Page 16 of Loving You

“So when do you see him?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. If he works so much,” Ashley asks.

“Well, I mean, he makes time for me.”

“Oh, that’s good.”

“I’m actually off to see him now, but you can all text or message me or whatever, and we can plan something, but I really have to be going. So happy to see you.” I dash out the door.

Before I can change my mind, I walk briskly toward Restore and Repair.

I have no idea what I’m going to say or do, but I know there will be begging. Lots of it.

I could turn around right now and tell them we broke up, but they are here for the whole summer. One of them is bound to run into Miles or Luca or even Hudson, and people talk. They’d eventually find out I lied.

I lied about being in a relationship.

How sad is that?

Not as sad as what I’m about to do.

As soon as I reach the shop, I see a redhead hovering outside the three garage doors.

Is this Cherry? I don’t want to be judgmental because I hate that, but honestly, it would make sense with her bright red hair.

I slow my steps. She seems fidgety as she rises and lowers from the tips of her toes to her heels, peeking into the shop as if she were looking for someone.

If she can’t find him, then he must not be there.

Unless …

I reroute my steps and head to the side of the building. Then I help myself to the back door and walk in as if I own the place. As soon as I crack the door from the back office to the garage, I see him sitting in the corner on the floor behind one of the cars.

Each shoulder touches a wall, his legs criss-crossed in front of him and his computer on his lap. I glance out the big doors; Cherry is still lurking.

This is it. This is how I’ll convince him to rent to me. We both need this.

Slowly, because I’m unsure what Cherry can and can’t see inside the shop, I crouch to Miles's level. I open the door just a sliver more so he can see me. There is no way I can open the door entirely without drawing her attention, though, so I’ll have to talk with him from here.

“Miles,” I whisper rather loudly.

He startles, his hands doing this weird shake that causes themto hit his computer screen. He barely catches it before it falls off his lap.

For the first time in my life, I understand exactly what the phrase "if looks could kill" means.

I try not to smile at his glare.

“What the hell are you doing?” he whispers back.

“Well, I came to talk to you about the apartment.”

“Jesus. Can nobody take a hint? I said no, Quinn. I do not have time for this.”

I nod slowly. I hear him. I should probably just apologize and leave, because it’s clear he doesn’t want to talk to me. However, if he had to pick between me and Cherry, I think maybe I stand a chance at being his first choice.

Maybe.

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