I sighed. “Michael will be back. He can probably handle things for a day.”
“He can. I am sure of it.”
“You don’t even know him.”
“Doesn’t matter. You hired him, so he’s talented and competent. He can run a goddamn diner for a day.”
I made a face. “It’s not easy, you know.”
“I know. Believe me.” He gathered me close, and I rested my head on his shoulder, thinking that if he just stayed still, I could sleep like this, standing up. “There’s a reason I chose writing as a profession. I don’t want to be in charge of people. I’m barely good at being in charge of myself. But you’re amazing at it. You’re so amazing that Michael has picked up on exactly what to do to keep this place going in your absence for a day. Or a week.”
I pulled away from him. “What week?”
“A vacation. You need a week off, I think.” He rubbed his hand over his jaw, then snapped his fingers. “A road trip. That’s it.”
“You’re insane. I can’t leave here for a week!”
“A road trip to…” Miles went on as if I hadn’t spoken. “Detroit!” His face lit up. “We’ll drive down to Detroit, spend a few days there hanging out, and I’ll show you all my favorite places. How about it?”
“A week? No way.” I folded my arms. “Can’t do it.”
“Then three days.” Miles took me by the wrists and shook my arms. “That’s all I ask. Three days of relaxation and fun with me, and then you can come back here, be a grown up and make that frowny face all you like.”
I snatched my arms away. “I don’t make a frowny face!”
He burst out laughing. “You do. It looks like this.” He set his jaw stubbornly, his bottom lip a little pouty, and squinted.
I winced. “Please tell me I do not make that face.”
“You do,” he assured me. “But I would too if I dealt with managing people day in and day out. Or if I just got out of a dead end relationship and needed to have some fun.”
I looked away, a little sadness seeping into my bloodstream for the first time today. I’d successfully avoided thinking too much about Dan, for the most part, unless it was to make unfavorable comparisons to Miles. But that wasn’t really fair. Miles wasn’t here to stay, either.
A week. That was his best offer.
Should I take it?
“I don’t know,” I said. “Let me think about it.”
Miles grabbed my face and planted a big kiss on my lips. “You’re adorable when you’re serious. It makes me want to spank you.”
“Shhhhhhhh!” I shoved his hands down. “Someone might hear you.”
“Good.” He grabbed me again, pulling my head to his chest and yanking on my hair. “Everyone should know the real you, you dirty slut.”
“Oh my God.” I pushed him away, but I had to laugh. “You are a horrible person, and I am too tired to deal with horrible people right now. That’s the whole reason I’m back here today.”
“Fine. I will go out and charm your customers for you.” He adjusted the crotch of his pants. “You’re welcome.”
? ? ?
Two hours later, Miles drove me back to my house, and I had a hard time staying awake on the ten-minute ride.
“Want to come in and nap with me?” I asked. “Then when we wake up, I can give you a tour.” I did want to show him the house, but honestly I just didn’t want to part with him yet. The moment he left my side I’d have to deal with the fallout of my relationship, including the fact that Dan had cheated on me, and I didn’t think I was ready to face that yet. Miles was the perfect distraction, and I was giving myself permission to be distracted for the time being. Something I’d never done before.
“Hell, yes.” He turned off the car, and pulled the key from the ignition. “You were right. Working that place is exhausting.”
I smiled. “Only on no sleep. Otherwise it can be fun. Come on in.”
Bleary-eyed, we stumbled into my house, managed to get up the stairs, and tumbled across my bed sideways, me on my stomach and Miles on his back, our legs hanging off the side. We didn’t even take off our shoes, didn’t say another word, didn’t move for hours, waking only when my phone rang. I heard it, but it sounded far away, like it was in a dream. Eventually I realized what it was and reached into my purse, which rested near my head. The screen said Skylar.
“Hello?” I croaked.
“Hey, where are you?”
“I’m home.” I wiped drool from my mouth and frowned at the wet spot on my comforter. “Why?”
“Dinner at Mom and Dad’s, remember?”
“Oh crap. No, I didn’t.”
“Well, come over. We’re waiting for you.”
I thought about making an excuse and turning her down. What could I say? My mind was a dead zone, and all I could do was whine. “But I’m tiiiired.”
“Come on, Mom’s grilling Italian sausage.” She laughed. “And you need some sausage.”
“Hahaha.”
Miles opened his eyes, rubbed his face with one hand, and looked over at me. “Did someone say sausage?”
Ten minutes later, we were on our way to my parents’ house.