Miller's Time (Southern Charmers 2)

“I’m busy tomorrow.”

“You have until three to get your stuff done. Then you’re mine.”

“But…”

“Hold your excuses. They won’t work.”

“I’m not interested.” She tries to sound convincing, but the hitch in her voice gives her away.

“We’ll see. Three o’clock. If you’re not here, I’ll find you.” I plant a kiss to her cheek and release her, not glancing back as I go to help Pierce.

I’m barely out the front door when the “Arrrrrrg!” bounds through the house.

Pierce raises his eyes to mine, then throws a piece of plywood into place. “Pity you,” he repeats from earlier.

“No need, I got this under control.”

Chapter 6

Ashlyn

Something came up and I can’t make it today.

Too vague. I backspace through the message and try again.

Today looks like a beautiful day for clearing out the backyard. I’m going to take advantage of this South Carolina fall!

Even freaking lamer. “You’ve canceled plans before, Ashlyn. Get it together,” I mumble to myself, erasing the stupid excuse about working in the yard. No one would buy that. I’m not touching that jungle. My phobia of everything that crawls and slithers nixes the idea of clearing my landscaping.

Truth is, nothing I come up with will get me out of this. Miller made that clear. I’m spending the afternoon with him whether I’m ready or not.

How did I let this happen?

That damn kiss… that’s how this happened.

I was holding my resistance until his mouth touched mine, and then I lost all reason. A momentary lapse of judgment.

That’s what I’ll tell myself.

“Who are you kidding? There is no lapse in judgment. You’re in a losing battle with this man.” I twist the hair on the side of my face into a coil and pin it together. “You’re stronger than this. Dig deep and throw your defenses back into place before you go too far.”

My pep talk does nothing to calm the rollercoaster racing through my system. The reflection in the mirror is a stranger staring back.

Who is this woman?

I learned a long time ago to control my nerves and carry myself with a certain edge. It was expected and required in my life.

Looking back, I can’t believe the glaring signs I ignored and all I gave up. And for what? To become the laughing stock for years to come for all those I let manipulate my life.

I shake my head, dragging myself out of the thoughts before I go down the dark path that threatens to swallow me.

As if she has ESP and knows I need her, the phone rings with Mom’s ringtone.

“Hey there,” I chirp a little too eagerly.

“You all right?” Her motherly concern picks up.

“Yes, sorry I didn’t call back last night. Some things were happening here when I got home, and after the contractors left, I poured a glass of wine and feel asleep reading.”

This is not a total lie. After the kiss, I barricaded myself in the bathroom, taking the longest bath in history. Miller came back through the house, knocked on the door to announce he was leaving, and reemphasized our date at three.

I huffed loudly. He laughed.

It wasn’t until his truck roared away that I dragged my pruny body out of the tub. I poured a glass of wine and attempted to read, but my head kept replaying our kiss over and over. Which led to other thoughts and memories.

“You read?”

“You sound shocked.”

“Were you reading a law journal or a home improvement magazine?” she asks sarcastically.

“Neither. I downloaded a few books.”

“Wow, that’s great.”

“Once again, why are you shocked? I love to read.”

“You used to love to read but haven’t done it in a long time.”

“Well, part of the new Ashlyn. Bringing back old habits I let slip away.”

“That’s wonderful news and makes me happy.” There’s no missing the cheeriness now. “How did your meeting with that bank guy go yesterday?”

“His name is Evin, and it went fine. He’s not exactly a banking professional; he manages money and portfolios.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were moving your money?”

“Yes, it makes sense, and I like Evin. He has a more personal touch than the group I used in Chicago.”

I leave out the part that the group in Chicago is embedded with my firm and all the partners. It was a natural step to utilize them as I thought I was on my way to partner. Now, I don’t want them to have any kind of access to anything with my name on it.

“Do you need our help with anything, Ashlyn?”

I smile to myself, knowing this is her way of wading in and still giving me independence. My dad would once again threaten to drive here and meet with Evin to dissect his experience.

“No, Mom, I’m good. And guess what? When I got home from my meeting, the contractors had ripped up the front porch. Isn’t that awesome? I mean, it looks like hell now with a plywood sub base, but it’s another step in the right direction.”