Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“No.” Ford’s tone was as implacable as Miles’s usually was. “We’re going to take care of this problem, and then—”
Worth broke in. “And then you should give Miles another chance.”
“He was never really interested in me.”
Ford narrowed his eyes. “Do you truly believe that?”
I let out a long breath. Last night, I was sure he’d just been using me. Now? “I don’t know.”
Worth shook his head. “Miles wouldn’t do that. Using people is what I do.”
Ford rolled his eyes at this statement. “If all Miles wants is a hookup, he’s going to be straightforward about that. If he wants to bring you down, he’ll do that without getting personal.”
I frowned and looked over at Ford.
“He’s right.”
“You want to know what he did?”
They both nodded.
“I overheard him on a phone call. That’s how I found out he’s known all about my family since before he hired me, that he’d tried to trick me by giving me false information to pass on, and that he’s having me followed.”
Ford sighed. “I told him to tell you as soon as he started to have feelings for you.”
“What do you mean?”
“He told me he cared for you, and I told him he couldn’t—”
“Wait. He actually said that.”
Ford held my gaze as he said, “Yes.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything now but let him help you. Trust us and allow us to help too. We want the best for him, and according to him, you’re it.”
I tried to push down the excitement rising in me. Miles really did care. His attention wasn’t all to get a confession out of me or to find out what my family wanted me to steal. “He really wasn’t using me?”
“No, Ben. He never was.”
Could I be okay with what he’d done? Could there really be a chance? Did I dare risk my heart again?
33
MILES
As soon as Ben arrived back in the office, I called Ford. “How did it go?”
“Aren’t you supposed to be working?”
I was not in the mood to play games. “Fuck off.”
“It went as well as could be expected. Worth and I did our best to convince him you’re exactly what he needs.”
“You brought Worth with you?”
“Yes, he’s good at this kind of thing.”
I knew exactly what Worth was good at. “Flirting with a man who’s feeling down?”
Ford chuckled. “Yes, but I meant cheering someone up and talking them into seeing his perspective.”
“And seeing him naked.” The thought of Worth flirting with Ben made me want to wring his neck.
“Ben had no interest in seeing Worth naked, and since when have you ever been jealous of any of us?”
“I haven’t. I’m not really. It’s just…. Damn it, Ford. I’m in love with Ben.”
“Yeah. No shit. And I think there’s a significant chance he’s in love with you.”
“So you think….”
“That you might get a second chance? Yes, I do, but not if your hide things from him or if you are as pushy and demanding as you usually are.”
“That’s…not going to be easy.”
“I can imagine. Just let him be for the rest of the day and probably tomorrow too, let him come to you.”
“Will he?”
“I think there’s a good chance.”
“I’m not good at being patient.”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“I’m not that bad.”
“No, you’re not, but you’ll need something to distract you. Come with me to my book club on Thursday.”
“You’re still going to that?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t I?”
I smiled. “No reason.” It fit him perfectly to sit around and discuss pretentious books. I did need something to keep my mind off Ben. “What are you reading?”
When he told me the name, I groaned. “Isn’t that one of those novels that makes no sense, but everyone pretends to grasp the deep meaning?”
“Possibly.”
At least reading it would give me something to do that night, and lately everything seemed incomprehensible to me. “Fine. I’ll come with you. What time?”
“Eight. I’m not sure where we’re meeting yet. Let’s have dinner before and go together.”
“All right.” Anything to distract me was good. As it was, I already needed something to keep me from walking out to Ben’s desk and insisting he tell me how he feels.
“Call me if you need me before then,” Ford said.
“I will.”
“You can call Worth too, you know?”
“I do. Really.”
“Bye, Miles.”
When I ended the call, I tried to look through some documents my research team had sent, but they might as well have been written in hieroglyphics. Was this really what it was like to be in love? How did anyone get any work done? All I could think about was Ben. Even before he found out what I’d been hiding from him, he’d been an incredible distraction.
If only there was something I could do for him, some gesture. I thought for a few moments, but everything seemed too much. More clothes? Some jewelry? A car?