Chapter 10 #2
“Oh, she told you, and we all agreed. And she was right. Who's to say Nora isn’t? No one likes big developers coming around and cutting down all the trees; that’s not anything new. I’m just asking for there to be a consideration about how many trees we remove.”
For a moment, neither said a word.
“This thing with Nora,” Walker began. “Is it serious?”
“It could be.” And without overthinking it, he added, “I want it to be.”
“I thought the two of you couldn’t stand each other. I seem to remember Slater trying to keep you two apart at one point.”
“There were multiple misunderstandings. Once we had an actual conversation, we realized that there was something there.”
“You two don’t strike me as having anything in common,” Walker said with a laugh, and for some reason, it rubbed Milo the wrong way.
“What the hell difference does it make to you? It didn’t look like you and Harlow had anything in common, but that didn’t stop you from falling for each other. And look at Axel and Maisie! On paper, they don’t make sense, and yet they’re in love!”
“Milo…”
“No, so…I’m the only one who’s not allowed to have someone fall for me unless she’s a computer nerd like I am? Is that what you’re saying?”
“That is not what I’m saying. All I meant was…”
“I am so tired of everyone judging me and thinking that only a certain type of woman would be attracted to me. If she were a librarian, you never would have said a damn word. But because she’s outdoorsy and vivacious, something’s not right.” He huffed with annoyance. “Well…screw you, Walker.”
And with that, he stood up and stormed out of the office, only to realize it was his office.
Turning around, he stormed right back in.
“This is my office. You leave.”
But as he sat down, he noticed that Walker just seemed to make himself more comfortable.
The bastard.
“Want to talk about it?”
“About what?” Milo asked with annoyance.
“Whatever brought on that little outburst.”
“You brought on that outburst.”
“No. I clearly touched a nerve, so…what gives?”
The last thing he wanted was to have this conversation, but there was no way out of it without looking like a total ass.
“Everyone looks at me and puts me in this…this box. I’m quiet and studious, so clearly only quiet and studious women would find me attractive.”
“Milo, you and I have known each other since we were five, and I have never uttered those words. And I never would because I don’t believe that.”
“Yeah, well…then maybe not everyone, but most people.”
“That’s fair. But…who cares what other people think?
I honestly didn’t mean anything disrespectful in what I said.
I’m just…I don’t know…not baffled, but…no, baffled fits.
I’m baffled by this relationship. Nora does all the things that you hate.
And that I do know about you, and not in a derogatory way.
It’s a fact. You’ve said countless times how much you don’t enjoy all the outdoor activities. ”
“And I still don’t, but I’m realizing that we don’t have to like all the same things. Plus, this is…it’s new, you know? And right now, those differences aren’t a big deal. Maybe at some point they will be, but that’s a problem for another day. I’m kind of living in the moment and…it’s good.”
“Then that’s awesome. Good for you. You deserve to be happy, and if Nora is the one who makes you feel that way, then that’s amazing.”
“Thanks,” he murmured.
“But…?”
“But what?”
“That ‘thanks’ sounded like there was more to it.”
He shifted a bit, feeling uncomfortable about what he was about to say. “Nora talks to me like I’m just a regular guy.”
“Because you are a regular guy.”
“No, I mean she doesn’t talk to me about business and tech stuff or try to be intellectually stimulating,” he said carefully.
“We just talk. Other than you and the guys, no one has ever been like that with me.” He shrugged.
“I like it. I enjoy being able to just relax and laugh and talk about everything and nothing.”
“I get that.”
“Not that she’s dumbing down the conversation. She’s just being herself and I find her fascinating.”
With a smile, Walker got to his feet. “Then don’t let me and my big, stupid mouth or anyone else’s ruin it for you. Enjoy this new side of yourself.”
“I’m trying.”
“When do you leave for Seattle?”
“We’re flying out on Sunday.”
“We?”
“Nora’s coming with me.”
His friend looked like he had something to say but kept it to himself. “Have a good time and keep me posted on any of the amphitheater stuff.”
He walked out, leaving Milo wondering what he was going to say.
And why he kept it to himself.
So this is how the other half lives.
The thought looped through Nora’s mind starting the moment they boarded the plane to Seattle.
First class. She’d been flying commercial since she was a kid, but always coach, always counting rows and legroom.
This felt like another universe entirely.
Champagne appeared before she’d even settled in.
Hot towels. Real plates. A full three-course meal she barely tasted because she was too busy wondering if she was doing any of this wrong.
By the time they landed, she already felt slightly off-balance.
A large black SUV was waiting for them on the curb, the driver in a crisp uniform.
Milo had been on a call, murmuring into his phone, so Nora simply climbed in and watched the city roll past the tinted windows.
Glass and steel. Water and skyline. It all felt surreal, like she’d stepped into someone else’s life.
A ridiculous comparison flickered through her mind— Pretty Woman , minus the prostitution—and she huffed a quiet laugh at herself.
Still, this was nothing she’d ever experienced.
They pulled up to a building that didn’t scream extravagance at first glance—clean lines, understated, almost modest, considering everything else. The driver unloaded their luggage and confirmed he’d be back in two hours before driving off.
“So, um…you have a driver?” she asked, rolling her suitcase along behind Milo.
“Not usually,” he said easily.
Before she could process that, an actual doorman opened the door for them.
“Welcome home, Mr. Keene. It’s nice to see you. Let me take your bags.”
“Thanks, Jeffrey,” Milo replied. “This is Nora Wilder. She’ll be staying with me.”
The older man smiled warmly at her. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Wilder.”
And just like that, her suitcase was gone.
Nora stepped into the lobby and slowed without meaning to.
There was no way this was real life. It felt more like a five-star hotel than a place where people actually lived.
The furniture was elegant but inviting, classical music drifting softly through the space.
Everything was keycard access and there was polished stone beneath her feet.
She tried not to stare and failed miserably.
In the elevator, Milo’s hand rested low on her back, grounding and steady.
He smiled at her once, like he knew exactly what was going through her head, but he didn’t comment.
She noticed Jeffrey swipe another key card to make the elevator move, and when the doors finally opened, they were facing a marble entryway with only two doors.
Jeffrey opened the one on the right, set their luggage just inside, then stepped back. “Is there anything I can get for you, sir?”
“I think we’re good,” Milo said, tipping him before the door closed.
Nora lingered in the doorway, suddenly aware of herself—of her shoes, her clothes, the fact that she really didn’t belong here.
She was used to living in rustic cabins, crappy apartments, and even campers and tents.
That’s where she was comfortable. That was the world she knew.
This wasn’t. It wasn’t jealousy exactly, but more like standing on unfamiliar ground and realizing just how different she and Milo were.
She opened her mouth to say something—maybe a joke, maybe a deflection—but then she caught sight of the view and forgot how to speak.
Floor-to-ceiling windows. The city spread out below them. Water, lights, sky…
“Holy shit, Milo…”
She heard his quiet chuckle as he joined her at the glass. “Kind of spectacular, right? That’s why I bought the place.”
“You have a view of the Space Needle,” she said, incredulous. “Seriously?”
And just like that, the reality of his world settled in, leaving her a little breathless.
He didn’t seem overly impressed, but that was probably because this was the norm for him. “It was a big selling point. Although I’m rarely home to enjoy it. On a typical day, I’m in the office by eight and my day lasts at least twelve hours.”
They’d talked about his insane work ethic, and now that she saw where he lived, it seemed even more insane.
“Milo, have you looked at this place? This view?” she asked with a laugh. “I mean…come on! I’d work from home if I were you!”
“The amenities are pretty awesome too. Twenty-four-hour doorkeepers, concierge, fitness center, indoor pool and spa, rooftop terrace, and recreation space.”
“Ugh…now you’re just bragging. I thought I was living large because housekeeping comes to my cabin once a week to change the sheets and bring me fresh towels.” She said it lightly, but there was a tiny part of her that wanted to hate him for not appreciating what he had.
The tips of his ears turned red, just like they always did when he was mildly embarrassed. The last thing she wanted to do was embarrass him, so she opted to distract him.
Holding out her hand to him, she said, “Come on. Show me around.”
“It’s just an apartment, Nora,” he murmured, sliding his hands into his pockets.
“No, this is your home and I’d love for you to show me around.”
“Fine.”
Gently, she reached for his wrist, pulling at least one hand from his pocket. “How many bedrooms?”
“Two,” he said. “And three bathrooms.”
“Nice.”