34. Epilogue
Scarlett
Steven:
Downstairs waiting.
Closing my apartment door, I all but float down the stairs knowing my boyfriend is waiting for me.
My cheeks ache from smiling. Not to mention sleep came in short bursts last night, so I should be exhausted.
Pushing the door open, I find Steven leaning against the wall. His hands are stuffed in his jeans pockets, with a smile stretched across his face. My smile grows, and I swear my cheeks are going to fall off.
“Good morning.” His voice is low, sending tiny shivers down my spine. I step closer, giving in to the urge to touch him by placing a hand on his bicep. When he wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me against him, a soft breath leaves me.
He leans in and presses the sweetest kiss on my lips, while brushing my hair aside. A ripple of warmth moves down my body, leaving my knees wobbly in its wake.
“Good morning. How did you sleep?” I press my lips against his before entwining his fingers with mine and heading to The Bleacher Bean.
“I don’t think you can call what I did last night sleep.” He chuckles, the deep sound tugging at my gut. “You?”
“About the same.” I swing his hand. “I had someone stop over at my house last night and confess their undying love for me.” He pulls the door open, and I slide under his arm. “It was pretty awesome.”
“Well, that’s interesting, because I remember going over to someone’s house and making a confession.”
“Wow!” My eyes widen, and I wrap both arms around his waist, resting my head on his chest. I peek up at him through my lashes. “How interesting; we had nearly the same experience.”
Steven pulls me closer. The scent of coffee and his familiar cologne mixes as the frother hums behind the counter. For a second, everything around us fades.
His hands reach up and cup the sides of my face. Just before his lips touch mine, the bell over the door jingles.
“Not you two.” A muffled voice says behind us. I can feel Steven’s grin, just as my mouth curves up. “I’ve had enough of you to last me the rest of my life after last night.”
“I hate to tell you this, Miles.” I pat him on the back. “But that was only the beginning.”
He groans, and Steven throws his head back and howls.
“I need coffee,” He grumbles, and heads to the counter, yelling, “Mom?”
Millie walks up, and Miles' brows shoot up. His chin drops, and he scrubs his face with his hand. “I’m sorry, Millie. I just assumed my mother would still be here.”
She chuckles, “Sorry to disappoint you.” Then her gaze turns to me and Steven, a smile dawning on her face. “Aww, you two look happy.”
Smile still in place, she turns back to Miles. “What will it be for you today?”
“The strongest thing you have. I have a meeting in thirty minutes, and I need to be coherent.”
“Coming up!” Millie says in a cheery voice that has Miles scowling.
“I think we broke him,” Steven whispers, pulling me close and kissing my forehead.
Staring at Miles’ profile, a grin tugs at the corner of my mouth. “Nah. He’ll bounce back.”
The frother whirs loudly as Millie steams milk and pours us our coffees, filling the air with the exquisite scent of fresh coffee. She slides Miles’ cup across the counter.
He grunts at it, and possibly her, before downing the entire cup.
He wipes his mouth with his forearm and sighs before mumbling, “Thank you.”
“Maybe you’re right.” I shrug. “We might have broken him.”
Steven snorts, then pulls my chin so I’m facing him. Lowering his lips to mine, he mumbles. “Not our problem.”
Slipping my arms around his neck, I nod, standing on my toes so I can press my lips to his.
“You two are ridiculously adorable this morning.” Millie’s leaning against the counter on her elbow, an uneven smile on her face. “Are you getting your usuals?”
“Yes, please,” We say together, still facing each other.
“Heaven help me.” Miles groans, running his hand through his hair.
“Oh, Miles.” I chuckle, making my way to him and giving him a side hug. “You’ll feel differently about it all once you’ve had some sleep.”
He side-eyes me, and a snort’s ripped from me.
“Remember you wanted this,” I sing-song, and the tiniest of smirks crosses Miles’ mouth for the briefest of moments before he grumbles something about meddling.
Steven comes up behind me and places his arm around my waist, pulling my back to his chest.
The bells over the shop door jingle and I turn to see my friend Izzy wearing her typical frown.
“Izzy!” I give her my brightest smile, and she rolls her eyes.
I can feel the rumble of Steven’s chest as he whispers, “There are two of them.”
Shaking my head, I whisper, “No, Izzy is pretty much always like this. Miles is having an off day. He’s a ray of sunshine in comparison.”
Steven’s laughter vibrates through me.
Miles, seeing someone else in the coffee shop, puts on a smile. Not only is it his mom’s place of business, but he never forgets he’s always repping the Mavericks.
“Izzy. This is my boyfriend Steven Bennett, and his brother Miles.” She looks Steven over and attempts to smile, but it comes out more like a grimace.
Steven reaches his hand out. “Hi Izzy. It’s nice to finally meet Scarlett’s friend. I think she mentioned that you’re also the owner of a bookstore down the street.”
“Yes.” The smallest sparkle lights up Izzy’s face before her usual stoic expression falls back in place. She grudgingly takes his hand. “It’s nice to meet the friend that Scarlett can never stop telling me about.”
Steven turns toward me, a glint in his eye, and I feel my cheeks heat. “She talks about me a bunch, huh?”
“Gah.” Izzy grumbles. “Annoyingly so.”
A snicker escapes Miles, and Izzy narrows her eyes at him. Miles extends his hand. “Hi. I’m Miles Bennett. It’s nice—”
“I know who you are.” She responds, eyeing him from head to toe, a derisive look on her face. Miles' mouth drops open. “You’re the Mavericks Quarterback.”
Miles’ arm hangs in the air, his eyes wide; he’s never had anyone respond to him like this before. I’m not sure the Mavs PR team has given him the tools to handle a woman who is seemingly unaffected by his charm.
My gaze bounces between them. “Are you seeing this?” I whisper to Steven, tipping my chin.
“A beautiful woman who isn’t falling at my brother's feet?” He nods, a mischievous look on his face. “Hmmm…we may need to talk more about this later.”
My forehead pulls as I glance over my shoulder. “Talk more about what—”
He silences me with a kiss. “Later, James.”
Miles looks Izzy over as she marches toward the counter, dismissing him.
At almost that exact moment, Millie places mine and Steven’s coffee down, and winks at me. “Here you go, lovebirds.”
Turning to Izzy, she smiles. “Give me one second, Iz, and I’ll get your drink started.” Glancing at Miles, she asks, “Do you need another for the road?”
“That would be amazing, Mills. Thank you.” Charm drips off every word.
“Mills?” I mouth to Steven, who just shrugs, fascinated by the scene unfolding. Miles has star status in Maple Ridge, and usually everyone is excited to see him. Despite that status, he’s a kind, down-to-earth person, so everyone in town likes him.
Everyone except Izzy, apparently.
Miles leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching Millie as she gets his and Izzy’s coffee ready. “Your bookstore specializes in classics and older collections, right, Izzy?”
Izzy gives him the stiffest of nods, but doesn’t even glance in his direction.
Miles looks over his shoulder at us, his brows furrowed. “I’m a fan of the classics,” he tries again.
“Huh.” Izzy grunts.
Over his shoulder, he mouths, “Tough crowd.”
I giggle before I can slap my hand over my mouth. The poor man has never been in this position before. And it’s pretty funny.
“Here you go.” Millie slides the two drinks across the counter and takes Izzy’s card. “Do you want anything else, Izzy?”
“Not today.” As if remembering her manners, she forces her lips into what’s supposed to be a smile, and adds. “Thank you though.”
Silence descends as Izzy makes her way out of the shop. My gaze is glued to Miles as he watches her leave.
His jaw falls open, and he’s slowly shaking his head. When the door clicks, he utters, “I’ve never experienced that before. I think she hated me.”
“Nah,” Millie says, wiping down the counter. “Izzy’s like that with everyone.”
“She’s a tough nut,” I agree.
“Is her bookshop the one that’s under your apartment in your new building, Miles?” My head whips toward Steven.
“Building?” I ask.
“Yeah, Miles bought the building down the street.”
“Steven!” Miles barks.
“What?!” My brows shoot up, and I point a finger at Miles. “You’re RIG Holdings?”
“Shhh.” He stomps over to me and puts a finger on my mouth. I can feel Steven laughing. “It’s not public news yet.”
Miles looks around, and when he sees that it’s just the three of us, his shoulders drop. “Promise me you’ll keep that to yourself. You too, Millie.”
“Of course. You know how good I am with secrets.” I wink, while Millie places one hand over her heart and raises the other hand in the air. “But I can tell you when Izzy finds out, she’s going to like you even less. I’m not even sure you being a classical book fan will help.”
Miles' shoulders droop before he stomps toward the door. “Please no late phone calls tonight. I need sleep. Otherwise I might end up like her.” His head tips in the direction Izzy took.
“I’m pretty sure neither of us will be thinking of you,” Steven says, taking my hand in his.
“You’re welcome,” Miles says, the ghost of a smile crossing his lips, as the door closes behind him.
“See you later, Millie!” I raise my coffee cup to her. “Thanks again.”
The door chimes, the lingering aroma of roasted beans following us out onto the sidewalk.
“Remember how my mom mentioned matching Miles and Wyatt?” Steven tucks my hand in his hoodie pocket with his.
Taking a sip of my coffee, I nod. “Mm-hmm.”
“I think I want to help.”
Nearly choking, I sputter, “Help with what?”
“Setting Miles up.”
Stopping dead in my tracks, my head whips in his direction.
“C’mon James. It will be fun.” He tugs at my hand, pulling me forward. “Besides, he had way too much fun with ‘Knightley’s Gambit’.”
“Knightley’s what?”
His mouth quirks, and he pushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I’ll fill you in tonight over dinner.”
My eyebrows raise, and I stare at him.
His brow quirks, challenging me.
A grin pulls at my lips, and I huff out a laugh. “I do love matchmaking.”
“That’s my girl.” He leans in, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
Read chapter one on the very next page!