33. Chapter Thirty-three

I'd been to Peak Strategies several times, but never unannounced, and never as Miles' real girlfriend. But I had an idea I needed to discuss with him, and…

Well, I just wanted to see him in the middle of the day.

This man had flipped me from an emotional, pining mess to a pile of loved-up goo. I'd never known myself capable of being gooey. I'd certainly loved Andy, but I'd never felt this inner squishiness around him. Since my big conversation with Miles last week, I'd caught myself thinking of him and squealing and kicking my feet multiple times.

I was happy and excited for what was to come.

Rebecca, the receptionist at Peak, showed me to Miles' office, telling me I'd gotten lucky and he had a meeting-free afternoon. When I opened his door and he immediately beamed at me from behind his desk, I certainly felt lucky.

"What? My girlfriend is here for a surprise visit?" He shot out of his seat and bounded straight for me.

Behind me, Rebecca laughed. "Have a nice lunch, you two." She closed the door firmly right before Miles got to me and swept me off my feet.

"Careful, I have sushi," I admonished without any actual force.

He stopped mid-spin and stared at me. "You brought me my girlfriend and food? Fuck, Cupcake, I've fallen in love with you all over again."

"You're very easy to please."

"Only you hold the key."

He planted a kiss on my lips and set me on my feet. "Is this going to be a thing now? Are you going to appear out of nowhere and brighten my lonely days?"

I snorted. "I was told it"s hard to catch you in your office at this time most days since you're always out for client meetings or grabbing lunch for everyone."

He directed me to the round table where we'd sat the first time I'd come here. "I can stay put if it means you'll show up more often."

"God, you're sweet." I snagged the front of his shirt and dragged him down to me, kissing him hard and fast. "How about if I call first to make sure you're going to be around?"

He took the bag from me, placed it on the table, and yanked me into his arms. One hand slid up my spine into the back of my hair to cradle my head, then he leaned over, dipping me, and covered my mouth with his. It was a movie star kiss, not just in position but the sheer romanticism of it. I clung to him so I didn't tip over and lose contact.

"There," he whispered to my lips. "That's better. And yes, call or text. I'd kick myself if I wasn't here for a visit from you."

He let me go so we could sit down and allowed me to choose my sushi first, acting like he was doing something gentlemanly. We both knew if I didn't pick what I wanted before he started eating, he'd eat both our shares.

"Bea and I had a meeting this morning."

He looked up from his food. "Yeah? Was it productive?"

"Mmm. We made an order with the cheesemonger Saoirse told me about, and one with the supplier I use in France. Since Bea and I spoke about Millennial wine moms, she's brought in ten new bookings plus her sister's monthly order. She's contributing so much—and I would be screwed if she left. I brought up the possibility of becoming partners."

His expression gave nothing away. "Yeah? And what did she say?"

"She's into it. I know I should have talked to you about this first—"

"Why? Grazing is your business, Daisy. I helped you get it off the ground, but you—and Bea—have been the ones to fill your calendar. You charmed people at the events I took you to. Your social media presence has brought you customers. That's all you."

"You definitely did more than you're taking credit for but thank you. Now, tell me the truth: do you think this is a good idea?"

"I think it's a great idea. This way, if you want to take an out-of-town job like you're doing this weekend, Bea can hold down the fort here or vice versa."

"I thought that too. And Bea is incredibly competent."

He winged a brow. "You trust her?"

I nodded. "I do."

"Then let's do it. You're gonna need a new logo, huh?"

"I was thinking you could add a bee next to the daisy."

He cocked his head. "That's awful cutesy for my little emo cupcake."

I shrugged. "I can be cutesy."

"Correction: you can be cute. And you are, often. If you want a bee next to your daisy, I can do that for you."

I beamed at him. "Having you as my boyfriend is going to come in handy."

He wagged his chopsticks at me. "Did you think this was going to be free?"

"I didn't." I leaned into him, hands on his knees. "How many feet pics will this cost me?"

Without warning, Miles plucked me right out of my seat and into his lap. "Do you think I'm that easy? One promise of looking at your feet you flash around for everyone to see, and you think I'm going to be making you logos for free? Next thing you know, you'll be asking me to come up with a business plan for a dear friend who's really someone you met once at camp when you were ten."

I started to defend myself, but he went on. "That being said, two feet pics would be lovely."

I shoved at his chest, glaring. "You almost made me feel bad."

"Come on, Cupcake." He smoothed his palm along my spine. "I want you to lean on me for things. Ask me favors. Make use of my few talents. I'm yours, aren't I?"

I bit my bottom lip and nodded. "I don't want to take advantage."

"You couldn't possibly. First, I know you'd never ask me for more than I have to give. But more importantly, there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. Altering a logo is nothing. I can do it in my sleep."

I wrinkled my nose at him. "Please don't. I'd like it to look good."

He growled. "As if I'd give you a shitty logo." He dragged his finger down my nose, ironing out the wrinkles. "Now that we've got Bea settled, was there something else on your mind?"

I blinked at him. "How could you tell?"

"I can see it in you. You're not relaxed." He stroked my spine, which should have done it. I wanted to melt into him, but he was right. I did have something else on my mind. "Come out with it."

"Okay…well, I know you just finished telling me I can ask for anything, but I want you to know you can say no to this and I won't be mad."

He cocked his head. "Go on."

"I was thinking I would like to take Reed with us to California this weekend. I would love to go away alone with you, but my brother…I think he could use a break. Just a change of scenery, out of his room, away from everything. You know him, he won't be any trouble. There's an extra bedroom at the house we're staying at, so I thought—"

His mouth came down on mine, cutting off my rambling in the only acceptable way. I didn't know if this was a yes or no, but I kissed him back anyway. It wasn't a quick kiss either. Miles split my lips with his tongue and tasted me fully, lapping at me the way he did my pussy—with enthusiasm, taking pleasure from making me feel good.

When he broke apart, he cradled my face, stroking his thumb along my bottom lip.

"Yes."

I sucked in a breath. "Yes, he can come?"

"Of course. I like Reed, and I agree, a change of scenery will do the kid well. Should we stay a day or two longer and show him the sights?"

"That would be really nice, but some of us have to work."

He rolled his eyes. "I know that, sassy-face. But you can work from anywhere, and I can arrange my schedule to take a couple days off. What do you think?"

My stomach got that squishy feeling, and my heart thumped with happiness.

"I think…we're taking a few extra days in California."

He reached down and patted my ass. "Damn right. And we're going to have a hell of a time. Just me and the emo twins."

God, he was cute. And he liked my brother. I hoped I could keep doing whatever I did to land him.

Deep down, I knew what it was. When we'd met, I'd been my unmitigated self, and Miles had liked every bit of my bite and grouch. It stood to reason, all I had to do was keep being me.

So, I said the first thing that popped into my head. "I'll get you in guyliner yet."

He flinched away from me. "That'll take a lot more than two feet pics, Cupcake."

I grinned. "But that wasn't a no."

"I told you I can't say no to you."

Reed had been slack-jawed since we'd boarded the Aldrich private plane. To be fair, I had a feeling I hadn't been much better. I did not know how I'd ever go back to commercial after this experience. The seats were actually comfortable, and there were no odd smells or annoying passengers. No security lines or cattle calls to board. It was heaven.

The downtown penthouse Miles had rented for us in Sacramento was ridiculously luxurious too, with views of the river, a private roof-top pool, and more space than we needed.

By comparison, Lily Smythe-Kelly's house was modest—but only in comparison. Mid-century modern, it had been carefully renovated, keeping with the era it was built. She showed Reed, Miles, and me around while dashing off orders to the caterers preparing the rest of the food for the party.

We were guests tonight, but first, we had to set up a six-foot grazing table. Miles vaguely knew how I did things, and Reed was pretty good at following directions, so I hoped we'd get this done in no time.

Lily stood next to the table as we worked, her hands clasped under her chin. "How's that daughter of mine?" she asked Miles.

"She brings me fresh fruit and honey every Monday from the farmer's market."

Lily laughed. "Her favorite time of year. I take that to mean she's doing well."

"Well, and busy," he said. "She's training our Rebecca to assist her."

Her eyebrows rose. "Oh? Does that mean you'll need a new receptionist?"

"I think so. Rebecca and Sersh make a good team and clients like her. I have a feeling she'll get the official promotion pretty soon."

Lily sighed happily. "My girl. For a while, I wondered if she'd find her place, and look at her—expanding her business and still taking time to go to the farmer's market each weekend."

He chuckled. "She's living the dream."

"Her dream. That's all I ever wanted for her. Well, I would have liked her living a little closer, but beggars can't be choosers."

"The flight was only two and a half hours," Reed supplied, bringing all eyes to him. Before now, he'd been quiet as a mouse, as usual.

Lily lowered her hands to smooth the front of her dress. "You're right, you're right. It's not as bad as I like to think it is, and I suppose I'll eventually move closer to her since I can't convince her to come to me. My son lives in southern Wyoming. There's really no point for me to live here once I retire at the end of my term."

"My brother lives in Laramie, Wyoming," Reed supplied.

"Not too far from my boy. He lives on his father's family ranch in Sugar Brush Creek. It's all very…rugged."

Reed shuddered. "Open spaces give me the creeps."

Miles clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, kid. Tell me you're a city boy without telling me you're a city boy."

Lily waved them off. "No, I quite understand. When you're used to being snug in one spot, going to a place where the possibilities are endless can be petrifying and intimidating."

"See?" Reed turned to Miles, a crooked smile on his face. "Lily understands me."

That made her laugh lightly. "I like you, Reed. And don't worry, there will be a whole contingent of kids your age at the party. You won't have to hang with the old folks."

He tensed, his body locking. "Thank you," he intoned, barely moving his jaw.

Miles leaned over and murmured something only Reed could hear. As I watched my brother relax, I did too. I didn't need to know what Miles had said. With him, we were in good hands. That much I knew without a single doubt.