Chapter 22
Miles
Men of Azalea Creek Chat
Gio: What’s everyone doing for Valentine's? I’m thinking about taking Ruin to Vegas for a short baby moon.
Miles: Ha! Let the dough do the talkin’. Good one, Gio! What are you planning, Xander? You can’t let the billionaire outshine you. *LOLemoji*
Xander: Rain and I are going to Massachusetts to visit my parents. Mom is planning a secret baby shower, and then we’re spending a few days in our beach house on the Cape. I have to pamper her before the baby arrives.
I love how down bad my brothers-in-law are for their wives. If I ever got married, I’d be exactly the same. Spoiling her would become my full-time job.
Good thing that’s probably never going to happen, because my bank account sure as hell doesn’t look like theirs.
Manny: Damn, now I’m feeling like my idea is lame. Since we have Tommy, I was just planning to cook dinner, then take her for a couple's massage.
River: I do think what you’re doing is nice, Manny. You’re taking care of your son and your lady. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.
Miles: Ohhhh, look at that. River approves!! Are you taking Carly out? I’ve noticed you’ve been more talkative since she came back from her Caribbean holiday vacation.
Merlin: What? River finally took Carly out on a date? #TheyGrowUpSoFast #ProudOfYouBro
River: Can you two, morons, quit it? I’ve been knee-deep busy with the new foal. Not to mention all the prep for spring at the farm.
River: What’s interesting here is that Miles is giving shit to everyone when the one that has been busy with a certain someone is him! (Not mentioning her name out of respect for my brothers-in-law.)
Oh shit, here we go.
The man couldn’t keep it to himself.
Apparently, helping me rescue Penny’s car twice—once from a snow bank and once from Gio and Ruin’s place after the cookie exchange—suddenly means jackshit.
Merlin: What? You can’t drop a bomb like that and leave me hanging, old man! Is Miles dating someone? And we know her? Fuck this, I’m going home! I’ll spend Valentine’s weekend helping take care of Indigo and Sage.
Manny: But how in the world did I miss Miles dating someone? I need to ask Daisy. brB.
River: Oh no, it’s not just dating. They’re playing house!
Miles: Shush your grumpy mountain-man mouth, Bro!
Manny: Everyone, STOP! What is Riv talking about?
Gio: Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you. Penny and Miles are cohabiting since they decided to manage two crews to finish the ice rink on time.
Manny: Wait, wait. Are you taking her somewhere nice? You better be ready to spend your dough, because that woman is a millionaire! No Hardy’s dates for her.
Leave it to Manny to hammer in the final nail in my coffin.
Of course I’ve thought about one hundred million different ways to celebrate with Penny. Taking her out to one of those fancy restaurants she likes. Finding an excuse to spoil her a little. Hell, I’d love that.
But every single time I’m about to bring it up, reality smacks me upside the head.
We’re just enjoying our time together.
We’re not in a relationship.
And we will never be.
Miles: Nah. Penny and I are temporary. Why should I take her on a Valentine’s date?
I hold my breath as I wait for everyone to start chirping in.
Because the truth is, I already know Penny’s more than temporary.
Even after whatever this thing between us eventually becomes—or ends—she’ll still be around.
At this point, she already feels like family.
Gio: I really don’t want details. I just ask you to please treat her with respect. She’s family to me.
I swallow at Gio’s text.
Miles: I know, Gio. She’s family to my family too. Just know that I do treat her right.
Xander: I mean, even if things aren’t steady between you, I’d still take her out somewhere. The fact that this isn’t your forever, doesn’t mean you can’t treat her right and enjoy it while you’re together.
I would never admit it, but Xander has a point. What was I thinking?
I sign off with the guys and try to get back to work.
But taking Penny somewhere for Valentine’s is the only thing I can focus on.
Good thing the bulk of the construction is behind us, and now we’re mostly dealing with cosmetic details.
Because the closer we get to finishing the project, the closer Penny gets to heading back to Charlotte. And I don’t want to think about that.
I want more time with her.
I need more time with her.
“Fuck it.”
Miles: Hey, boss.
Penny: Yes, Miles?
Miles: Do you have plans for next weekend?
I’m such an idiot. I should’ve just told her what we’re doing next weekend. What if she already made plans with that asshat?
Penny: Next weekend is Valentine’s Miles… of course I don’t have plans!
I can picture her sitting behind her desk, all businesswoman, while reading my stupid texts. I grin at the image forming in my head.
Miles: What if we celebrate together? All the passion, none of the feelings?
I send the text and start pacing the private suite I’m prepping for paint. Her reply comes within seconds.
Penny: I feel like that’s something you should ask in person. I’m in my office.
Shiiit. This vixen wants to play. Good thing I want to play too.
Miles: I’m in one of the private suites. You can stop by anytime. I’ll be here until seven.
“Yo, Miles,” Steven, one of the newer construction workers, calls out.
“Here,” I keep patching nail holes with spackle.
“The boss is on her way.” He wiggles his brows knowingly. “Figured you might wanna wash up or look presentable or something.”
I glance at him. “And why’s that?”
He shrugs. “Shit. I don’t know. I just heard rumors.”
I take a slow step toward him. “Watch your mouth when you talk about her. She’s off-limits. Understood?”
His expression hardens. “Relax, man. I was just letting you know your fuck buddy was coming.” He snorts. “Not that I’d want her anyway. She’s old, and the only thing she’s got going for her is money.”
The second the words leave his mouth, my fist connects with his jaw.
Pain explodes through my hand, but I’d gladly break every bone in my hand before letting someone disrespect Penny.
“That’s it. You’re fired,” I growl as Steven stumbles backward, clutching his face.
“I’m gonna sue you!” he shouts.
The rest of the crew floods in just as Martin appears behind him.
“What happened?” Martin asks.
“He came in here talking shit about the boss.”
Martin grimaces. “I told him to knock it off with the comments about you and Ms. Levine.”
So this little shit’s been talking about her behind our backs.
“Get him out of here,” I snap. “Send him his check.”
The room falls silent after that. Quiet enough to hear a damn pin drop.
Then I notice everyone staring toward the entrance.
The boss is here.