Page 67 of Love in Bloom

“Thank you. Your faith in my talent means a lot. To be honest, I have thought about it. Someday, maybe. I’m just not sure how it would work now.” She felt him tense.

“Damn, he’s headed this way,” Miller muttered.

“Who?”

“Jordan something or other. A cousin on Jackson’s side he had to invite. Guy’s a jerk. He met up with us in Milwaukee and bragged that he’s banged a bridesmaid at every wedding he’s ever been to. We’re keeping an eye on all of you in case he gets too handsy.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself.” Wren stepped back and the ice maiden stepped in.

“I know you can, which is why the idea of rescuing you is so appealing.”

“I don’t need rescuing, either,” the ice maiden said. Wren was eager for Jordan’s interruption. She needed to escape Miller’s arms.OK, maybe I do need rescuing, she thought bitterly.

“Can I drive you home?” Miller asked. He must have sensed his time was almost up.

“That’s not necessary. I have the delivery van. Thank you.”

“Then let me know when you go. I need to show you something. Please?” Wren nodded yes as Jordan cut in to their dance.

She’d follow Miller. She owed him that much. She’d see whatever it was he wanted her to see, and then she’d be done with the whole thing. Following Miller was her penance. And her crime was loving a man she couldn’t have.

MillerwatchedWrenallnight. Every time she was on the dance floor, his stomach knotted. From the number of times Jordan had asked Wren to dance, Miller guessed the guy was hoping to add her to his statistic. He would have stepped in, but he enjoyed watching Wren handle him. From the cold looks she’d given him, Miller guessed Wren was treating Jordan to her ice-maiden routine, which she used in social situations to maintain manners and proper decorum or when she felt threatened. She also used prickly. Those were her two tells. When the prickly ice maiden showed up, he knew he had to gently push through the brick wall around her heart.

After watching her remove Jordan’s hand from her ass for about the eighth time, Wren left the dance floor and Jordan walked toward Krista. Miller saw Croix stand up from their table and move toward Krista. Wren stood on the opposite side of the dance floor and turned her head as if scanning the crowd. Miller was embarrassed by how much he hoped she was looking for him. Their eyes met. He mouthed the question ‘Now?’ and she nodded. He wiped his hands on his pants.Go time.

Miller’s SUV crept through downtown Haven. The streets weren’t busy this time of night, but he didn’t want to lose her. He’d been too nervous to give her the address, and she hadn’t asked for it. He debated which door to use. Neither made a great first impression. He settled on the back door. He knew he’d look suspicious fumbling with the lock on the street side.

“Hold this.” He handed Wren a flashlight so he could unlock the backdoor. “Watch your step,” he warned as they entered the building. Wren followed too closely and stumbled into him when he halted. He reached for her hand to steady her. She didn’t pull it away.

Since signing the lease, they’d added lightbulbs in the sockets, cleaned, and framed in the various rooms. It was an overwhelming work in progress.

Miller pushed on a creaky door. He led her into the dark space, fumbling to find the new light switch. Once he did, he stretched his arms wide in the middle of the room and declared, “Welcome to Fortress Advisers, where we protect your assets. Accounting services by Croix Adams, financial planning by Rica Palma, and legal services by Miller Lynch.” He watched Wren look around wide-eyed and, for once, her sassy mouth was sealed shut. Miller used his free hand to point out where the different rooms would be.

“I-I don’t understand. What about AAS? Partnership?” Wren jerked her hand out of his and stepped away.

“They offered. I turned them down and quit. Everything I wanted from being a partner I can get from being my own boss.”

“But partnership was your goal.” She wrapped her arms around herself, as if warning him to stay away.

“Goals change,” he explained. Wren remained silent. She stood there looking at everything. Miller hoped she was envisioning how great it would look when it was finished, but based on her body language she was most likely envisioning his head on a silver platter. “Follow me.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her up the stairs.

“We’re thinking of using the south side for storage. Our goal is to be as paperless as possible, but you can’t escape some filing.” He tried to coax a smile out of her. Wren had complained that filing and storage were the bane of her existence. Nothing. No reaction.

“With the plumbing, we can run a line up here and install a sink. That large window looks out onto the river, and if we add a few skylights on the north side, here and here”—Miller gestured to their proposed locations—“then you’d have great afternoon light.” Miller stopped to catch his breath.

Wren dropped his hand and wandered over to the window. Her blank expression reflected back at him.She’s probably shocked. You need to stay calm,he reminded himself as he walked to her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her back into him. She didn’t resist. He wrapped his arms around her.

“We’re also looking for a part-time receptionist and manager. You could paint part-time and work for us part-time. Or you could paint full-time and we’ll hire someone else. Or we can clear out my home office and you can use that as a studio instead.”

“Lots of options,” she said flatly.

“Wren, weren’t you listening to my speech? I want there to be an us. I’ll do whatever it takes to make this work.” Wren shrugged out of his embrace and stepped away.

“I won’t freeload off you,” the ice maiden said with her head held high.

“Good, because most of my money’s tied up in starting this business.”She’s scared.

“I don’t need your charity.”She’s terrified.

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