Page 59 of Love in Bloom

“Not so much an interrogation as an intervention,” Parker said. Miller held up his hands in surrender. “Guys, I’m not drinking, honest,” he said and reached across the table for his caramel roll. Mrs. Hart gently slapped his hand away.

“We didn’t say you were drinking,” Jackson said, “but something’s up. You’ve made excuses every time one of us has tried to do something with you in the last few weeks. From what I can tell, you’re either at home or at work. And it sounds like you’re antisocial at work, too. Croix has the role of rude hermit in this group, not you,” Jackson said, pushing his hair back. Miller didn’t care for Jackson’s tone, but he understood his concern. His behavior had been atypical.

“What Jackson is trying to say”—Mrs. Hart gave Jackson’s hand a pat—“is that we’re worried about you, and we’d like to help. But we can’t help you if we don’t know what the problem is.” She held up the roll and wiggled it, like a treat you’d tempt a dog with.Evil, she’s pure evil, Miller thought, without any venom. He didn’t want to talk, but he wanted the caramel roll. Surely he could talk but not say anything, right?

“Fine, you win,” he said in surrender, reaching for the roll, but Mrs. Hart shook her head.

“Talk first,” she commanded.

“She dumped me.” Mrs. Hart passed the caramel roll to Miller.

“Now that you’ve given us the end, enlighten us on the beginning and middle of this story. I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone,” Parker said, helping himself to more coffee.

“Well, I was, and she dumped me.”

“Someone dumped you? Mr. I-used-to-be-a-model-and-still-could-but-I’m-a-successful-lawyer-now?” Croix said around a mouthful of caramel roll.

“Being a lawyer was the problem. She didn’t want to be involved with me because of the partnership issue.”

“Because you weren’t a partner? What a gold digger!” Parker said.

“No, because I wasgoingto be a partner. I think she would have been OK if I was going to be an associate for the rest of my life.”

“So, why did she agree to date you knowing you were on track to be a partner?” Miller wished Parker would pull his reporter’s nose out of his business.

“I told her it would just be short term. Enjoy each other for the time being. Keep it light. Keep it easy.”

“So, what’s the problem with the break-up? You knew it was coming,” Croix said matter-of-factly. Miller didn’t say anything. He stuffed his mouth with more caramel roll.Can’t eat and hit Croix at the same time.

“Short term became long term in your mind and not hers, right?” Jackson guessed.

“Bingo,” Miller muttered.

“So, the thing you’ve been working toward is the thing that drove her away?” Croix’s voice sounded like it was a mixture of pity and amusement.

“Yes. No. I don’t know,” Miller said and shrugged. “It’s complicated.” He didn’t want to share Wren’s secrets. “She clung to the idea of short term. Maybe she really wasn’t interested in the long term. Maybe I had it wrong all along.”

“She might be scared,” Jackson said. “Maybe she’ll come around with time.”

“She’s scared and stubborn. She’s got it into her head that she’s not partner-wife material. I don’t think time will help with that.”

“Which do you want more, partnership or the girl?” Parker asked.

“I want both.”

“Well, you can’t have both, dumb-ass. That’s your problem,” Croix pointed out. “Pick one, accept it, and move on.”

“Thanks for the insight, Dr. Croix. I’ll get right on that.” Miller stood and began to clear the table.

“Maybe you can have both. Is there a way to shift things so you get what you want and she gets what she wants?” Jackson asked.

Miller sat back down with a huff. Evidently, the conversation wasn’t over. “I’m not following.”

“Is there a way for you to get the benefits of being a partner without actually being a partner? Or pushing back the partner goal for a year to give her more time to get used to the idea. Something like that.”

“I don’t know. Maybe.” Miller scraped up some remaining caramel from his plate and popped it into his mouth.

“You know, Miller,” Mrs. Hart said, “goals are important, but sometimes you need to change them when they no longer work for you. There’s no shame in that. Think about it.” She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Miller stood and started to clear the table again. The men made quick work of clean-up and soon they were outside saying their thanks and goodbyes to Mrs. Hart.

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