Page 103 of Loving You

But you know what I like best about this particular puppy? It’s the way Miles is holding him cradled on his back in one arm while he sips a beer with the other.

He’s all man, but Shadow is so tiny that the whole image is screaming,I know how to be gentle.

Now, that is tempting.

Which is all kinds of messed up because … because … we had our chance to be a couple and we struggled with it. Now we are breaking up, and if I’m a smart woman, I’ll get any and all thoughts of Miles as anything more than what we are out of my head.

It wouldn't work.

We both know it.

We made things complicated, and even though we are trying to fix the mess we made, it's just smart if I don’t add fuel to the fire.

Even though just being around him today has been enlightening.

Miles knows how to relax, and it's a good look for him.

Too good.

I can picture myself spending too much time with this version of Miles.

“How’s it going over here?” Sadie asks as she sits on the porch swing next to me.

To say I was blown away that Miles was having his family over for dinner was an understatement. We got back to town early, and I was convinced that he’d head to the garage straight away. He’d ditched work—also mind-blowing—to get this puppy, and I could have sworn he was itching to get back to work in the shop, but no, he wanted to go get all the things for Shadow and then plan dinner for his family.

Now, he's laughing with his brothers, Ruby, Max, and his dad over a game of cornhole.

Dinner with his family, games, beers, and his dog. This life looks good on him.

“I’m just admiring this view while I still can,” I say honestly. It’s nice to have someone who knows the truth.

“The view as in the lake and mountains or my soon-to-be brother-in-law?”

She’s got a knowing look in her eyes as she waits for my answer. But I don't say anything. She bumps my shoulder with hers.

“It sneaks up on you, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She sighs. “You can deny it all you want, but as someone who knows from personal experience, once you fall for an Asher, that’s it. You won't come back from it.”

“I didn’t fall for Miles,” I correct her quickly, but there’s a good chance I’m saying this for my benefit and not just hers. If I keep repeating it, maybe my brain can understand why wewouldn't work. The list is long. Friends are all we should be. “In fact, we are breaking up next weekend.”

“What?” Sadie says so loudly and with so much shock that the men in the yard stop their conversation to look at us.

Hudson takes a step this way, but Sadie holds her hand up. My eyes connect with Miles’s. His gaze narrows as if he’s trying to figure me out, so I look away quickly. But I still feel his eyes on me. When I glance once more, I'm not surprised that he’s still watching me.

“That does not look like the face of a man who plans to break up next weekend.”

I nod and then sip the wine she brought over.

“It just makes sense that we end things now. We’ve seen Cherry around town with Danny, so we’re pretty sure she’s distracted. Plus, I’m sure Miles wants his bedroom back, not to mention his life. One that isn’t full of lies.”

“I don’t know,” Sadie says with a grin. “The Miles I'm seeing tonight is pretty good. I haven’t seen him this laid-back since Hudson and I got together. He’s always very grumpy.”

“So grumpy,” I say with a laugh. “And he gets this little wrinkle between his eyes when he looks at you. Like it actually hurts him to be standing there having a conversation with another person.”

“Mmm,” Sadie hums. “That might just be when he’s talking to you.”

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