Page 129 of Loving You

My heart squeezes in my chest.

Oh dear. Don’t cry. Not now.

“That’s really sweet.”

The look in his eyes makes me take a deep breath.

I can’t be sure, but I get the feeling that we both have things on our minds that we aren’t ready to talk about.

So I reach for his hand and squeeze twice. Then I let him lead me up to the bedroom. “I’m going to take a quick shower,” he says.

As soon as Miles shuts the door to the bathroom, my phone pings.

I notice right away that the email is from the travel agencythat helps my clients book my trips. I missed the first email from a hotel chain in Germany that I have a contract with for the next two years, so I have to catch up quickly. They want me to visit at either the end of August or start of September in preparation for Oktoberfest, which begins on September 20th this year.

Normally, when I see these emails, I get excited about where I’m headed next. I’ve been to Oktoberfest before, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget, but for the first time in forever, the idea of leaving brings me to tears.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

MILES

Do you want to stay in Lovers?

Can you stay in Lovers?

What do you think about staying in Lovers?

Stay with me, please.

Don’t leave me.

I groan, stepping back from my current project.

I grab my towel and wipe my hands down, even though they aren’t that dirty.

I want to ask Quinn to stay, but I don’t know how to do it.

It’s the only thing that makes sense to me now, but she hasn’t exactly hinted that’s what she wants.

In fact, ever since girls’ night a few nights ago, she’s been … different. Almost as if she’s pulling back.

I know her time here is almost up. The day she leaves is like a ticking bomb, reminding us that this thing we have isn’t going to last forever.

I hate it.

I hate every moment of it.

A wrench drops behind me, startling me.

Henry picks it up and smiles at me before getting back to work.

Henry is working out great. He’s a quick learner and hangs on every word I say. I find this a plus. Ruby was a school nurse before she came back to Lovers, and she said it’s so hard to get kids to focus these days.

Knowing this one wants to be here helps. I won’t lie. I was a little worried when Quinn told me his age, but then she pointed out that he’d only be here on afternoons and weekends. She knew I didn’t want someone in my face at all times, so this kid is perfect.

What am I going to do when she’s gone?

Yes, I can do the business side of things fine. Quinn basically made the office work dummy proof, but walking in there to not find her will ruin my day every single time.

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