Page 42 of Catching Feelings

?CHAPTER TEN

ROWAN

Something shifted with Miles while we were on the mountain, but I’m not sure what it was. He’s always been flirty with me. Maybe not as dirty as he is—or was—with Kendall, but flirty, nonetheless.

We’re quiet as he drives down Route One, which is unusual. He’s always chatty, joking, the life of the party.

While I’m not a wallflower, I’m definitely no life of the party. Maybe that’s the reason for this uncomfortable silence. He’s used up all his quota of making conversation with the nice girl who isn’t like the thin models with surgically enhanced boobs who usually hang off him everywhere he goes.

Not that I have anything against reconstructive surgery. If it makes a woman—or a man—feel better about themselves, then I’m all for it.

Still, being nothing more than a friend shouldn’t bother me. That’s what I’ve thought of Miles for the two years I’ve known him.

A friend. A hilarious, fun, flirty friend.

More recently, a hilarious, fun, flirty friend whose face pops into my head at the most inconvenient times. Like when I’m trying to get off by myself or while sexting Adam.

I squirm in the front seat and tuck my hands under my thighs.

“You cold? I can turn on the seat warmers.” Miles reaches for the button to heat my seat, but I wave his hand away.

I’m already burning on the inside, no need to exasperate it by lighting my ass on fire.

“I’m good.”

“Mind if we hit up a couple outlets in Kittery before we eat?”

“Was taking me on a hike a ploy to get me to help you shop again?” I tease.

“No.” He laughs. “But I’m all about taking advantage of an opportunity. Not that I’m trying to take advantage of you.”

My body wouldn’t mind.Ugh. Stop. Miles doesn’t really mean that. He respects me, which is disappointing. Messed up. I know.

“I don’t mind. What are we shopping for today?”

“My sister has crap for appliances and cooking shit in her apartment. She’s using it as an excuse to not eat or to eat poorly.”

My heart pitter patters at the way he takes care of his sister and his aunt.

“Does she like grad school?”

“Like? Hard to tell. In case you didn’t notice in your two-minute interaction with her last month, she’s a bit surly.”

“Right. The grump to your sunshine.”

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