Chapter 14
Miles
“Smells so damn good in here,” I say the second I step into Mama’s kitchen, my stomach growling loud enough to wake the dead.
“Jesus, Miles. One of these days, you’re going to give me a heart attack with those ungodly noises you make,” Granny mutters from the stove as she stirs a pot of butternut squash soup.
I grin and walk over to throw an arm around her shoulders. “As colorful as ever, Granny.”
She tsks under her breath, but I catch the tiny smile pulling at her lips.
“I came to fix the leak under the sink,” I say, already eyeing the soup, “but if there happens to be enough for lunch…”
Winter showed up way too early this year.
Technically, it’s still fall, but it’s been snowing for weeks.
Not enough to stop work, but just enough to make everything a pain in the ass.
The first snowfall looked beautiful. Now everything’s turned into gray slush and dirty piles shoved to the side of the roads.
A couple weeks ago, right after Penny stayed at my place, I spotted a rose bush in the backyard. I know for a fact I didn’t plant the damn thing, and I'm pretty sure Gio and Ruin didn’t either before I bought the house from them. But the second I saw those roses, I thought about Penny.
So I cut a few and left them in her office this morning.
Having stopped thinking about her since.
“Miles, sweetheart.”
Mama walks into the kitchen and immediately wraps an arm around my waist. I pull her in with my free arm, suddenly sandwiched between my two mommas.
I tilt my back, feeling smug as hell. “Look at me. One lady on each side.”
Mama laughs and lightly punches me in the stomach.
“Ow,” I groan, folding in half like she actually hurt me.
“Go set the table before I smack you with the wooden spoon,” Granny warns.
“Okay, okay. I was just joking, Gee.” I get my ass in gear and quickly set the table in the kitchen before she follows through on the threat.
Mama serves three big bowls of soup, while Granny brings over a pan of freshly baked cornbread.
“Thank you, ladies. Truly out here doing the Lord’s work,” I say, pressing my hands together in prayer.
Mama and Granny both laugh, but neither disagrees.
“How have you been lately, sweetheart?” Mama asks while blowing on her soup. “It feels like you haven’t come to see us in the longest time.”
I give her a pointed look. “I was here last week.”
“Right.” She taps her temple with one finger. “Some days I feel like my brain’s running out of space. I can’t remember anything lately.”
Worry hits me hard and fast.
“Mama… is that a symptom of dementia?” I ask quietly, concern slipping into my voice.
Granny smacks the back of my hand. “Nonsense. Joss is just starting to feel the winter blues. All this snow so early in the season is enough to bring anyone down.”
I sag in relief, my chest loosening.
“Well then,” I say. “What can I do to cheer you two up?”
“Visit more often,” they both answer at the same time.
I laugh. “Understood.”
After a spoonful of soup, I close my eyes for a second and silently thank God for another meal with two of the most important people in my life.
“Oh, Granny. I almost forgot.”
Her eyes go wide so fast I start laughing.
“Sorry,” I say as I try to pull myself together. “I just found this rose bush blooming in my backyard. Didn’t even know flowers could bloom during winter.”
Mama and Granny glance at each other. A whole silent conversation passes between them.
“What color are the roses?” Granny asks carefully.
I stare at the ceiling while I think. “I think it’s a pale pink color,” I answer proudly.
“Did they have a smell?” Mama asks next.
“Yeah, actually. Really fragrant.”
They both smirk at the same time.
“What?” I ask slowly. “What am I missing here?”
“It’s the Penelope rose,” Granny says casually.
What. The. Fuck?
“The what now?” My voice cracks at the end.
I clear my throat and take a giant gulp of water.
“The only rose that blooms during winter around here is the Penelope rose,” Mama explains. “I didn’t realize you had one on your property.”
“I’ve never seen it before,” I tell them as I pull out my phone and do a quick search.
As soon as I type Penelope rose into the search bar, my screen floods with pictures of the exact roses I cut for Penny.
“Pass me the phone. Let me see,” Granny says, making grabby hands at me.
I do as I’m told and keep eating.
“Ah, yes. This is the one,” she says, adjusting her glasses. “Some people believe roses that bloom during harsh conditions bring love and comfort to whoever finds them.”
“Really?” I scoff.
“Really, Miles John.”
I widen my eyes. When Granny—or Mama—pulls out my full name, shit is serious.
“What did you do with the roses?” Mama asks casually.
“Nothing,” I mumble, ducking my head as I focus real hard on my soup.
Because these two would never let me leave this house in peace if I admitted I gave those roses to Penny. They’d have the entire family planning a wedding before sunset.
I stop by Penny’s office first because Mama insisted I bring her hot soup and cornbread.
Didn’t matter how many times I told her Penny had probably already eaten lunch.
“Then you can take it home and heat it for supper,” was Mama’s response.
I knock before walking in, not even waiting for permission. It’s too fucking cold today.
“Hey, boss,” I say, a grin already tugging at my lips.
“Hey, you,” she replies brightly. Her eyes drop to what I’m carrying, and she frowns. “What’s all that?”
“Oh.” Heat creeps up my neck. “I went to fix a leak in Mama’s kitchen, and she sent you lunch.”
“Aww, Joss is the sweetest.”
The scent of her sweet perfume reaches me before she does. A second later, the pointed toe of one boot taps lightly against mine.
My gaze drifts up her body. Killer legs. Curvy hips. Perfect tits. And finally, her gorgeous face. Then my eyes meet hers.
One eyebrow lifts slowly, and a knowing smile spreads across her lips.
“What?” I ask with a nervous laugh. “Anyway, I’m not sure if you already had lunch. But if you did, no big deal. I can take this home.”
She snatches the Tupperware from my hands before I can turn around and leave.
“I don’t care if I already had lunch—which I haven’t,” she says, her whole face turning mischievous. “There’s no scenario where I’d willingly turn down food made by Joss and Granny.”
Her words warm something inside me.
“Is that a blush I see?” Penny asks as she steps back into my space, close enough that I can feel her breath against my chest.
“Pfft, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I cover the back of my head with my hand. “I think you need to eat. You’re starting to see things.”
Penny lets out a loud laugh. “You’re so full of shit, Miles.” She’s still grinning when she walks back toward her desk, and my eyes betray me, locking onto the perfect curve of her ass in that tight pencil skirt.
“I think it’s very cute what you’re doing.”
“And what exactly am I supposedly doing?” I bite.
“Well…” She lifts one finger. “First, the flowers.” A second finger joins it. “Then the daily coffee.” Another. “And now homemade soup? Someone who didn’t know you might think you’re flirting with me.”
She says it lightly, teasing me, but my chest gets tight anyway.
“Please, Penny.” I try for a casual grin. “I’m just being a decent human being. Taking care of my boss.”
I throw a wink because the moment suddenly feels way too serious.
A soft smile pulls at her lips, and the way her eyes linger on me tells me she likes hearing that a little too much.
“Are we still meeting with the crew?” I ask.
Just like that, her expression settles back into business mode.
“Yeah. Go ahead and gather everyone. I’ll be there in five.”
I nod and turn toward the door. The sooner I put some space between us, the sooner my heartbeat might calm the hell down.
I know she was joking.
But I have been bringing her coffee every morning for weeks now. Splash of cream. No sugar. And the lingering looks between us definitely aren’t helping.
Anyone who thinks I’m flirting with Penny Levine is out of their damn minds.
I don’t do relationships.
I remind myself of that for what feels like the nth time.
“Afternoon, everyone,” Penny says as she walks into the room, which we turned into a meeting space.
A choir of greetings fills the small room.
She takes a seat and sets her giant water jug on the conference table.
“I’ll keep today’s meeting short and sweet. Gio and Xander are very pleased with the tremendous progress you have all been making so far. They know this fall has been cooler than usual, and they appreciate you showing up and working hard despite the weather.”
As she speaks, she makes eye contact with every single person in the room.
That’s one of the things I admire most about Penny. She makes people feel seen. Doesn’t matter if someone’s running the project or hauling lumber inside. She treats everyone with the same level of respect.
“However,” she continues, “they think it’d be smart to pause construction until spring.”
Uneasy murmurs spread through the room.
A lot of them depend on winter work to get by.
“Quiet down, everyone,” I cut in. “Let the boss talk.”
Penny shoots me a grateful smile before continuing. “That’s why they’ve decided to double the bonus outlined in everyone’s contracts.”
The room erupts.
Euphoria. It’s the only word for it. Everyone’s on their feet. Some are already pulling out their phones to call their partners. One of the older crew members wipes at his eyes without even trying to hide it.
And I get it. This kind of money changes lives.
“I always knew Gio was generous, but double the bonus is crazy,” I say as I walk over to Penny.
She laughs softly. “You know him. He’s not the kind of billionaire who hoards all his money.”
“Yeah.” I shake my head, still impressed. “Does that include my bonus too?” I ask, suddenly feeling weirdly shy about it.
Her grin widens. “Including you and me. Gio went all out.”
I let out a low whistle.
I’m about to crack a joke when someone calls my name from the back of the room.
I turn toward one of the crew guys and head his way, crossing my arms over my chest as I slip straight into manager mode.
“What’s up?”
He rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. “I know it’s silly, but… I feel kinda bad.”
I frown. “Why?”
“I mean, Mr. Gio’s giving us all this money, and we’re gonna sit on our asses all winter?”
A few of the other crew members nod, agreeing under their breath.
I think it over for a second.
I mean, he’s not wrong. Most of us would just be twirling our thumbs at home for a couple of months.
Then it hits me.
“Let me talk to Ms. Levine,” I say.
I head over to where Penny’s chatting with a few of the employees and tap her shoulder.
The second she sees me, her whole face lights up.
Her reaction surprises me, and fuck if it doesn’t make me stand a little taller.
“Eddie made a good point, and I got an idea that could work,” I tell her, resting a hand against her lower back as I guide her to a quieter corner of the room where we can actually hear each other.
“The construction is moving fast. We’re on schedule—maybe even a little ahead. Yeah, we’ve gotten a lot of snow, but we still have a few weeks before everything’s completely frozen.”
I straighten up, already knowing this sounds a little unorthodox. “And since the budget clearly isn’t an issue…” I pause. “What if we bring in a second crew? At least for a few weeks.”
Penny tilts her head side to side the way she always does when she’s thinking something through.
“With two crews, we could get the roof and the exterior walls done way faster,” I continue. “Once the building’s closed in, we can keep working indoors through winter.”
Her smile blindsides me.
“Look at you, Miles MacAllister. Full of great ideas.” She punches my shoulder lightly. “And not just in bed,” she whispers so only I can hear.
I groan and drag my hand down my face.
Her cackle follows me as she steps away again.
I’m not flirting with Penny Levine.
I’m definitely not thinking about her underneath me.
But as I watch her take control of the room again, already discussing logistics with the crew, one thought hits me hard enough to knock the air out of my lungs.
This plan is either going to be the best decision I've ever made... or the one that finally ruins me.