Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
OLIVIA
I ’m a big, fat chicken. So much of a chicken, in fact, that I can’t even bring myself to face him. Whoever came up with the phrase out of sight, out of mind , clearly has never met a man like Miles.
I’ve replayed that night so many times in my head, hoping to find something…
anything…that will diminish what I felt that night, and make it easier to let go of what I’m feeling.
The last thing I want is to make the same mistake again and go all in with my heart only to realize I can easily be replaced when the next shiny toy comes along.
Tapping my pen against my desk, I watch Bee from the window play in her sandbox as I try to sneak in some work.
I knew right away that this space would make a perfect office for me.
It’s a small room off the kitchen and the perfect size for what I use it for.
The windows overlooking the backyard come in handy so I can keep an eye on her when she’s playing in the backyard.
Sighing, I try to push all thoughts of Miles out of my head so I can get these orders done. I’m thirty minutes into finalizing a wine list for one of my clients when my phone rings. I see my boss, John’s, face light up on the screen. Smiling, I swipe to answer it.
“Hi John, how’s Chicago?” I sit back in my chair and watch Bee dump a bucket of sand out before she starts to fill it again.
“Busy,” he chuckles. “How’s Florida?”
“Paradise every day,” I laugh. “We just got back from a walk on the beach.”
“So Bee’s loving it, I take it?”
“She is,” I smile. “I’m so glad I took this position.”
“I am, too. This will be good for both of you.” I hear papers rustling, and can picture him at his big desk in his corner office overlooking downtown Chicago.
“So, I was calling to see if you would be up for a little road trip. A friend of mine just told me about this winery opening about four hours north of you, and I was hoping to have you out there on opening day.”
“When is it?” I sit up and reach for my calendar.
“Well, that's the catch,” he laughs. “It’s this Wednesday. I know it’s short notice, but from what I’ve heard, this couple owns several wineries, and it could be a very big account for you if you can snag it, which I have no doubt that you can do.”
“As in two days from now?” I sit up and scan my calendar, already knowing what I’m going to find.
I’m supposed to go over the wine inventory with Miles that day.
This could be my out, though. I already told him it wasn’t necessary to do it in person, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer, and I finally caved.
“I’m free, so that should work. Send me over the details, and I’ll be in touch with them.”
“Perfect. It should be fun. They are having a band, and of course, taste-testing the wine is always fun,” he laughs. “Let me know what you think, and we can hopefully start adding them to our buyers’ list.”
“Sounds good. You know I’ll make it happen,” I grin, already feeling excited about the potential of meeting this couple and finding out more about them.
We talk for a few more minutes about work and his family before we say our goodbyes.
It might be fun to get away for the day.
I might even try to leave early so I can spend some time at the beach before the event starts.
I can’t remember the last time I was able to sit in a chair and read a book without any interruptions and nothing to do but work on my tan.
Taking a deep breath, I type out a text to Miles.
Olivia
I have to cancel on Wednesday. Something came up with work, and I need to take a little road trip up North.
It doesn’t take long before I see him typing back. My pen nervously taps against my lips as I read the message.
Miles
Where are you headed?
Olivia
Harbor Shores. There is a winery opening up there that my boss wants me to check out. I’ll make sure to stop by before you open and check the wine setup and display. It shouldn’t take long since we’ve already gone over every little detail together.
Miles
A road trip sounds fun. I could use a break. Now that I own a bar and serve wine, it will be good for business to meet the local wineries.
I stare at the phone, stunned. This was not what was supposed to happen. I can’t spend the whole day with him.
Alone.
In a car.
Olivia
That’s really not necessary.
I type out frantically.
Olivia
I will be working, and you’ll be bored out of your mind. Plus, the opening is just around the corner. I’m sure you have a ton of work that needs to be done.
Miles
If I didn’t know any better, I would say you are avoiding me.
That’s an understatement of the year. I’ve even resorted to emails instead of texting because it feels too personal with him. It always turns to flirting, and flirting with Miles is a one-way ticket to repeating that night, which can’t happen again.
Ever.
Olivia
I’m not avoiding you. I’ve just been busy with work.
Miles
Then prove it. Let me come with you. I’ll even drive the whole way, and you can sit there and be my passenger princess. I really could use a day away. You would be doing me a favor, and like I said, I really should meet some of the wineries around the area.
Miles
Besides, I’m friend-zoned, remember? Friends take road trips all the time.
My lips quirk as I read the texts. I can’t believe I’m even thinking of agreeing to this. Maybe it will be a good test to see how we are as friends and get that very deep, very noticeable line drawn in the sand. I can’t avoid him forever since we work together now.
Olivia
Fine. You can come. When I have the details, I’ll text you the time, and I’ll pick you up on my way.
Why the hell can’t I say no to him?
I know he’s got a big ass grin on his face because he won.
Miles
Perfect. I’ll bring the road trip snacks.
Olivia
I like gummy bears and beef jerky.
Olivia
And bring some trail mix, too.
If he’s going to come, he might as well make himself useful.
Miles
I think I just fell in love with you.
Olivia
Not funny.
Miles
It wasn’t supposed to be. See you on Wednesday. ;)
God, what have I gotten myself into? I just turned an hour meeting that I was avoiding into a whole damn day event.
I guess the beach will have to wait another day because we are headed straight to the event and then straight home.
No passing Go and no collecting two hundred dollars.
The less time we spend together, the better.
It’s easier to resist temptation when it’s not staring you in the face.
Gripping the steering wheel, I pull into the driveway of the blue beach house on Wednesday morning.
Memories of that night come rushing in as I stare at the garage door, where I know his shiny black bike is behind.
I can still remember the feel of the vibration between my legs and the feel of his body pressed to mine as I wrapped around him tightly.
A knock on my window has me jumping in my seat and clutching my heart.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I say, opening the driver’s door. Miles is chuckling as he goes to the back of the jeep to put his clothes in. We both brought an outfit to change into when we get there, so we could wear comfortable clothes for the drive.
“I wasn’t trying to,” he laughs. “I thought you would see me walk down the front porch.” He shuts the back of the jeep and opens the passenger door. “For my passenger princess,” he grins and waves his arm toward the seat.
Walking over to the side, I try to hide my smile as I climb in.
He hands me a bag full of snacks, and I peer inside.
He’s got all my favorites and even added some other things that I love.
I can’t help the stomach flutters that appear.
Shutting my door, I follow his movements as he walks over to the driver’s side and gets in.
“Did I do good?” He asks, nodding toward the snacks on my lap.
“I even packed a small cooler with bottled water and some protein smoothies.” He opens the small black bag he’s carrying and pulls out two waters, setting them in the cup holders before reaching back and putting the cooler on the floorboard behind me.
“You did good,” I smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he grins, pulling out of the driveway as our road trip officially begins. We head out of town and make small talk about his opening coming up and what he has left to do.
I can’t help but sneak glances at him when his eyes are fixed on the road.
He’s got a light scruff going today, and his dark hair is tucked away in a black ball cap with his bar name on the front.
It’s still long enough to curl and stick out at the bottom.
I remember how soft it was, and I find myself wanting to reach out and run my fingers through it again.
“Did you hear what I said?” He asks, glancing at me with an amused look on his face.
“That’s the second time you’ve spaced out on me and gone into that beautiful head of yours.
Want to tell me what you were thinking about when you first pulled up, or what’s on your mind so much now that you are tuning me out? ”
I feel my face get warm and quickly turn my head. “It’s nothing. Just going over what I need to discuss today at the winery,” I say, lying through my teeth.
“Usually, work doesn’t make people blush.” His grey eyes sparkle with laughter, and I dismiss it with an eye roll.
“Don’t flatter yourself. It’s a furnace outside, and I’m wearing black leggings. I just got hot, is all.” I adjust the vents to prove my nonexistent point.
I hear him chuckle softly as his eyes return to the road.
Digging into the bag, I busy myself with something to do. Taking out the gummies, I hold up the bag.
“These are worms, not bears.”
“I like the worms better. They are bigger,” he grins. “Does it matter? It tastes the same.”
“But the bears are cute,” I mumble, opening the bag and pulling out a red and yellow worm .