“Hey, Miller.” Rosie greeted him with a tired smile and a bandana in her hair that had taken the brunt of the paint drippings. “Thanks for helping.”
Miller gave her a brief side hug. “Put me to work.”
Olivia leaned closely and whispered low in my ear. “If you’re wondering if he hugs Rosie the same way he hugs you, the answer is no.”
“I wasn’t wondering,” I hissed.
But Olivia only laughed and walked away with Aunt Frannie.
“I’d like you two to take the back supply room.” Rosie pointed a paintbrush in the direction of our assignment. “Sylvie will keep the girls entertained.”
“Sounds good.” Miller smiled down at me. “Let’s get some work done.”
“Yes, Hattie.” Rosie’s voice was sugary sweet as she looked from me to Miller. “You two see if you can’t get something done.”
* * *
Two hours later I was about to combust.
I wanted to file a complaint to the bookshop owner for cruel and unusual punishment.
The supply room barely fit one person, let alone two, and Miller and I had worked side by side for as long as I could take it. We’d bumped into one another so many times my body didn’t know how to lift a paintbrush without his touch. He’d easily carried the conversation, and I’d stumbled along, trying to form sentences while his deep timbre all but purred near my ear. These were inhumane work conditions, and I demanded to speak with management.
“I need a break.” I walked to the opposite end of the small room, sweat slicking the hair at my temples. I knew I looked like a disaster. Meanwhile Miller looked better than any profile photo I’d seen in weeks.
He took a drink from his water bottle then handed it to me. “You gotta stay hydrated. It’s hot back here.”
It certainly was. And that was the problem.
“Did you decide when we’re going to the rodeo?” he asked.
“No. Did you decide if you’re dating your ex?”
His eyed widened. “What?”
“What?” Oh gosh! I yanked my phone from my back pocket. “So I found a match.”
Miller blinked a few times, as if trying to find his bearings. “You did?”
“Yes. I’m pretty sure I’ve found my date for the wedding.”
There was that hyperfocus I knew so well. “Have you been talking to this guy already?”
“I have. I have a message composed ready to ask him to the big event. Just waiting for me to hit send.”
“When your sisters and I say we’d like to help vet these people, do you understand that means we’d like to see their profilesbeforeyou go on miserable dates with them?”
“I’ve only talked to the guy a little. It’s not like I’m five dates in.”
“Remind me, is the fifth date when you meet the roommate he calls mom or make out with him in his basement living quarters by the romantic glow of his gaming system?”
“This guy isn’t like that.”
Miller’s bitter laugh told me he wasn’t buying it. “Let’s see the one you’ve decided is worthy to be on your arm when you face down Ned.”
“I really think I did okay this time. We matched a couple of nights ago, and so far it’s going well.”
“You matched the night of the rodeo?”
