Page 81 of Tempting Miles
“Good girl,” Easton says smoothly as he falls into step beside me. “Now, where’s a good place to get a decent lunch around here?”
“The Rustic Spoon,” I answer immediately.
If things go sideways, I know the MacAllister women will help me in a heartbeat.
The drive to the diner passes in uncomfortable silence, my nerves twisting the closer we get.
“Penny, dear. It’s so good to see you,” Granny says from her table the moment Easton and I walk into the family diner.
“Hey, Granny. How have you been? Is this cold weather killing your bones? Mine have been aching lately.” I make small talk with her while Easton gets shown to a booth on the other side of the diner.
“I hope those pains are from all the exhausting activities you’ve been doing with my grandson.” Her grin widens. “You’re far too young for weather pains, dear.”
“Granny,” I scold lightly. “A lady never tells.”
I smack her hand gently, making her laugh loud enough for half the diner to hear.
“Good thing neither of us are ladies then, hm?”
A laugh bubbles out of me despite everything. “Always.”
Then Granny’s entire expression changes. The teasing disappears, replaced by sharp seriousness.
“Now listen well, Penny Marie. If at any point you feel unsafe—or you need us to get you away from that man—simply order a Cheerwine with a side of ice. Understood?”
Warmth rushed through my chest so suddenly that it almost hurts.
“Don’t worry, I got it, Granny.” I lean down and kiss her on her cheek. “But thank you.”
She pats my face gently, the gesture so unexpectedly tender it nearly undoes me.
And somehow, that tiny moment gives me enough strength to walk toward Easton’s table and have this conversation.
Once we order our food, I pin him with a hard stare.
“Okay, out with it. Why are you so determined to marry me after I already told you no?”
Easton takes a slow sip of his tea before setting the cup down carefully.
He closes his eyes for a moment, like he’s gathering patience.
“It’s a little disappointing you can’t see how good we are together, Pen,” he says quietly. “But if you need me to spell it out for you, I will.”
Something dark flashes across his face.
His nostrils flare before he visibly reins himself back under control.
“I’ve always been in love with you.” His gaze locks onto mine. “From the first time we rode our horses at the club. From those summers we spent pretending to be mad scientists while collecting bugs by the pond. From the moment you decided to go into finance and make a name for yourself.”
A sour feeling churns in my stomach.
“I’ve always followed you,” he continues softly. “Like an obedient pup, waiting for your attention.”
The way he says it makes my skin crawl.
“What do you mean you’ve always been in love with me?” I ask carefully. “Easton, I genuinely thought we were just friends. Really good friends.”
“Penny, please.” He scoffs like I’ve insulted him. “Do you really think I would’ve spent hours listening to boy bands, taking you to pop concerts, and being your date to every gala if I wasn’t interested in you?”
