Page 33 of Beautiful Defiance

“Miles. It’s Miles.”

“I haven’t seen you at Cambridge High.”

“Don’t go there. Graduated last year. My dad wanted me to get my ass to DU, but I can wait a year or two. He needs my help with the diner.”

Nice of him. “Do you have openings?”

“If you’re up for working every Friday and Saturday night, then yeah, my family can use the help. Game nights are always busy, and Saturdays just are. Does that work?”

“Absolutely. When do I start?”

“Is tomorrow okay? We have tonight covered for Cambridge’s home game against Delridge.”

A game I won’t be at. My dad loved football. When he wasn’t working, we would spend Saturdays watching college football and Sundays and Thursdays watching NFL football. That was our dad and daughter routine. To watch football without him… I sigh. I miss him.

“Tomorrow is great. Thank you. I appreciate you giving me a job. I mean, you don’t even know me.”

“We can talk more. Are you in a hurry? If you are, I can make the shakes so you can get going.”

Miles is nice. Easy on the eyes too. He’s lanky and tall. Was probably an athlete. I’m guessing track or basketball. His blond hair is short on the sides and unruly on the top. And there is so much depth to his green eyes, a girl can stare into them and lose herself. Miles is gorgeous.

“I’d love to stick around, but my friend is waiting for me.”

Sorrow isn’t, but I haven’t seen her since Seven took me to the hospital, and I need to make sure she’s okay. She’s not a fan of surprises. Buttering her up with a milkshake will make her less pissed at me for stopping by during daylight hours.

“Is this friend of yours a boyfriend?”

I picture Seven and how his eyes never left mine when we kissed. On the corners of our mouths. God, that was hot. Chaste and simple but so freaking hot.

“Not that you and I should start anything if we’re to work together.”

Am I dreaming? This guy has the moral compass of an entity.

“A friend girl,” I offer. “She’s had a rough week. A surprise milkshake will make her day.”

“We all need friends, don’t we?”

“We sure do.”

We smile. He makes the milkshakes. I leave the diner with a spring to my steps. Two friends. I’ve made two friends, and they are good people. I cannot wait to tell Sorrow about Miles. They would like one another. If only I can get Sorrow to leave her house.

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