Page 87 of Home With You

"Would you just stop?" I feel his arms go around me and my feet lifting off the ground.

"Hey! Put me down," I say, laughing as he continues to hold me.

"Will you wear my jacket?"

"Yes. Now put me down."

He slowly sets me on the ground, then helps me into his jacket, which is way too big but makes me instantly warm. He turns me around and leans down to kiss me, his warm lips covering mine.

"What was that for?" I ask.

"I wanted to kiss you."

"Miles, you can't do that. I told you we can't be anything more than friends, and I told you why. You can't keep trying to date me."

"I'm trying not to," he says, taking my hand as we continue to walk. "But I'm having a hard time following that rule."

"You need to, because nothing's going to happen between us."

"I'm pretty sure it already has."

"That was sex. That's different."

"I wasn't talking about that," he says, giving my hand a squeeze.

He means we've already developed feelings for each other, and although it's true, I'm trying to deny it. I can't get involved with him, or anyone, right now. It's not what I want but it's how it has to be.

We get to the restaurant, which is dark and elegant with white tablecloths and candles on every table. I feel completely underdressed but Miles seems perfectly comfortable, walking straight up to the hostess stand, his hand still wrapped around mine.

"Table for two," he says to the thin brunette.

She smiles at him. "I've never seen you at dinner before."

"I thought I'd give it a try."

Her eyes go to me. "You look familiar. Do you work at the firm?"

"No," I say, pulling Miles' jacket tighter around me.

"I know I've seen you before. You must work downtown."

I don't answer.

"We'd really like to get seated," Miles says to her. "We're starving."

"Certainly. Right this way."

She leads us to a table along the windows, then stops suddenly and looks back at me, like she suddenly remembers how she knows me. She turns back and walks us to a table near the restroom.

"Is this all you have?" Miles asks. "I don't want to sit by the restroom."

She glances at me. "Sorry, but we had a lot of reservations tonight."

"What about that table up front? The one by the windows?"

She looks annoyed that he noticed that and called her on it.

"I thought this one might be better," she says, faking a smile. "It'll give you more privacy."

---