Page 10 of Catching Feelings

“I get it. You’re a big shot around here and the ladies can’t help falling all over you.”

“Not gonna lie. It can be a perk of the job. But the married ladies freak me out. Especially when they act like that in front of their kids. She had her claws out. At one point, I thought she was going to rip out my stitches and I was going to bleed out again.”

“Stitches? Did you need to go back to the doctor? It’s been two weeks. You should be healed by now.” I unbuckle and scoot up to my knees, peering down at his ribs. “Let me see.”

“If you want me to take my clothes off, all you have to do is ask.”

I smack his arm. “Seriously, Miles. Why didn’t you tell me the cut got worse?” I reach for the hem of his shirt and lift it, scanning the healing wound. It’s still pink, but it’s healed nicely, and there’s no evidence he needed real stitches.

“Miles,” I scold, locking my eyes with his.

The temperature in the truck climbs. Or maybe it’s his skin heating under my hand. Or it’s the intensity of his stare. Geesh. This man has too much sex appeal. It should be banned. I try to swallow my lust and his gaze follows the movement of my throat.

I suddenly realize how close we are in the cab of the truck. His mouth is only inches from mine. Has he always had such full lips? Has the color of his eyes always looked like melted caramel? I clear my throat and plant myself back in my seat.

“You’re a pain in the butt.” I fasten my seatbelt and stare out the front window.

His deep chuckle fills the truck, then he starts it up and backs out of the parking space. “Sorry, Row. You’re fun to tease. My boo-boo is perfectly healed, thanks to you.”

He turns right instead of left out of the parking lot, going in the opposite direction of my apartment.

“Where are we going?”

“Figured I owed you lunch after giving up your day to help me shop, and for putting up with my shit.”

“Hm. Yes, lunch seems only fair.”

We ride in comfortable silence until he pulls into the lot next to a cute sandwich shop. The windows are decorated with navy-blue-and-white-striped awnings, and the rustic yet farmhouse-chic sign should be out of place in Boston, but it’s charming.Subs for Miles.

“This okay?”

“It’s adorable. I’ve never heard of this place. Is it a coincidence or did they name this place after you?”

He holds the front door open for me and I step past him into the deli-style sandwich shop. It’s small. There are three pub tables and three four-top tables, which are mostly filled, and an open kitchen so you can watch the workers make your salad or sandwich.

The teenager closest to us looks up and smiles. “Hey, Miles.” She doesn’t have stars in her eyes like most women do when they see him. I take it he’s a regular here.

“You guys been busy, Callie?”

“Steady for a Saturday.” She glances at me, raises her brow, then calls over shoulder to a woman who’s had her back to us. “Lynn. Miles is here. With aguest.”

The woman behind her spins on her heels and gasps, her eyes darting between Miles and me.

“Hey, Auntie.”

Auntie?This adorable woman, who can’t be any taller than five feet, is related to the giant standing next to me?

“Miles, honey. You didn’t tell me you were stopping by today.” She wipes her hands on her apron and pushes through the salon-style swinging doors.

Miles engulfs his aunt in a hug and picks her up off her feet. “Rowan and I were hungry, so I figured I’d show off the place.”

Miles releases his aunt and she grips my forearms with her hands. “It’s so nice to meet you, Rowan. She’s lovely,” she says to him.

“Of course she is.” Miles drapes an arm over my shoulder and hugs me into his side like we’re an item.

I quirk my eye at him and wiggle my way out of his arms. “It’s nice to meet you, Lynn”

“Likewise. Come sit and tell me about yourself.”

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