I would. Because Miller was a giant sinkhole of danger. “I won’t let you break my heart, Miller.”
Miller’s mouth slanted over mine and he smiled against my lips. “Then you can break mine.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ihad a date with Miller.
The next night I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and wondered what on earth I was doing. I’d sworn off relationships.
But that wasn’t what this was, right?
Nope. It was a date. We were hanging out. Super casual with zero agenda.
Gliding lipstick over my mouth, I gave a final check to my hair and makeup. I wore a sundress and cardigan, wedge sandals that showed off my bright pink toenails, and my hair hung in loose waves down my back. It felt good to be out of the usual attire of boots and jeans, but I wondered if Miller would think it was enough. He’d dated such sophisticated women. I’d Googled him last night and found countless photos of Miller and his dates at charity and community events in San Francisco. It was a needle to my already deflating confidence balloon.
The doorbell rang, startling me from my maudlin thoughts. It was go time. As long as Miller and I both understood my no-commitment stance, surely a few dates would be okay.
Opening the front door, Miller stood there, a vision in an Oxford shirt that matched his eyes. He wore shorts and flip-flops, and I was a little confused.
“You said to dress for a casual evening out.” I accepted his bouquet of daisies and told my heart to quit sighing.
“Yeah, an evening out on a boat.” He kissed my cheek then pulled me to him. “Hello, Hattie.”
“Hello, Miller.”
He took a step back but didn’t release me. “You’ve got your worried face on.”
“It’s one of my favorite accessories. It matches my Kate Spade bag fairly well.”
“I’m just glad you were brave enough to open the door.”
“I’ve been practicing for an hour.”
“It shows. Solid performance.” His smoldering gaze held fast as he offered me his hand. “Go out with me, Hattie Sutton.”
I hoped this wasn’t a huge mistake. I simply could not fall for Miller. Yet love was a slippery slope, and I was known to trip more than most.
I placed my hand in his, knowing I’d reached a point of no return.
* * *
Ishould’ve known when Miller said we were going out on a boat, he didn’t mean a two-person kayak or even a rented pontoon.
No, tonight I stood on the deck of a boat I could only assume was at least a cousin to a yacht as some guy in a navy blazer steered the craft. “Does this boat belong to you?” I asked.
“It’s a friend’s.” Miller handed me a glass of wine as he reached my side. “Next to parking in the valley on Hope Farms, floating on Beaver Lake is the best way to watch a sunset.”
It was, in a word, magnificent.
“How’s the birthday party prep for Ava coming along?” He refilled my wineglass. I was already tipsy with anticipation, my mind a fog of wants and wishes.
“Great.” I took a sip, enjoying the hints of peach on my tongue. “Olivia’s handling most of it. Want me to fill you in?”
“No, just keep sending me the bills. I trust you two to make it great. If it were up to me, Ava would have a princess party and vanilla ice cream.”
My laugh got lost in the shifting gears of the boat engine. “Poppy would definitely approve.”
The evening was cool, and the sky was a palette of majestic purples, pinks, and gold. Against the backdrop of the Ozark hills, it was a landscape to fall in love to.
