Page 57 of The Enemy Face Off

I'm wrapped up in Milo's strong, heavy, protective arms…and I don't hate it.

That'swhat's wrong.

Why don't I hate it?

Yes the man gave me the best kiss of my life last night—a considerable feat given the intentionally unromantic setting—and yes, he's breaking my no-touching-in-bed rule, but I…I don't care. There's something so nice about starting a new day wrapped in someone's arms that sure as heck beats waking up alone.

Milo stirs behind me.

A few seconds pass, and then he sucks in a deep, whooshing breath. Is he having a moment of post-kiss clarity? Remorse? Regret?

He breaks away from me. "Oh, man. Beth, I'm so sorry. I don't know how we ended up—how my arms were around—why I held—Okay. I'm clearly having trouble finishing a sentence, but in my defense, the threat of imminent death will do that to a man."

I bite back my grin and roll over to face him.

My breath catches in my throat at the sight of him, and I let out a sputter.

What is it with us this morning?

He can't complete a sentence, and I'm having trouble remembering the basic in-and-out pattern required to breathe and, you know, stay alive.

Milo's long, shoulder-length hair is tousled from sleep, falling gently around his face, which is lit up by the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains, and his light-gray T-shirt clings to his muscular frame. If waking up in his strong arms is an excellent way to start the day, being greeted by this spectacular view runs a close second.

"It's okay," I say, partly to reassure him I'm not mad, and partly so I have an excuse to run my hand up and down his massive bicep.

"So I'll still be able to have kids?"

I stop rubbing his arm. "It's too early for your so-called comedy."

"Six seconds in and you're already insulting me. That's a new record."

"Yeah, well. I think you like it."

"Another thing that's already been established." He reaches over and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "So. Do we do the awkward post-kiss thing where we pretend like it neverhappened, or is it okay if I'm upfront with you and say that was the single most spectacular kiss of my life?"

My heart starts beating way too fast, but I make an effort to not let it show. "Option B sounds good."

He smiles, and a beam of light catches on his green eyes, making them glitter. "Well, it was. Just wanted to put that out there before you go back to mid-level hating me."

"You've been downgraded to low-level hate," I say. Then, not liking the way the wordhatemakes me feel, amend, "Andhateis too strong a word. You've been downgraded to low-level annoyance."

He beams like I've just declared my undying love for him. "Even though I'm bummed for our friends that this trip didn't turn out as planned, at least I got that."

That reminds me. "The wedding." I sit upright and look out the window. "It's sunny."

"It is."

I race over to my phone I left charging in the kitchenette. "I'm going to message Evie," I say loudly over my shoulder. "Maybe the wedding is back on somehow? You know, post-Christmas miracle, and all that."

"Fingers crossed." He gets up as well. "Mind if I use the bathroom?"

"Not at all." I'm tempted to throw in some quip about wanting him to leave it clean, but after the pristine condition he left it in yesterday, I don't see any reason to.

I pick up my phone and tap into the Vinaigrettes WhatsApp group chat.

Beth:Hey, it's sunny here in Whispering Pines. Any chance the wedding can get un-canceled and you can have the ceremony today?

Evie:I wish. There's been a landslide, and the road in and out of Cedar Crest Hollow is cut off. Plus, the lodge has sustained damage.

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