Page 42 of Before This Ends (Before)

I gulp down a mouthful of wine.

Angling his body in a way that would prevent me from getting up if I tried, he picks up his glass and takes a swig, then locks his gaze on mine.

“All right, Em,” he starts, like he’s talking to a frightened animal, and maybe I am. I feel like one. “I know you just got out of a relationship, and I get that you’d have some reservations about dating someone with a kid, but?—”

“No, I wouldn’t.” I frown. I can’t help it. My response is automatic, but I realize when his lips tip up ever-so-slightly that was the wrong thing to say. As in, if I wantedoutof this situation, I just blew my shot.

“Okay.” He places his hand on my knee, and a wave of something unexpected travels from that spot, up my thigh, and right between my legs. “I’m not looking for a mom for Winter.” My heart already beating hard begins to thunder. “She has a mom. And I’m also not looking for a chef or a babysitter.”

Is it hot in here?

He continues, “That’s not why I’m interested in you, and I’m not expecting you to do any of those things.”

It feels hot in here.

“I want to get to know you without Winter in the mix.”

Yep, it’s definitely hot in here.And between that and my heart now jackhammering, I’m positive I might faint.

“Winter adores you, and I know you feel the same about her, so the three of us will spend time together. But I want timealonewith you.” His eyes scan over my face. “What are you thinking?”

“I’m going to pass out,” I blurt, and he grins. Tucking away my freak-out, I start to cover his hand still on my knee but stop myself, and I tell him quietly, “Miles, this—” I motion between us with a wave of my hand. “—is a horrible idea.”

“I know.”

“Your brother is dating my best friend and— Wait, what?” I shake my head, realizing he just agreed with me.

“I know this is a bad idea, probably the worst idea I’ve had in a while. But like I said, I like you. I like being with you, and from that kiss, I know we have chemistry.”

“You aren’t some random guy I’ll never have to see again if this goes to crap.”

“We’ll figure things out if that happens.” He lifts one shoulder.

“What about Winter?”

“You already said you don’t have a problem dating a man with a kid.”

“I don’t, but again, this is different. The connection we have and my relationship with Winter makes all of this much more complicated. I’d never want her to be hurt.”

“So, it will be harder for you or me to walk away without putting in some real effort.”

I should not like that response, but I do. Actually, I like it a lot—maybe too much.

“What about Brit?”

“Who?” He frowns, and I frown in return.

“The woman I saw you with at the bar.”

“Shit." His gaze wanders over my face. “I didn’t get it then but that night, about five minutes after I watched you walk into your building, I took her home and told her it wasn’t going to work.”

“Oh.” I swallow.

“Mmm.” He makes a humming noise in the back of his throat, then squeezes my knee. “Where is your head at now?”

“I don’t know. I like you.” That’s a total understatement. “I just?—”

“We’ll start slow,” he cuts me off before I can repeat once more that I don’t think this is a good idea. “I’ll see if Miranda and Tucker can keep Winter for a couple of hours tomorrow evening. We’ll go out to dinner, then we’ll go from there.”

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