Page 95 of Heart Set on You

She shakes her head. “Miles Michael Bennett, I’m surprised at you. Of course she needs you there.”

“I doubt she would see it that way, Mom,” I say with frustration in my voice, knowing it’s a lie. I’m just in a shit mood and mad at the world. I’m on edge and I’m tired of this ache in my chest.

My mother crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at me. “Miles, this isn’t you. My boy goes after what he wants. I’ve never known you to sit around and sulk.”

“I’m not sulking, Mom. I’m just tired.”

And I’m in love with her.

I’m also 100 percent sulking, but I’m never going to admit it. I’m pissed that Rylee is thousands of miles away and I can’t stop thinking about her. I’m angry that my mom is right, and this long-distance thing is bullshit. And frustrated because I don’t know how to fix any of it.

“Mom, I…“ I start, then stop, not even sure what I want to say next. My mother suddenly covers her mouth with her hand.

“You’re in love with her,” she exclaims, her eyes instantly misty. “Miles? Are you in love?”

I try not to look surprised but can feel my cheeks heat up. There is no dodging this question. My mom has always been able to read me like a book. I sigh. “Majorly.”

“Aw, son. I’m so happy for you,” my mom says, pressing her hands to her heart. “She is a great girl. Your father and I think she’s wonderful. Right, Michael?” She looks to my dad for backup.

I couldn’t ask for more supportive parents. I won the lottery being born to Michael and Grace Bennett. I don’t take that for granted.

“We do. You picked a good one. You should listen to your mother. She’s some sort of love guru. How do you think she landed a catch like me?” he teases, and my mom reaches over to swat his arm with a tea towel.

“Listen, sweetheart. It’s time to stop sulking and do something about it. I can’t stand to watch you moping around here all lovesick anymore.”

“Are you done, Mom?” I ask, irritated, pushing my plate to the center of the island. She fills her cup with hot water from the kettle and sinks a tea bag into it. She rounds the end of the island, taking the seat beside me.

“I’m only worried about you, Miles. You’ve always been so stubborn. You love her, son. Don’t let her get away.”

“Mom,” I groan. “I love you, but you don’t know what you’re talking about. Tennessee is her home. Her family needs her. She’s happiest there.”

I’m happiest with her.

“Says you, and that is not your decision to make. That girl didn’t step out of her comfort zone for the whole world to judge her just so she could say she’s dating a Hollywood star. She doesn’t care about any of that. It’s you, Miles. The real you. She doesn’t love Miles Bennett, the movie star. She loves my boy, Miles Bennett from Reed Point. And I see the way you look at her. If you don’t think that’s enough of a reason to give this thing between the two of you a shot, then I don’t know what to tell you.”

I sit up in my chair, resting my elbows on the marble counter, my head in my hands. “I don’t want to complicate things for her.”

“You already have. You did the moment you decided she was worth risking your heart for. The moment you let her in and gave her a piece of the real you.”

I blow out a frustrated breath, my gaze dropping to my phone and the lock screen photo of Rylee and me. It’s the selfie we took at the farm. My arm is around her waist and I’m kissing her, a ray of sunshine cutting through the photo. She looks fucking breathtaking, and I would give anything to have her here with me right now.

“You have it all, sweetheart. The houses, the cars, the fame, the talent. Your father and I always knew you would. But none of that means anything without someone to share it with.” She pats my knee with her palm. “I’m going to leave you with that.”

She grabs her glasses and her crossword puzzle book from the counter then slips off her stool. “I love you, Miles, and I really like her.”

“I know.”

“I can see she means a lot to you. I hope she knows that. I hope you tell her. This can all be worked out.” She kisses the side of my head.

“I love you too, Mom,”

For the rest of the day, I can’t get my mom’s words out of my head.

Someone to share it with.

I do want that, and I want it with Rylee. This distance between us is the definition of torture. Everything reminds me of Rylee. She’s all I think about. Yesterday I struggled to learn my lines for a guest appearance I’m shooting, too busy remembering the feel of her lips when I finally kissed her. This morning I was 20 minutes late for a Zoom call with Matthew, distracted by a selfie she sent me. Then I spent the call in a daze, thinking about the constellation of freckles across her nose while Matthew talked to me about God knows what.

The truth is my heart is in Tennessee. My heart is wherever Rylee is.

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