Chapter Twenty-Nine
“How quaint this is.” Penelope ran her hand along Miles’s back before she took a seat next to him at the table. Her tone indicated she thought our “family” dinners were anything but quaint.
I wasn’t sure why Miles insisted we keep our usual routine with his friends in town.
I thought for sure when they arrived a couple hours ago Miles would want to go out to dinner like Penelope suggested.
After an elongated hug, I might add. I wouldn’t be surprised if Miles had claw marks on his back where she’d marked her territory with her sharp black nails.
She’d immediately marked me as her enemy. Her violet eyes had been shooting daggers at me since the moment Miles introduced us. What did she say? “You are not matronly at all.” She squeezed my hand like she was hoping I would bleed. “Miles’s description of you did not do you justice.”
Miles had given me an uneasy smile and responded, “I said she was motherly.”
What the heck did that mean? I was under the impression he thought I was beautiful.
But who knew? He’d been acting odd ever since his friends arrived.
He was following me around everywhere and insisted on helping me make dinner.
His friends found this to be entertaining.
They all perched around the island while Miles and I made rosemary chicken and roasted vegetables.
Thankfully, Oscar and Molly were my kind of people—funny, a tad off color, and kind.
“You are so domestic now,” Molly had teased Miles.
Molly came as a bit of a surprise to me.
She was supposed to be this award-winning stylist, yet she wore a sweatshirt and yoga pants without a hint of makeup.
She even had gray roots in her mousey brown hair.
But her personality was attractive, so that’s all that mattered.
And she didn’t look like she wanted to stab me, unlike her friend Penelope.
Oscar, on the other hand, made up for Molly’s outward lack of style.
The hair guru was overly dressed for the occasion in a form-fitted royal blue jacket with matching pants and a white button up.
His hair was gorgeous, dyed platinum on the top with dark undertones, and styled to messy perfection.
He called everyone lovey, even Miles, but I had a feeling it was an inside joke between them. Either way, I loved his easy manners.
There was some definite tension at the table when we all sat down.
Miles tensed under Penelope’s touch, which admittedly I was happy about.
I noticed too how Oscar and Molly shook their heads at their friend as if they wished she would keep her hands to herself.
That was a wish I could full-heartedly support.
It didn’t help that once Penelope sat down, she gave me one of those smiles that said game on.
I wasn’t playing games and refused to participate in any she might start.
I planned to focus on Chloe and Henry. Miles seemed to be of the same mind.
“How was school and football practice today?” he asked my daughter while I served Henry and cut up his chicken into bite size pieces.
Chloe took a sip of her water before answering. “They were both good. You should have seen the save I made. I had to dive and when I caught it, I slid so far across the grass.” She was all grins talking about it.
“I don’t think the grass stains are coming out,” I commented.
“If you don’t come home dirty, you didn’t work hard enough.” Miles beamed proudly at Chloe.
“Mom and Emma worked us hard tonight. We play our toughest opponent on Saturday.”
“I look forward to watching the match,” Miles said. “Did you hand in your rough draft?”
By now, Molly, Oscar, and Penelope were staring at their friend in disbelief and looking between each other as if they weren’t sure what to make of our usual dinnertime talk.
“Not yet. It’s due tomorrow. Could you look it over one more time? Please?”
“I’d be happy to.” Miles dished himself some roasted vegetables. It was then Miles realized his friends were all staring at him in awe. “Is there a problem?” he asked.
Molly’s round face broke out into a large grin and she spat out a very girlish giggle. “Blimey, Miles, you’ve changed.”
Miles cleared his throat before picking up his fork and shoveling his food in.
“That was not a criticism, mate,” Molly added in.
Miles gave her a friendly nod.
“Tell us, how is the book coming along?” Oscar asked.
“Yes, darling.” Penelope rubbed his arm, slow and sensual. “Tell us about your work. I’ve been so worried you would be uninspired working in this dreadful small town.” She threw me a placating look. “No offense. I’m sure it’s lovely, just not what we are all accustomed to.”
Was it too early to say I hated her? “None taken.”
Miles wiped his mouth with a napkin and lowered it slowly while he formulated a response.
Penelope dear, who reminded me of a pixie vixen, kept ahold of his arm. Her violet eyes transfixed on Miles, trying to lure him under her spell.
Miles didn’t fall for it; instead he gazed at me. “I’ve been more inspired here than ever before in my life. I believe I have done some of my best work.”
Penelope’s hand dropped like a lead ball.
A look passed between Molly and Oscar that said isn’t that interesting.
I gave Miles a reassuring smile. “It’s amazing.”
“You let her read it?” Penelope sounded appalled.
“She is my assistant,” Miles stated matter of factly. “And my biggest fan.” He winked at me.
That did not go over well with Penelope, who clucked her tongue but had no words.
Molly flashed her a look that said behave.
Penelope took a deep breath and dished herself some chicken.
I’m not going to lie, she scared me.
“Have you named this book yet?” Oscar asked.
Miles gave me the same proud look he had given my daughter moments earlier. “Actually, Aspen did, but I can’t release it until my editor approves it. But it’s brilliant.”
I thought back to Miles’s reaction when I got home from my day out with Henry on Monday.
I swore I thought he was going to kiss me again.
To say he loved Ascending Stones was an understatement.
He went on and on about how brilliant it was.
That it captured the essence of the book.
How both Isabella and Dexter were learning how to rise above what occurred at the stone castle, but they were figuratively learning how to scale their emotional walls.
Miles had cupped my face in his hands. He peered into my eyes like he had so much he wanted to say to me but couldn’t put it into words.
His lips parted and he’d leaned in. Like an idiot, I’d closed my eyes, waiting to taste him again.
Instead, I was treated to a peck on the forehead and Miles scampering away.
Penelope gripped her knife. “Well, Aspen, aren’t you just full of surprises. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“I’m not very good at underwater basket weaving or accepting patronizing compliments, but I’ll keep practicing.” I smirked to the sounds of several snorts and sniggers at the table. I probably should have held my tongue, but like I said, I wasn’t going to play her game.
Penelope’s nostrils flared and I swore I could see her mentally counting.
Then she petted Miles. I think to remind herself what was at stake.
Was Miles willing to be her victim, I meant, lover?
Or was he already? I wasn’t getting that vibe.
The only time he had touched her was that initial hug when they arrived.
Other than that, it was only her hands on him.
“Oh, this is going to be a deliciously fun weekend.” Oscar rubbed his hands together.
I wasn’t sure how much fun it was going to be, but after dinner, Oscar, Molly, and I played a rousing game of Hi Ho!
Cherry-O with Henry at the coffee table, while Miles helped Chloe with her paper at the island.
Penelope sat on the couch wrapped up in her black cloak, drowning herself in wine, acting as if she were in some third world country.
She kept staring at Miles like she’d entered the Twilight Zone.
I wondered what she expected to find. And hello, if she thought this house and Carrington Cove were on the edge of civilization, she was crazy.
“So, Aspen, tell us some more about you.” Molly helped Henry count his cherries. “Have you always wanted to be a nanny?”
“No,” I laughed.
“I love Nanny,” Henry informed everyone.
Miles whipped his head my way. He looked both disturbed and delighted that Henry loved me. As quick as he had looked my way, he turned back to help Chloe, who was full of light from the compliments she’d received from Miles. He was proud of his protégé’s work.
“I love you, Henry,” I made sure to tell the little man in my life, really the only man in my life.
He scrunched his face at me and threw some cherries in the air.
“You have other career aspirations then?” Penelope inserted herself into our conversation. More liked pleaded with me to tell her it was so.
“I’m happy where I’m at.” It was true. Taking care of Henry was the best job I’d ever had. I knew it wouldn’t last, which I tried not to think about because it killed me. And honestly, I had no idea what I wanted to do career-wise after my contract was over. Definitely not go back to the bank.
“I could never be a childminder,” Penelope scoffed in her condescending voice.
“She’s much more than a childminder,” Miles defended me.
“Yes, I forgot she’s your assistant,” Penelope said maniacally.
“She’s also a teacher and she tells fantastic bedtime stories.” Miles flashed me a smile.
Penelope drained her glass.
I tucked some hair behind my ear, feeling uncomfortable being the center of attention. “Please tell me about yourselves. Miles said you’ve all been friends for a long time.”
“We could tell you some wild stories about your boss.” Molly wiggled her eyebrows.
“Not in front of the children,” Miles warned.
Molly reached across the coffee table and patted my hand. “Later, darling.”
“I look forward to it.” I found myself wanting to know everything about Miles.
Penelope sat up and discarded her cloak as if it were on fire. “While we are on the subject of better days, is there a pub in town?” she asked me.
“Sure. There are a few bars.”
“Brilliant. Miles, let’s go have a drink and relive some of our glory days.”
Molly and Oscar were shaking their heads again. “Foolish, foolish girl,” Oscar whispered under his breath.
Miles rubbed the back of his neck and blew out a large breath. “Penny, I can’t. It’s almost Henry’s bedtime and I have some work to do. We’ll all go out for a drink tomorrow night, and Saturday night Aspen will take us to her friends’ comedy club.”
What he meant by “all” was the four of them.
I told Miles I would keep Henry tomorrow night while Chloe was with my dad at the dance.
My parents would keep Henry and Chloe Saturday night so we could go to High On Laughs and see Jenna and Brad perform along with some other top-notch comedians from across the country.
Penelope’s face dropped. I thought she might burst into tears. Part of me felt sorry for her even if she was half evil. More like half in love with Miles. I could see where that could drive you insane. He was intoxicating.
“Well,” she picked up her glass and bottle of wine. “It’s not like I flew halfway across the world to see you. I’m going to retire. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, love,” Miles said, not bothering to argue with her.
She waited for him to stop her and when he didn’t, she dramatically swept up the stairs.
“Don’t mind her,” Molly told me, “she’s a bit off her trolley now. She’s never dealt well with disappointment.”
“Or competition,” Oscar purred.