Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
QUINN
I don’t always get my way.
Screw him.
Gah. He barely even let me speak.
He’s a dick.
A giant dick.
I’m no stranger to mean people or rude comments. My follower count is evidence of that. People aren’t scared to express their feelings online, and I’ve received more horrid comments about my pictures, my life, my clothes, and my body than I care to admit.
But to my face, that’s a different story.
To say I always get my way … that one just hurts.
If I had my way, I’d … I’d … I don’t even know.
I hug my laptop closer to my chest and head into B’s Bakery for a late afternoon coffee and a snack. As soon as I left Miles’s shop, I went back to my brother’s, where he, Natalie, and both babies were sleeping in the living room. I quietly grabbed my computer and came here .
I find a table by the front window next to the door. Daisy is working now, and she’s kind but not chatty.
Right now, I’m okay with that.
I open my Mac and touch the finger pad to wake it up.
My social media pops up right away to where I left off the last time.
I’ve been traveling for more than ten years, and I’ve had this account for just as long. But I’ll be honest: it just doesn’t hold the spark it once did for me.
I still love traveling. Don’t mistake that part, but something is missing.
Society tells me that it’s because everyone around me is either meeting someone, engaged, getting married, or having babies and that I need that, too.
But I’m not so convinced. At the same time, I have no idea what’s missing.
Am I lonely? Am I bored? Am I just being picky? Am I overthinking?
I stare at the photo on the screen.
It’s me, with London Bridge in the background. I’m smiling, but the longer I stare at it, the more I think … is that even my real smile?
Ugh.
Miles did this. He got in my head, and now I’m sitting here letting my mind run wild.
The door to the bakery’s kitchen opens, and Sadie steps out with Hudson.
She might not own this place anymore, but she is here enough to make everyone wonder.
“I’m just saying. There has to be a way for him to get the message through that he isn’t interested in her.”
“She’s clueless,” Hudson says, placing his hand on Sadie’s lower back as they walk toward the front door of the bakery .
“Hi, Quinn.” Sadie smiles and pauses at my table. “I’m sorry that Miles didn’t go for the rental thing with the apartment.”
That was like a half hour ago.
That’s small-town life for you. News always travels quickly.
“It’s fine.” I wave my hand in front of my face and then close my computer. “I’ll be fine at my brother's. Just expect to see me multiple times a day for coffee.”
Oh god, is this what I’m going to do every single day of the summer?
Come to the coffee shop?
“Is everything okay?” Sadie asks. “You looked like you zoned out there for a moment.”
“I’m good,” I say with my best smile.
Sadie’s bottom lip sticks out. “I wish I knew the answer for whatever you need, too.”
“Me too?” I ask. “Who else needs help?”
Maybe if I can hear about someone else’s problems, I can focus on that instead of my own life.
“Miles,” she answers quickly.
“He’ll be fine, Sadie,” Hudson says, rubbing her back.
“No, he won’t. We aren’t going to see him all summer if Cherry keeps this up. He’ll hide in his shop every single day.”
The image of Miles behind the front of that car comes to mind.
“Who’s Cherry?”
“This girl who is obsessed with Miles. No matter how many times he turns her down, she seems to think she still has a chance. Heck, Hudson, do we need to find him a girlfriend? Maybe if Cherry sees him with someone, she will back off.”
“Miles isn’t exactly the dating type. Besides, if we help him do anything, it's find him some office help. He won’t admit it, but he’s behind.” His phone rings. “Shoot, I need to take this call,” Hudson says as he walks out the door .
Like before, Sadie sticks her bottom lip out.
Maybe if I offer to help Miles with his office stuff, he’ll be more open to renting me the apartment.
I’m two seconds away from asking Sadie more about what Miles needs when the door to the bakery opens, and my heart basically thumps its way into my throat.
“Oh my gosh, this place is adorable.”
“How cute is this?”
“Fuck, this place smells good.”
Sadie steps back as Andy, Sully, and Ashley spill into B’s Bakery.
I’m half tempted to slap myself.
Is this real?
“Quinny!” Andy yells as soon as she spots me. “I was hoping I’d run into you.”
I stand slowly as she comes around the table to hug me.
It’s real. It’s very real.
The shock continues to settle in.
“This town is just as cute as you described it. When Sully and I were looking up venues for the wedding and found Lovers Lodge, I knew it was meant to be.”
“And then we talked about how much you love this place, and we knew you wouldn't ever steer someone wrong, so here we are,” Ashley says, now standing next to Andy. “For the summer.”
“The summer,” I repeat, finally finding my words.
“Yep. This will be one of our best vacations yet.” Sully grins and then rests his arm around Andy’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,”—Sadie waves a hand—“I’m heading out. I wish there was more I could do to help you. Do you want me to talk to Miles? Maybe that will help.”
“Miles?” Ashley jumps into the conversation. “ The Miles?”
Oh my god. Kill me. Kill me now .
“Your boyfriend lives here? In Lovers.” Andy is grinning. “And you know him?” she asks Sadie.
“I … yes,” she responds.
I want to crawl into a hole and disappear.
“Well, don’t let me keep you, Sadie,” I say and rush around the table, hug her, and walk her to the door, where I whisper, “Please pretend you didn’t hear that. I’ll tell you about it later.”
She nods and waves goodbye. Hudson is outside waiting for her.
“This is great. We can all hang out, and Quinny won’t be the odd wheel anymore. And we have the entire summer. Oh, I’m so excited.” Andy beams.
Please, someone put me out of my misery. Please.
“When can we meet him?” Sully asks. “You know my brother is going to be devastated when I tell him that Miles lives here. I think he was hoping to rekindle what you had a couple of summers ago.”
Oh hell, this just keeps getting worse.
“Well, you know,” I start and then begin to collect my things so I can leave this situation immediately. “He works a lot, so I’m not sure that he will have a lot of extra time.”
“So when do you see him?”
“Me?”
“Yeah. If he works so much,” Ashley asks.
“Well, I mean, he makes time for me.”
“Oh, that’s good.”
“I’m actually off to see him now, but you can all text or message me or whatever, and we can plan something, but I really have to be going. So happy to see you.” I dash out the door.
Before I can change my mind, I walk briskly toward Restore and Repair.
I have no idea what I’m going to say or do, but I know there will be begging. Lots of it .
I could turn around right now and tell them we broke up, but they are here for the whole summer. One of them is bound to run into Miles or Luca or even Hudson, and people talk. They’d eventually find out I lied.
I lied about being in a relationship.
How sad is that?
Not as sad as what I’m about to do.
As soon as I reach the shop, I see a redhead hovering outside the three garage doors.
Is this Cherry? I don’t want to be judgmental because I hate that, but honestly, it would make sense with her bright red hair.
I slow my steps. She seems fidgety as she rises and lowers from the tips of her toes to her heels, peeking into the shop as if she were looking for someone.
If she can’t find him, then he must not be there.
Unless …
I reroute my steps and head to the side of the building. Then I help myself to the back door and walk in as if I own the place. As soon as I crack the door from the back office to the garage, I see him sitting in the corner on the floor behind one of the cars.
Each shoulder touches a wall, his legs criss-crossed in front of him and his computer on his lap. I glance out the big doors; Cherry is still lurking.
This is it. This is how I’ll convince him to rent to me. We both need this.
Slowly, because I’m unsure what Cherry can and can’t see inside the shop, I crouch to Miles's level. I open the door just a sliver more so he can see me. There is no way I can open the door entirely without drawing her attention, though, so I’ll have to talk with him from here.
“Miles,” I whisper rather loudly.
He startles, his hands doing this weird shake that causes them to hit his computer screen. He barely catches it before it falls off his lap.
For the first time in my life, I understand exactly what the phrase "if looks could kill" means.
I try not to smile at his glare.
“What the hell are you doing?” he whispers back.
“Well, I came to talk to you about the apartment.”
“Jesus. Can nobody take a hint? I said no, Quinn. I do not have time for this.”
I nod slowly. I hear him. I should probably just apologize and leave, because it’s clear he doesn’t want to talk to me. However, if he had to pick between me and Cherry, I think maybe I stand a chance at being his first choice.
Maybe.
I think.
“I know, but I have an idea that helps you.”
“For fuck’s sake,” he mumbles and goes back to his computer.
“I see you’re working hard, but I imagine you’d like to get back to the hands-on stuff.”
He ignores me.
“And I have the feeling that you’re only doing the computer side of the business right now because of the redhead standing outside the doors.”
Still, he won’t look up, but he does close his eyes and take a deep breath.
“I can make her go away.”
His attention snaps to me. His eyes narrow like always, but instead of asking me for more information, he just goes back to whatever is on his screen.
“For the entire summer.”
I see the moment his jaw clenches from grinding his teeth. Like before, he closes his eyes for a split moment before locking them on mine.
I’ve never noticed how blue they are until right now.
Miles has really pretty eyes. They remind me of the ocean.
“I’m going to regret asking this, but how?”
“First, I need you to agree that if my plan is good, I get to rent the apartment for the next eight weeks.”
“No.”
“Fine. Enjoy your summer with Cherry.” I start to stand.
“Wait,” he whispers-shouts. “Fuck. Fine. This better be good.”
“It’s great. You tell her I’m your girlfriend.”
He snorts. “Yeah, sure, and poof, she’s gone, huh?”
I nod.
“If me telling her that I’m not interested isn’t going to work, what makes you think she’s going to believe we are suddenly dating and accept it?”
“We won’t know for sure until we find out.”
“I’d rather take my chances doing anything else. No thanks.”
“Oh my god, do you ever just stop and listen to anyone?”
“Yeah. Plenty of times.”
“When?”
He smirks
“In bed.”
I blink once, twice, but I can’t think of anything and now my mind is trying to imagine him in?—
“You’re trying to picture it, aren’t you?”
“No,” I defend myself. “No.”
I totally was. I mean, come on, he’s a mechanic. Forget his listening skills; one would have to assume he’s good with his hands, right?
He chuckles, and the sound practically tickles my skin, causing goose bumps to cover my body .
“Too bad. Sounds like something you’d like to see. Anyway, like I said, I’ll take my chances doing something else.”
I don’t have that same mindset, and even though I’m confused on how to feel about everything he just said, I’m not willing to take the chance of him saying no. I need this right now, and if I can get it without having to tell him all the details of why I need him to agree, I’m taking it.
“Looks like that’s been working out super well for you,” I snap, changing the subject “Do most mechanics sit on the floor when they work?”
“As a matter of fact, we do spend time down here.”
“Hiding?”
“I’m not hiding.”
“You’re definitely hiding.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Fine. Then stop whispering.”
“Hell, you’re annoying.”
“And you’re infuriating, but we must move on.”
“I’m not fake dating you, Quinn.”
“If I can get her to leave in less than five minutes, we will fake a date and you’ll rent to me.”
“Holy fuck, you’re relentless.”
“I’m desperate, Miles.” In so, so many ways. “I’m physically sitting on the floor of an office, asking the man who despises me more than anything in the world to pretend to date me just so I can rent an apartment. Please, Miles.”
I swear his face wrinkles in pain.
“Please.”
“Five minutes, but that’s it.”
I barely let him finish before I scoot back and head back out the way I came in.
I’m not messing up this chance by waiting a moment longer. I need this more than he does .
Shit, maybe I am a little selfish.
I step outside, take a glance to my right at the door that leads to the apartment, and then I round the building to the front. I adjust my purse, then I step into Cherry’s view.
“Oh, hi,” I say and stop. “Can I help you?”
She shakes her head.
“Nope. I’m just waiting for Miles to get back.”
“Oh, let me go find him for you.”
“He doesn’t like people walking into his shop if he doesn’t know they are here.” Cherry jumps in front of me. “And I was here first.”
I give her my best smile and shake my head. “That is so Miles. I don’t think he’ll be upset if it’s me, though. It would be silly for him to be upset with his girlfriend for showing up to see him.”
I try to move past her, but she stops me again.
“His what?”
“His girlfriend.” I offer her my hand. “Hi, I’m Quinn Banks.”
Her eyes widen, and then she stumbles back like I hit her.
“I didn’t know he was seeing someone. Weirdly, he never mentioned it, but I have heard your name before.”
“Oh, well, he’s pretty private,” I say, ignoring how she might know me. “Do you want me to tell him you stopped by?”
“Um, no. That’s okay.”
Yet she doesn’t leave. I fight the urge to look at my phone. Not that I’ll know if it's been five minutes or not. I didn’t look when I left the office.
I open my mouth to ask her if she’s all right because, honestly, I can see by the way her shoulders drop that this is not what she wants to hear, but she finally storms away from the shop.
A part of me feels a little bad, but a bigger part of me is relieved as I return to find Miles .
“She’s gone.”
Miles stands slowly.
He lets out a deep breath.
“That took six minutes.”
“Oh my god, are you being serious? I saved your butt just now. She would have stayed all night.”
“I know.” He shrugs off his plaid jacket, leaving himself in just a white T-shirt that reveals his thick and sculpted arms. He runs a hand through his thick brown hair and sighs. Then he grabs a rag from the toolbox in the corner, folds it, and tucks it into the back pocket of his blue jeans before leaning into the hood of a vehicle.
He’s not going to give me the apartment or fake date me. I’m going to look like a fool. Which serves me right, but a little compassion right now would be nice.
I could argue or stomp my foot like a child, but it's clear that nothing will work.
I turn just as he says. “How do we convince the rest of the town?”
“What?”
He stands taller and crosses his arms. “People are aware of the way you and I normally interact. They won't buy it if we start showing up all touchy and shit.”
He’s right.
“I didn’t think that far ahead,” I admit.
“We’ve never gotten along,” he says as a fact.
“I know.”
“But then I let you rent the apartment behind my shop.”
My face lights up.
“And the more times we saw each other—” he says.
“—the more we developed an affection for the other,” I finish for him. “It also helps that you’ve been slowly hitting on me for years and now you hired me to get caught up on your books and whatever.”
“Jesus, now I have to hire you, too? What else do you want, the pin number to my bank accounts?”
I cross my arms and smile. “I have my own money, but thank you for asking.”
He rolls his eyes.
“Come on, Miles. You need the help, and I have time to spare for the next eight weeks. After that, I’m gone and out of your hair—office and apartment. I’ll even let you be the one to break us up.”
He takes a deep breath.
Please say yes. Please. Please.
“It’ll have to work for now, but we don't tell anyone the truth, got it? Luca is my best friend, but Hudson and I didn’t call him Loose Lips Luca for no reason growing up. And we only do this until I can think of a better way to get through to Cherry.”
I can’t help but smile.
I didn’t have to get him into bed for him to listen long enough to agree.
This also might be the first time Miles has ever told me anything about his actual life.
So it’s probably not the best time to tell him that, after what she’s heard, Sadie will definitely know this isn’t real.
“Okay, that’s a smart idea,” I reply anyway. “Have you done this before?”
Miles gives me a look that screams are you fucking kidding me right now ?
“Yeah, Quinn, I fake date women all the time. Last month, I fake dated this girl who wanted new tires.”
I cross my arms and glare at him.
Oh my, that’s some thick sarcasm. Well, it’s like sarcasm mixed with a joke. Maybe .
Does Miles know how to be funny?
“Please don’t be a dick,” I settle with.
“Don’t ask stupid questions.”
“Are we going to be able to do this? We can’t even have a conversation without fighting.”
“No, we can’t, but as much as I don’t want to admit it”—he blows out a breath—“I think this might work to get Cherry to back off for good, so we need to figure it out.”
“We could start by you showing me the apartment.”
He yanks the towel from his back pocket and tosses it onto the counter in front of him.
“If this allows me to finally return to work in peace, let’s do it.”
He passes by me, and I think it’s the first time he isn’t scowling at me.
I follow him out the back and to the apartment door.
“I usually get to work around five, so don’t be alarmed if you hear me early in the morning. The shop door can get sticky in the top corner and makes a popping noise. I’ll fix it by the end of the summer.”
“Okay.”
He unlocks the door then peels the key off the key ring he’d grabbed on the way out the shop.
“I don’t have a spare, so don’t lose this.”
“Got it.”
Finally, he steps inside, and there is no hiding the shock on my face.
The space is bright thanks to white walls, trim, and open windows. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are all one big room. The bedroom is straight back to the right, and the bathroom next to it. The entire apartment is fully furnished with soft blues and yellows, and even though it’s small, it’s absolutely perfect .
Miles moves to the other side of the living room and pulls back a curtain.
I almost gasp at the sliding door to a deck just big enough for the table, two chairs, and a porch swing that matches the one at his house. There isn’t a railing, but there are exactly three steps that lead down to the grass. Directly across from the deck is Mile’s front porch. And behind his house is Lovers Lake with a backdrop of the mountain.
“Wow,” I say. I already knew I loved his house, but now I’ll see it every morning when I wake up, along with the view behind it.
He grips the back of his neck. “We built it like this so my dad could easily walk to my place without going around the entire shop. Not in a creepy way for me to watch whoever lives here.”
“It’s beautiful, Miles. Thank you.”
He nods and starts to leave.
“Wait, did we establish that I’m working for you, too? Or rent? What do you need me to sign?”
He lets out another breath, and I’m starting to catch on to the fact that he does this as he thinks over his next words.
“This is Lovers, Quinn. I said I’m going to rent to you for the next eight weeks, and I’ll keep my word. We don’t need a contract. Rent is free because you’ll be working for me. Do you even know how to do anything in an office?”
“I do. Do you want me to send you a resumé?” I swing my bag around and begin to open it to pull out my computer. “I just need to hook my laptop up to your printer. Can it go wireless?”
His left brow peaks as he stares at me.
“Do you have a printer?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“Okay, can I?—”
“The job starts tomorrow at seven. Do not be late.”
“Thank you! ”
I move to hug him, my arms up and slowly opening, but he sidesteps so quickly that I stumble.
He grabs my arm to steady me.
“You’re welcome,” he says quickly and walks right out the door.
Miles Asher. Not a hugger. Got it.
But he is my new boss and my new boyfriend.
The smile on my lips starts to fade as that statement settles in my mind and relief floods my body.
But of course, then reality sets in.
Oh, crap.
I’m going to need some luck.
A lot of it.