10. Ellie
ELLIE
Me: Is this Miles?
Annoying Neighbor: Sure is and who is this?
Me: It’s Ellie, your annoyed neighbor
Annoying Neighbor: lol glad to see you got my note. I was starting to worry you weren’t going to respond.
Me: This is very new, and I could stop replying at any point.
Annoying Neighbor: Fair… do tell me, while I still have your attention Ellie, do you prefer coffee or tea?
Me: Already trying to get to know me? I do like a go-getter… coffee for sure
Annoying Neighbor: Determination is my middle name
I’d texted Miles after he left that note on my truck with his number scribbled in loopy handwriting at the bottom.
He intrigued me. He was the kind of man who trimmed his beard regularly and probably separated his laundry into whites and colors. I wasn’t used to it, but maybe it was something I could be into.
I was used to guys with grease under their nails and dirt on their boots. Men who showed up rough around the edges, a little reckless and chaotic. But Miles? He was something entirely different.
We spent the entire night texting. We talked about everything from favorite movie quotes to what we believed actually lived in the ocean’s deepest trenches.
It was fun.
It was easy.
And it was the first time since coming back to Faircloud that something felt light.
Today, I was working the morning shift at Petal Pusher. Sandy was coming in later to cover the rest of the day so I could finish packing for the big move into my apartment this weekend. I was nowhere near ready—too many boxes left unpacked, not enough hours in the day.
Logan stopping by last night to help had been sweet.
Did he understand my wardrobe chaos? Not even close. But he was kind, steady, and surprisingly patient. And maybe it was my imagination, but I noticed the way his eyes lingered a little longer, which felt strange.
When his fingers brushed my skin while fixing the straps of my dress, a spark zipped up my spine.
He’d seen me in every state imaginable over the years. But never had I felt that jolt—that pulse of electricity between us—until last night.
I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about that spark after he left. I wondered what it meant, if I was imagining things with Logan.
He has been my best friend since I was eight.
I didn’t want to overthink it, but the thought of it being real brought on a sensation of comfort.
The shop door chimed, snapping me out of my thoughts.
Miles walked in.
He crossed the threshold carrying two coffee cups—one in each hand—and an easy grin on his face.
I set down the clipboard I was holding and smirked at him. “You need an extra pick-me-up today?”
And wow. His hands? They were huge.
“After staying up all night talking to you?” he said, stepping forward. “I figured you’d need the caffeine too.”
He offered me the cup, his fingers grazing mine as I took it—no spark.
“Well, wasn’t that nice of you,” I said, lifting the lid slightly and blowing.
One sip and I smiled. My favorite—exactly how I liked it. One of the many things we’d discussed last night, and he’d remembered.
“This is perfect, thank you.”
“When I ordered it, the barista asked if it was for you.” Miles leaned his hip casually against the counter.
I laughed. “Small town perks.”
“That, and the fact only one person in this whole ZIP code gets a blueberry coffee with cream and a shot of vanilla bean.” He grinned over the rim of his cup, that smug expression dancing in his eyes.
“You say that like it’s crazy,” I replied, raising a brow. “Don’t knock it till you try it.”
“Well,” he said, grin deepening, “crazy does suit you.”
His tone was playful, the sparkle in his eyes suggesting he was teasing—but my stomach twisted anyway.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, folding my arms tightly over my chest, hip cocked with a bit more bite than I intended.
Miles straightened, clearing his throat. His response came fast, words rushing to correct. “I was just messing around. You know, like when you stormed into my restaurant like a bat out of hell? I swear the ground shook beneath your boots.”
“It was valid,” I shot back, defending myself before I could think better of it.
Anyone who had to listen to hammering and banging all day would act crazy too.
“Ellie,” he said more gently now, stepping forward. His voice softened. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was just trying to joke, I swear.” He reached for my hands, wrapping his fingers around mine.
I exhaled slowly, letting my eyes fall closed.
Maybe I was overreacting. I was so accustomed to assuming the worst, that people were constantly judging. But Miles wasn’t from here.
I laughed it off, brushing it away as I picked up my coffee and took another sip.
Miles studied me, those smoky eyes full of something unreadable. He stepped back a little, his body relaxing when he saw I wasn’t mad anymore.
“I gotta admit,” I murmured, fighting a grin. “It was kind of funny.”
Relief broke across his face. “Good.”
He leaned forward, forearms resting on the counter. “So, what’s on Ellie Cassidy’s agenda today?”
I held up the clipboard and gave it a little wave. “Well, I’ve got a stack of flower orders to finish, but only for half the day. Sandy’s covering the rest.”
“Oh?” he asked, curiosity lacing his tone. “Taking a half day for something fun?”
“I wish,” I replied. “I’m moving into the apartment above the shop this weekend, and I’m embarrassingly behind on packing.”
He nodded, then asked, “Need an extra pair of hands?”
It was sweet. Truly. His offer made my heart tug a little. But the truth was, the space upstairs wasn’t huge. I already had Logan’s rather large frame and larger muscles helping, and having them both in the apartment may be a little claustrophobic.
Waving a hand, I shook my head. “Thanks, but I think I’m good. My friend Logan’s helping, and he’s got more than enough muscle.”
I laughed softly at the image of Logan carrying boxes two at a time, but when I glanced back at Miles, he hadn’t moved. The coffee cup stilled in his hand, and the easy atmosphere shifted into something tense and a bit awkward.
I couldn’t put my finger on why.
Then, he offered a smile, gracious and kind. “Well, if anything changes… you know where to find me.”
I nodded, trying to ease the moment. “What about you? Big plans today?”
He told me about a contractor waiting for him at the restaurant—nothing too exciting, but it was enough to melt the weirdness between us. We talked for a few more minutes until he glanced toward the door.
“I should go,” he said. “But before I do…”
He paused, shifting his weight. His eyes found mine again, and something in them made my breath catch.
“How would you feel about going out with me?”
I blinked, taken aback. “As in?”
His grin was slow, charming. “A date, Ellie.”
“A date?” The words spilled from my lips before the filter could catch them.
He laughed. “Yes. I’d like to take you out. To the city. Just the two of us.”
My mind raced, sifting through hesitation, nerves, and the nagging voice of public opinion.
This all sounded good in theory, talk to and get to know the city guy for fun, to explore and see what life had to offer. But now that he’d actually asked me out?
Anxiety was flooding through my veins.
I thought about what would be said, that people would think I’d moved on too fast from the whole Buck thing, but it’d been so long.
There had been plenty of time to grieve that relationship and start exploring something new.
To hell with what anyone thought.
“Yes,” I said, more certain than I expected. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”
Miles’s smile was electric. “Perfect. I’ve got just the place in mind. I’ll text you the details.”
He turned to leave, pausing and glancing over his shoulder. “Oh, and wear something fancy.”
Fancy? Oh, God…
A whole new wave of panic set in. I wasn’t the fancy type. I was the worn boots, dirty jeans, and wild hair type.
The bell above the door chimed softly as he exited.
I stared at the spot where he’d stood, heart fluttering, coffee forgotten. Then I bit my lip, leaning back against the counter and letting the moment wash over me.
I could do this.
A date wasn’t a commitment. It was a chance.
Miles was different and maybe… just maybe, different was exactly what I needed.