Page 36 of Deception & Daylight
There’s something hopeful in her tone, and I nod. “I’ll be around.”
Chapter 15
Mags
?Too Sweet - Hozier
“What’s that far off look in your eyes?” Paige asks from across the brown leather couch we’re sharing at Chapters and Brews. We’re surrounded by the combined scent of fresh coffee and new books, massive overstuffed bookshelves filling the space. The windows look out onto Main Street, and I’ve been people watching for several minutes while Paige peruses the new releases. It’s just the two of us today, and it feels good to spend some one on one time with my best friend. I’ve been distant lately, and the guilt has really been eating away at me. It’s not Paige’s fault I’m a hot mess.
My brow furrows as I take another sip of my dirty chai. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
Paige places her stack of books on the coffee table and crosses her arms over her chest, leaning into the cushion as if she’s preparing for battle. “I know it’s not the latte that has you looking like that. Spill.”
“Miles kissed me,” I blurt the words before I can stop myself, and every emotion under the sun cycles through me in that moment. I’m conflicted about the whole thing for so many reasons, but if I had to go back and do it over again, I wouldn’t stop him.
“You’re fake dating, right? It makes sense that would be part of the arrangement.”
“No, I mean…yes…but no. Miles really kissed me. No witnesses.” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, feeling my cheeks heat at the confession. Something shifted that night. I stopped the kiss before it could go too far, but the conversation that followed was far more intimate than what might’ve happened if I hadn’t pushed him away.
Paige tilts her head assessingly. “I’m not seeing the problem, babe. Was it good?” she asks. My lips curl into a faint smile as I recall the way his tongue slid against mine, and the feel of his hands caressing my body with a reverence I hadn’t expected. Her eyes light up when she catches minuscule movement. “I knew it! Tell me everything.”
“There’s not much to tell. I mean, yeah, he’s a good kisser. Great, even. Ten out of ten, would recommend kissing Miles Barlow. But I freaked out and pushed him away.”
“Look, I’m no therapist, but maybe it’s finally time to tell me what happened between you two.” She looks hopeful, and I consider telling her everything, but ultimately decide against it. That’s not a time in my life I want to revisit.
“It’s fine. Really. Water under the bridge.” I want to believe that, but there’s something holding me back from truly letting go of the past.
A look of defeat crosses her features before she asks, “Ok. So why did you push him away?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. Probably fear. I’m not staying, so it would only end up hurting one or both of us if we developed feelings for each other again.”
“Wait. Again?” Shit. I was hoping she wouldn’t catch that slip up.
I groan, and a smile breaks out over my best friend’s face. “Nope. Not going there.”
“Ugh fine. You’re the worst.” she grumbles.
“You don’t mean that. Come on, let’s go pay for your haul and make Cade’s bank account hurt a little.”
“I’ll have you know this is going to hurtmybank account.”
“Oh. Well, fuck. That’s no fun.”
She laughs, then grabs the stack of books and links her arm through my elbow, resting her head on my shoulder. “You know you can tell me, right?”
“But I don’t have to, and that’s why I love you. If I asked you to show up at the inn with a tarp and a shovel, you’d ask if I need duct tape, too. ”
“Not bringing duct tape would be a massive oversight.” We both dissolve into a fit of giggles as Paige places her book haul on the checkout counter. We’re never far from peeing your pants laughing when we’re together, and it feels good to banter with my bestie again.
Having heard at least the tail end of our conversation, Mo eyes us warily. “I’m not a narc, but maybe you should be less open about your murder plans, ladies.”
Miles
I can’t help but watch Maggie out of the corner of my eye as she furiously scribbles something on her notepad before returning to her typewriter. She’s sitting cross-legged on the porch swing, looking gorgeous in a pale pink sundress with thin straps and a mouthwatering thigh high slit.
We’ve been doing this fake dating thing for less than a week, but it’s starting to feel less like an act, and more like… I don’t know exactly. She’s all fire and ice, and I’m constantly trying to figure her out, but Maggie is like a magnet and I’m helpless against her pull.
The floorboards creak when I step into view, and she momentarily glances up from her typewriter when I take a seat next to her. “How’s the book coming along?”
