Page 95 of Here and Now
“I’ve loved working with the kids,” he admits. “I’m around miniature adults all day that act like kids, but when I’m at clinic with the boys, it’s just the fun. They’re funny and willing to learn. I can see why Doug likes to coach Ethan’s teams.”
“I have no athletic ability, so I just appreciate that there are parents and uncles who will step in,” I say, shifting to face him. “I’m glad that you were Kai’s coach.”
“I am too, Penelope. I am too.” The deep timbre in his voice leads me to think it’s not only because he likes Kai and the other boys.
I clear my throat. “Right. Well, I know Kai will be sad he won’t see you every week.”
“He won’t, huh?”
“Well, I mean, the clinic is over.”
He grins. “That’s not where I plan to see him.”
Oh.
He means me.
Sometimes I am so awkward it’s beyond embarrassing.
“You’re anticipating this to go beyond this date?”
“I told you, I’m a catch. You’re not going to want our date to end.”
I chuckle and then clear my throat. “I see. You’re going with the lay-it-on-thick strategy?”
“It’s more like the honesty and confidence side of it.”
“Isn’t the motto usually underpromise and overdeliver?”
“I’m more of a promise what you can deliver on,” he says with a smirk.
Could this man be any more adorable? I sure hope not.
Miles finds a spot right in front of the restaurant that’s a town over. Ember Falls has some options, but none of the places in town are fine dining. It’s more pizza, and there’s a bar at the end of Main Street.
“I hope you like whatever they’re serving tonight,” he says with a laugh.
“What does that mean?”
“Their menu ... well, it’s the best we’re going to get unless we want to drive an hour. It changes each day, depending on what side of the bed Marge wakes up on. Some days she feels a bit French, other days she thinks Italian. We just never know until we show up.”
“That’s . . . one business model.”
Not really sure how that works, but then again, we’re not the only car here, so clearly the people in the area just go with it.
“It’s something. I should also warn you that Marge is my gran’s best friend. She is going to do everything in her power to embarrass me. Anything she says is a lie.”
“Anything?”
“Literally anything.”
I grin. “So if she says you’re a great guy ...”
“I retract my last statement. Anythingbadshe says is a lie. I didn’t do it. I was the perfect child growing up. I have many great attributes and zero bad. No matter what she says.”
My lips form a tight line as I attempt to withhold my laughter. The look on his face is part fear and part joy. “I’ll do my best to keep the good and discard the bad.”
“Good. Stay there.”
