His tone was playful, the sparkle in his eyes suggesting he was teasing—but my stomach twisted anyway.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, folding my arms tightly over my chest, hip cocked with a bit more bite than I intended.
Miles straightened, clearing his throat. His response came fast, words rushing to correct. “I was just messing around. You know, like when you stormed into my restaurant like a bat out of hell? I swear the ground shook beneath your boots.”
“It wasvalid,” I shot back, defending myself before I could think better of it.
Anyone who had to listen to hammering and banging all day would actcrazytoo.
“Ellie,” he said more gently now, stepping forward. His voice softened. “I didn’t mean it like that. I was just trying to joke, I swear.” He reached for my hands, wrapping his fingers around mine.
I exhaled slowly, letting my eyes fall closed.
Maybe I was overreacting. I was so accustomed to assuming the worst, that people were constantly judging. But Miles wasn’t from here.
I laughed it off, brushing it away as I picked up my coffee and took another sip.
Miles studied me, those smoky eyes full of something unreadable. He stepped back a little, his body relaxing when he saw I wasn’t mad anymore.
“I gotta admit,” I murmured, fighting a grin. “Itwaskind of funny.”
Relief broke across his face. “Good.”
He leaned forward, forearms resting on the counter. “So, what’s on Ellie Cassidy’s agenda today?”
I held up the clipboard and gave it a little wave. “Well, I’ve got a stack of flower orders to finish, but only for half the day. Sandy’s covering the rest.”
“Oh?” he asked, curiosity lacing his tone. “Taking a half day for something fun?”
“I wish,” I replied. “I’m moving into the apartment above the shop this weekend, and I’m embarrassingly behind on packing.”
He nodded, then asked, “Need an extra pair of hands?”
It was sweet. Truly. His offer made my heart tug a little. But the truth was, the space upstairs wasn’t huge. I already had Logan’s rather large frame and larger muscles helping, and having them both in the apartment may be a little claustrophobic.
Waving a hand, I shook my head. “Thanks, but I think I’m good. My friend Logan’s helping, and he’s got more than enough muscle.”
I laughed softly at the image of Logan carrying boxes two at a time, but when I glanced back at Miles, he hadn’t moved. The coffee cup stilled in his hand, and the easy atmosphere shifted into something tense and a bit awkward.
I couldn’t put my finger on why.
Then, he offered a smile, gracious and kind. “Well, if anything changes… you know where to find me.”
I nodded, trying to ease the moment. “What about you? Big plans today?”
He told me about a contractor waiting for him at the restaurant—nothing too exciting, but it was enough to melt the weirdness between us. We talked for a few more minutes until he glanced toward the door.
“I should go,” he said. “But before I do…”
He paused, shifting his weight. His eyes found mine again, and something in them made my breath catch.
“How would you feel about going out with me?”
I blinked, taken aback. “As in?”
His grin was slow, charming. “A date, Ellie.”
“A date?” The words spilled from my lips before the filter could catch them.