Chapter 33
GETTING STARTED
Milo
Eliana
I’m going to be in Richard’s office for a while in the morning, but could we meet for lunch after to talk?
Milo
Of course. The diner?
Eliana
That works. 11?
Milo
I’ll be there.
Milo checked the time on his phone, ten till eleven, and then resumed his pacing outside the lawyer’s office.
He’d pushed too fucking hard the day before.
He knew she only asked to meet so that she could quit, and he couldn’t fault her for it.
He’d spent most of the night prior and all of that morning thinking through the options.
Making a list of potential employers from his network that could offer a similar, or better, role for Eliana.
Anger gripped him for a moment, and he paused in place, furious with himself over his reaction. He was supposed to be patient and supportive. Not take a bad situation and blow it completely out of proportion, essentially laying an ultimatum at her feet.
Milo grunted, turning away from the office to continue his pacing. He rolled his shoulders when the tag scratched at him. He hated this damn shirt. But Eliana had told him it went well with his eyes once, and he’d take any possible advantage he could get that morning.
He was wondering if maybe the appointment was canceled, or moved, once eleven rolled around and Eliana didn’t appear—but then the door opened, and Jesse walked out. Both sides of his face were bruised, making Milo’s brows rise. Who got the other side?
Jesse’s footsteps faltered for a moment when he caught sight of Milo, but then he hurried up the sidewalk, not bothering to look back.
A few moments later, Eliana emerged. She was wearing a simple, nondescript pair of blue jeans and a faded black hoodie.
Her hair was pulled up into a bun, and he didn’t think she had a stitch of makeup on, but the pale sun shone bright upon her face, and the soft smile that turned her lips when she spotted him made him feel like maybe things weren’t quite as bad as he’d imagined.
How could they be when she was looking at him like that?
“You didn’t have to meet me here. It’s just a block away.”
Milo shrugged. “It was no issue. It’s just a block away.”
“Touché.” Eliana laughed.
The silence that fell between them as they walked, normally comfortable, felt loud, almost tangible . . . and it grew until Milo simply couldn’t take it any longer.
“I’m sorry,” Milo blurted, the words exploding in an avalanche of word vomit.
“I never should have pushed you like that yesterday. You had so much to deal with, and I was supposed to be there to support you. I was supposed to be your friend, and I just went and blew up and made a huge scene like the worst kind of dick.”
“Milo–”
“And then unloading all of my feelings on you, that was completely uncalled for. I know I probably scared the hell out of you, which is totally fair. But you can just forget I said anything if you want. I knew it wasn’t the right time.
I had this whole plan for New Year’s, but–” He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter.”
“Milo–”
“But I want to make sure you know that I am so proud of you, Eliana. I know I didn’t show it well yesterday, but you’ve taken some huge steps, and it wasn’t right of me to tell you how you should handle things. And I’m sure that when you do tell him–”
“Milo!” Eliana jerked him to a stop, laughter in her voice. “Take a breath. I’ve already told him.”
Milo blinked. “You did?”
“Did he not come out of the building before me? What did you think he was doing there?”
“I—” Milo frowned. “I didn’t think . . .” He glanced down at her, hope filling his chest. “You really told him?”
“We just signed the divorce papers.” Eliana bit her lip against the smile that rose, drawing his gaze down.
He shook his head, forcing his mind back to the issue at hand as he looked around at their surroundings and realized they now stood outside the diner where she’d wanted to talk. About quitting.
“That’s amazing, Bugs. I’m so happy for you.” He sighed. “And I think I know why you asked to meet with me. I want you to know there are no hard feelings. I’ll still help you however you need. And I’ve got some feelers out–”
“Milo, what are you talking about now?”
“Getting you a new job, of course,” Milo answered.
“I wouldn’t want to be stuck with me either after I went and made a fool of myself yesterday, telling you about how obsessed I am,” he sighed, cringing at his own choice of words, even if they were true.
“But I’ll make sure your next employer is even better.
I want you to be comfortable with whoever it is.
And I think there’s one out in East Brook–”
“Milo,” Eliana interrupted, reaching up to grip the lapels of his jacket and pull him down. He bent immediately at her bidding, but then froze at the touch of her lips to his own. They were soft and sweet and tasted like beeswax lip balm.
“You talk a lot when you’re nervous,” Eliana whispered when she pulled back, smoothing his jacket.
Milo hummed in answer, opting to keep his mouth shut for once.
He wasn’t someone known for being particularly verbose.
It seemed a trait only Eliana knew how to draw out.
The need to make sure she understood. That there was no misunderstanding.
Nothing that could leave her thinking he wanted anything other than the best for her—even at his own expense.
“I don’t want a new job,” she continued, interrupting his momentary reverie. “I’d rather keep mine if it’s still available.”
Milo nodded quickly. It would always be available.
Eliana’s answering grin was brilliant, full of joy and hope and promise.
“I think I’ve finally figured out my ending, Milo,” she said, her tone one of wonder as she held his gaze.
“Nah, Bugs.” Milo shook his head, feeling dazed. “You’re just getting started.”