lucy, who looked confused. “It’s this exact replica of Stonehenge, made completely out of cars and car parts.”
Lucy’s eyes widened. “No way.”
“It was really cool,” Miles admitted, hoping he’d changed the subject enough to distract Joey from continuing his campaign to take Lucy on the road with them. Even though the idea of her coming with them sounded more appealing than it should, considering he’d set his mind on leaving and letting Joey continue to woo Lucy long-distance style.
If she joined them on the road…
The tune to “Jessie’s Girl” started playing in his head, but Miles found himself changing the name from Jessie to Joey.
Miles and Joey had never fought over a woman, and Miles intended to keep it that way. Since sharing wasn’t an option he would consider, what other choice did he have except to step aside?
Of course, that step would be easier to take without Lucy around.
“See what you’re missing?” Joey asked.
He hadn’t laid down the gauntlet. In fact, Miles braced himself because it looked like his friend was only just getting started.
“Yeah, but—” Lucy started.
Joey steamrolled right over her. “It’s a ten-hour drive to Nashville. We’ll be there four days before we head on to Texas.”
“Nashville,” she whispered, clearly tempted.
Miles remained quiet, though the smart thing to do would be to put his foot down, come up with some solid reasons why Lucy should remain on the farm.
“I can’t just pack up and go,” she said with a lot less force.
Joey leaned toward her. “Why not? You just finished saying you longed for an adventure. We’re offering you one.”
Lucy took a long sip of her wine, clearly stalling. It looked to Miles like she was seriously thinking about the offer. “So I would just fly home after Nashville? Just one week?” she mused, speaking more to herself than them.
“Or venture on to Texas with us,” Joey added. “I saw the way your eyes lit up when I talked about our plans on that ranch. You should be a part of that.”
Miles fought hard to swallow his groan.
Lucy shook her head, obviously thinking that Joey was starting to get carried away. “And what comes after Texas?”
Joey’s grin proved he was claiming the victory, even though Miles thought it was premature. “We make our way back to the East Coast—Baltimore, to be exact—to film the next show, so it would be very easy for us to drop you off at home on the way.”
“Oh,” Lucy breathed.
Miles had to hand it to Joey. He’d certainly tied up Lucy’s dream trip in a big bow.
“Or you could just pack in the day job and join us in our adventurous lifestyle,” Joey joked.
She didn’t laugh. “I couldn’t do that. I wouldn’t… I’m not…”
Miles couldn’t tell if Lucy was trying to convince herself or them.
“Come on, Lucy,” Joey said. “You’ve spent your whole life on that farm, taking care of your grandparents, working in the brewery. Do something for yourself. You deserve it, honey.”
Lucy toyed with the stem of her wineglass, not speaking for several moments. When she did, Miles knew he was screwed.
“So I’d be gone a couple of weeks?” she asked.
“Plus a few days, yeah,” Joey replied.
Miles needed to stem this flood somehow. “If that’s impossible, like you said, you could always catch a flight home from Nashville.”
Maybe he could survive one more week with her…but two? Three?
Joey flashed him a dirty look. “Or we’ll drop you off, like I said. You don’t want to miss Texas.”
Lucy bit her lower lip. “Is there even room for me in the car?”
Joey rubbed his hands together. “That’s the best part. This season, the show’s providing us with a motorhome to travel in. It arrives tomorrow morning. When we told our producers about the cool side trips we’d been taking, they offered us the RV with the caveat that we record anything from our journey we think is interesting. The idea is to include outtakes at the end of each show, where it’s me and Miles recording funny shit on our way to the location.”
“That would be fun,” Lucy agreed. “An RV, huh? Guess that requires a follow-up question. Where would I sleep in the RV? Because this felt more doable when I thought you guys drove in your car and slept in hotels.”
“There’s a king bed in the bedroom, a bunk bed, and a loft bed above the front seats. Plenty of room.” Joey had an answer for everything. In fact, he seemed so prepared, Miles began to wonder if his friend had only just thought of inviting Lucy to join them or if he’d come here tonight with the plan already in hand.
Lucy took a sip of wine. “Can I think about it?”
Joey reached out and squeezed her hand. “Of course. The RV doesn’t arrive until tomorrow afternoon. Take the night, talk to your family.”
Bridget returned with their food, which was absolutely delicious. Miles had never had lamb shank navarin, but he was damn sure he was going to want to have it again.
Jacques, the chef, visited their table for a few minutes, the man just as pleasant and friendly as his wife. They signed his magazine and posed for pictures, with Lucy serving as photographer.
Then they wrapped up the meal by splitting crème br?lée, all of them too stuffed from dinner to order their own desserts.
As they walked back to the car, Joey grasped one of Lucy’s hands. When she caught Miles looking at their clasped hands, she reached out and took his as well.
Miles should have let it go, but he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
Or at least, that was what he told himself, rather than admitting he liked the feeling of her small hand in his.
The ride home was a quiet affair. Miles figured Lucy and Joey were in the same boat as him. Too pleasantly full and lethargic after a long day and a warm, wonderful meal, as well as consumed by thoughts of what came next.
Lucy parked in front of the cabin.
“Nightcap?” Joey offered. “We’ve got a variety of Rain or Shine beers and a couple bottles of wine. Mila stocks one hell of a fridge.”
“I’d love to come in.”
Miles kicked himself for being happy by her response. He’d gone to dinner seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. This was supposed to be their last night. Clear sailing come morning.
However, with his invitation to Lucy, Joey had gone full-on Wile E. Coyote, setting off the dynamite and sealing the tunnel.
Joey grabbed the beer while Lucy claimed a spot on the couch. Miles started to sit down on an overstuffed armchair, but Joey bumped his shoulder, practically herding him toward the couch. “Sit with us.”
Against his better judgment, Miles claimed one end of the couch, Joey the other, as Lucy curled one leg beneath her, sitting in between them.
Joey handed out the beers and they tapped them together.
“To new adventures,” Joey said before taking a sip.
Lucy smiled. “I’m still thinking about it, Joey. I haven’t committed to anything yet. In truth, I’m not sure I can make this work on such short notice. It wouldn’t be fair to Sam and Theo.”
Joey placed his beer on the end table, then turned toward Lucy, his arm draped over the back of the couch behind her. “You deserve a vacation, Lucy. Are you telling me Sam never takes one?”
Lucy’s grimace answered that question, so she didn’t bother to answer it, but instead lodged one of her own. “Is he always this relentless?” she asked Miles.
“Honestly? Yes,” Miles replied. In the past, he’d always considered Joey’s drive one of the best things about him because their ambitions lined up perfectly. They were committed to making the show a continued success, hoping to draw this career out for as long as they could. After all, House Hunters was still going strong after two decades. They wouldn’t mind beating that record.
“You know you want to do this, Lucy.” Joey took her beer away, placing it next to his on the end table. “If it helps, call it a work trip. You can bring your equipment and record a few episodes of Kiss and Tell while we’re on the road.”
With that suggestion, Joey managed to slam the last nail in Miles’s coffin because his friend had finally dangled the ultimate carrot.
“I could do that,” Lucy said softly. “I’ve always wanted…”
“You don’t really want the show to be a hobby, Luce,” Joey continued. “Why not take the next few weeks to see if you could turn it into a career. Your dream job, right?”
She nodded, clearly overwhelmed by temptation. “It is,” she confessed. “I think if I told Sam and Theo I would be filming the show…”
Joey stroked Lucy’s hair, and Miles didn’t miss her soft intake of air at the touch or the slightest tinge of pink creeping up her neck to her cheeks.
Joey leaned toward her, his lips next to her ear. “They’d encourage you to go.”
“They would,” she whispered.
Miles tried to ignore the way his body was responding to this conversation.
No. It wasn’t the words that were impacting him.
It was their body language. He was reacting to Joey’s hand slipping beneath Lucy’s hair to gently grip her neck. To the way Lucy’s eyelids became heavy. To the way she turned her face just the slightest bit until Joey’s lips were a mere inch from hers.
Miles told himself he should get up and walk away, but he couldn’t. Just like he couldn’t stop watching them.
He was tempted to tell Joey to hurry the hell up and kiss her. Then he wanted to demand he do more. Like unbutton her pretty blouse and run his lips along that elegant neck, down to her breasts. From there, he’d suggest Joey draw her bra down until one of her nipples popped free, so his friend could take it in his mouth and suck until Lucy moaned.
Jesus Christ. He’d never considered himself a voyeur, but he wouldn’t mind a show.
To keep himself from speaking, Miles took a long sip of his beer, nearly draining the bottle, before deciding alcohol was the last thing he needed right now. He should keep his wits about him. He put the bottle down, trying again to make himself leave the room.
Joey must have sensed the war he was waging with himself because his friend’s gaze darted over Lucy’s shoulder to capture his, and Miles saw the subtle way Joey shook his head before turning back to her…and giving her the kiss Miles had been waiting for.
This kiss was much different from the first one Miles had stood witness to on the porch. That one, while hot, had been more tentative, an exploration, a get-to-know-you kind of first-date kiss.
This one surpassed that by far, Joey and Lucy coming together like they’d known each other for years. It was as if they were ravished, their hungry, passionate embrace rivaling those of lovers reunited after a war.
Joey gripped her neck tightly in one hand, the other slipping around her back. Lucy’s fists clenched his shirt, tugging him closer with a desperation that took Miles’s breath away. He saw their lips part, their tongues touch, and suddenly, Miles was parched for his own taste.
He sat there, still as a statue. Or so he thought.
Between one blink and the next, he realized he wasn’t as far away as he’d been a minute ago. Because before…he couldn’t feel the heat from their bodies, couldn’t smell the beer on their breath as their kiss went nuclear.
Joey released Lucy, rubbing his beard against her cheek as he whispered in her ear, loud enough for both of them to hear. “Kiss Miles. I want to see it this time.”
Miles tried to resist, but everything about tonight—the cozy fireplace and romantic atmosphere in the restaurant, the wine, the way Lucy’s lips were right there, so full and pink and utterly kissable—was just too much. So, he allowed himself to shut down all the thoughts and anxieties and bad feelings that had been swirling around inside him for nearly a week and give in to what he wanted.
One kiss, he thought as he looked at her.
Just one.
Lucy twisted, desire etched in every line on her face, and he was helpless to resist her. They slammed together with the same level of need as they showed Joey exactly what he’d missed yesterday morning. Miles grasped her waist, his fingers itching to pull her over his lap, so that he could feel the heat from her pussy against his denim-covered cock. He hadn’t dry-humped since he was a teenager, but damn if he didn’t want to do that with Lucy.
She cupped his cheeks in her soft hands, kissing him like…
Fuck. She kissed him like he mattered.
He wasn’t sure what to make of that, what to do with it. Like Joey, he was no stranger to dating, to one-night stands, to casual affairs. Neither of them had been living like monks, but it had been a long time—too fucking long since he’d kissed a woman he knew he could…
Care for.
Fall in love with.
Miles’s phone buzzed in his pocket, the sound hitting him like a bucket of cold water being dumped over his head. He jerked back, the hands he’d been using to hold Lucy tight, now pushing her away.
Lucy blinked several times, her brows furrowed in confusion over his abrupt actions.
“That shouldn’t have happened.” Miles had to clear his throat, the guttural words sounded too gruff, even to his own ears.
Lucy bit her lip, suddenly unsure and uncomfortable.
Goddammit. He’d hurt her feelings.
He didn’t have to look directly at Joey to see the anger on his friend’s face. Less than a week in and Joey’s protective instincts when it came to Lucy were already full force.
Lucy nodded, bobbing her head too rapidly. “You’re right. I haven’t decided what to do about the grand adventure, but if I do decide to go, it’s best that we do it as friends. Thank you for being the voice of reason, Miles.” She rose as she spoke the last, not looking at him or Joey.
“Lucy,” Joey started, when she made a beeline for the door.
“It’s getting late, and I need to run the idea of taking some time off by my family.”
She was still considering the trip. Or perhaps she was simply pretending she was so that she could make her escape.
Miles wasn’t sure if he was relieved or disappointed by the idea that she might turn them down.
Joey followed her to the door, reaching out to grasp her hand before she could get away. “Please come with us, honey.”
She smiled at the nickname, but Miles noticed it didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I promise I’ll think about it,” was all she said.
Joey nodded stiffly, then stood in the open doorway, watching as she climbed into the car and drove down the country lane.
Once she was gone, Joey closed the door with a bit too much force before turning the lock. Miles braced himself for the onslaught, certain his friend was about to read him the riot act.
Instead, he leaned against the door wearily, studying his face for a moment.
“I’m sorry.”
Of all the things Miles expected Joey to say, that sure as shit wasn’t on his bingo card. “What?”
Joey gave him a guilty look. “I should have talked to you before inviting Lucy to come with us. It’s just…the idea popped into my head at dinner and the next thing I knew, I was saying it out loud.”
Miles couldn’t be angry about that.
Well, he could, but he wasn’t.
He knew his best friend very well. Knew Joey Moretti was nothing if not impulsive. It was probably one of the best things about him, since Miles tended to be overly cautious. These last two years with Joey had been the best of his life because he’d experienced things, done things he never would have considered attempting without Joey dragging him along.
“It’s okay, Joe,” Miles said. “Lucy is great. I meant what I said the other day. She’s perfect for you.” This time he was careful not to pause after the word perfect . “I know you want to spend more time with her, and her coming along will give you that opportunity.”
“Us,” Joey added.
Miles sighed but didn’t contradict him. How could he after what they’d just done on the couch? He didn’t exactly have a leg to stand on, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try to find his footing again.
He had to.
“I’m think I’m going to turn in. Good night.” Joey pushed away from the door and walked to his bedroom.
“Night,” Miles called out, following suit, heading to his own room.
He sank down on his bed, unsurprised when his phone buzzed again with an incoming text, Rhiannon’s name flashing on the screen.
You still up?
He considered ignoring the text until the kiss he shared with Lucy replayed in his mind.
He couldn’t be a part of what Joey wanted.
He just…couldn’t.
Miles opened the message thread.
Yeah. Just climbed into bed. Been a busy week.
Coming home for Thanksgiving?
Tell her, he thought to himself . Tell her.
Tell her you can’t be her friend. Tell her you can’t talk to her anymore, can’t see her. Tell her it’s over. All of it.
Miles touched his lips, the taste of Lucy still lingering there.
Then he stared at his phone, the words he should say fading away.
No. But I’ll be home for Christmas.
He put his phone on the nightstand, not waiting for a reply. Then he lay down without bothering to get undressed and closed his eyes, closed his mind.
To all of it.