Page 37 of Beginnings By the Sea

Miles nodded in agreement. “Me too, but they knew you were working and didn’t want to bother you. But,” he said, his lips pulling back into a grin, “you’ll see them in three weeks at the wedding. It’s going to be a good time.” He pointed at all the stuff on the floor. “But again, do you need help tomorrow morning?”

It just so happened that Jensen and Cohen were supposed to help me and the girls set up. What shocked me was that he didn’t call last night, which was strange for him. A part of me felt guilty for all the time I’d spent with Miles behind Cohen’s back. Miles only kissed me that one time, and he knew I didn’t want things to go further until everything was settled. Still, I dreaded seeing Cohen and telling him everything that had happened. I never expected Miles to come back into my life and turn my world on its axis. It was something I’d always wanted, and I just didn’t realize how hard it would hit me until I saw him in that parking lot.

“As much as I’d love your help, I don’t know if it’ll be wise,” I said, biting my lip nervously.

Miles’s grin faded and he sighed. “Let me guess, lover boy’s supposed to help you?”

I rolled my eyes. “I think so. He and Jensen had planned on it weeks ago. It’s just I haven’t spoken to him. He didn’t call last night.”

Miles lifted his brows. “What do you think is going on?”

I shrugged. “Not sure. He’s supposed to get back tonight.”

He cleared his throat, his gaze narrowed. “And are you going to tell him about us when he does?”

My chest tightened with dread. “That’s my plan. I feel so bad about it.” By the smug grin on his face, it was obvious he found too much joy in it. “You don’t have to look so happy about it,” I said, pursing my lips.

He shrugged. “I know I shouldn’t feel that way. But I know how any man could fall for you all too well. Guess I should feel sorry for the guy.”

I walked over to the box of cake pops and closed it up. “If I need your help setting up, I’ll be sure to call,” I assured him.

Miles chuckled from behind me. “Don’t worry. I’ll still be there. I have to see who my competition is for the auction.”

I picked up the box and turned to face him. “I’m so ready for tomorrow to come and go.”

Miles winked. “I just hope I win the grand prize. If not, at least the money’s going to a good cause.”

The two charities I chose to send the proceeds to are CancerCare and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. My mom had been diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago, but she was lucky enough to beat it.

“How’s your mom been doing?” Miles asked. “Everything good with her health?”

“She’s great,” I replied, remembering the last time my parents had come to visit. They had such a blast that I was sure they would eventually move down here. “My parents like it here,” I told him. “I keep waiting for them to say they’re buying a house close by.”

Miles smiled and shook his head. “Hopefully, they will. You’ll have everything here if they do.”

“What about you?” I wondered. “You said you’d move down here to be with me. Are you still planning on doing that?”

Miles leaned in, his eyes piercing mine with an intense longing that sent shivers down my spine. “I’m waiting on you to say the words. When you want me to move, I will.”

Even though I knew I wanted to be with him, it was too soon to plan it. We still needed time together to get to know each other again as we were both different people than the ones we were when we were still married.

Miles waited patiently for my response, so I squeezed his hand.

“We’ll figure it out together.”

We stared at each other, and it was so easy to get lost in his eyes. But then, the sound of children squealing with delight broke the trance.

Miles laughed and nodded toward the door. “Sounds like they’re having fun. What do you say we go find something to do since you’re done with work for the day?”

Excitement coursed through every fiber of my being. “That sounds great to me.”

It was still early in the afternoon, and we had plenty of time to do all sorts of things. However, there was one place on my mind that would be perfect.

“I know where we can go,” I said, clutching the box of cake pops in my arms. “And we have these awesome treats to keep us company on the way.”

Miles cocked his head to the side, his expression curious. “Where do you want to go?”

I nodded toward the door. “Airlie Gardens in Wilmington. It’s about an hour’s drive, but it’s a beautiful place.”

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