Page 51 of Heart Set on You

“I’m embarrassed I’m not cooking for you at the house, but it’s all set up for the shower tomorrow,” Grace explains, looking at Miles and I from across the table. “I promise to make you a home-cooked meal the next time you visit.”

I smile and wave off her apologies, all the while trying not to hang on too tightly to her mention of a next time.

Our glasses are filled – white wine for most of us, with a virgin Mojito for Ellie – and then Jules turns her attention to me.

“You’re from Tennessee?” she asks with interest.

“I am, but I moved to Los Angeles almost four years ago for school. It’s been a while since I’ve been back home, but I’ll be moving back once we wrap filming in Vancouver.”

“That’s soon, isn’t it? Less than a month?” she says, a wide-eyed look on her face. She looks to Miles with curiosity. I’m not sure what to say. Miles picks up on it and steps in to answer for me.

“Rylee’s grandparents live on a farm in Deer Lake, where she’s from. They’re getting older and could use her help.” I feel his warm hand on my knee through the thin cotton of my dress. He keeps it there, calming me.

“Is Deer Lake far from Nashville? I’ve always wanted to go,” Jules asks, holding the stem of her wine glass and swirling the Pinot Grigio in careful circles.

“It’s only ‘bout an hour and a half away. Nashville is so much fun. Especially if you like country music.”

The entire table points at Olivia and Mrs. Bennett, then everyone laughs when the two of them raise their hands. “We do,” Olivia says, waving her hand back and forth between herself and Miles’ mom. “We love it all, from Reba and Hank to Florida Georgia Line.” Olivia goes on to tell me how she’s made her mother-in-law a country music fan. Parker’s sitting next to her with his arm draped behind her back, giving her I-love-you eyes.

“If y’all ever want to go, I’d be happy to meet you there and show you around.”

Olivia eyes Ellie and Jules with a mischievous grin. “Who’s in for a girls’ trip?”

The show of hands is unanimous. “One condition,” Ellie says, pointing her finger to the ceiling. “This trip needs to happen after this baby is born.”

“You sure about that, Ellie?” Parker asks, eyebrows raised. “I seriously doubt my hotshot lawyer brother can figure out how to change a diaper without you there to talk him through it. Actually, it would make my day to watch him try. Start planning that trip, ladies.”

Liam leans back in his chair and folds his arms over his chest.

“Says the guy who acts like an oversized toddler most of the time. Do you need me to help you cut up your dinner, Parker?”

Mrs. Bennett sighs from across the table. “Don’t mind them, Rylee. They’ve been this way since they were boys. I couldn’t stop it if I tried – and I have tried.”

Jules steers the conversation back towards me. “Okay, Rylee. I have a serious question and I want an honest answer from you.”

I nod, my heart suddenly in my throat.

“Are there any hot guys in Nashville? Because I am so done with the men here in Reed Point.”

I laugh, relieved. “Oh, I’m sure you could find one or two,” I assure her.

While we dine on freshly baked sourdough bread and blue-cheese wedge salads, Miles shares stories from Vancouver, filling them in on the cast and crew, describing the stunning oceanfront home he’s been living in for the past almost six weeks. Grace wants to know more about the farm, and how Miles and I met, so we tell them all about that first day in the rain when Miles swooped in like he was some sort of superhero. She also asks me about my photography, which she says Miles has told her all about. I secretly light up inside at the thought of him talking to his mom about me. I wonder what else he has told her.

I soon discover that Jules likes to talk, and she peppers me with nonstop questions while we eat. She’s not one of those people who talk just to hear the sound of their own voice – she seems genuinely interested in my answers. When I tell her I have two very protective older brothers, she grabs my hand on the table.

“Nobody understands what my life is like, having three older brothers who have something to say about every single guy I meet,” she groans.

“Oh, I do,” I tell her. “I’m a part of that same club. My brothers and I are really close, but they seem to think they should weigh in on who I date. Sometimes it’s too much.”

“I have a feeling they’ll like my brother. Miles is a really good guy and he obviously cares about you. You know he looks at you like you’re the only person in the room.”

My heart soars. I know it shouldn’t, but I can’t stop it. I’ve always felt the heat in Miles’ gaze when he looks at me, right from the beginning, and I like knowing that I’m not the only one who sees it.

After dinner, we walk out into the warm night air and say our goodbyes, making plans for tomorrow. Miles and I had walked to the restaurant from the beach house, so we take our time strolling back, stopping at an ice cream shop along the way, where we each order a double scoop. It’s a beautiful night and there are people milling around the beach. The shadowy outline of the bluffs up ahead is painted across the skyline. It’s a stunning view. Miles is stopped a couple of times by fans politely asking for a photo, but for the most part people leave us alone.

“You look happy, Miles. I think you needed this trip home.”

“Are you saying I’m not normally happy?” he asks, wrapping his arms around my middle from behind and kissing the back of my neck. I love being this close to him, his big strong arms and warm chest clasped so tightly around me that it feels like we are one person. My muscles loosen and my mind relaxes. My body melts into his. I want every day to end like this, with Miles.

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