Gaining Miles (Miles Family #5)(13)

I found her in the event room in the Big House, directing employees who were setting up for a wedding. I made eye contact and nodded, then waited with my hands in my pockets while she finished up.

She flipped through a few pages on a clipboard, then walked over to me. “Hey, Ben. What’s up?”

“Do you have a minute?”

“Sure.”

I hesitated while she looked at me expectantly. The employees buzzed around the room, stringing up lights and moving chairs. “Can we go outside? It’s personal.”

“Yeah, of course.”

We went out through the kitchen into the early spring air. It smelled like honeysuckle and pine.

I rubbed my beard and cleared my throat. “I need some advice.”

Her eyebrows twitched upward. “About what?”

“Shannon.”

She held the clipboard against her chest and smiled. “Okay.”

I figured the best thing to do was be honest. “I overheard a few things last night when you were talking in the tasting room. I didn’t mean to, and it wasn’t much, but…”

“Oh, shit.”

“I know.”

“What did you hear, exactly?” she asked.

“Mostly just the part about how long it’s been since she’s dated, and how everything is different now.”

“And?” she asked, raising her eyebrows again.

“And something about not getting naked with anyone, especially me.” I put a hand up. “But we don’t need to talk about the naked part.”

She laughed. “Fair enough. But for the record, she didn’t mean it.”

I paused for a beat, my mouth half open. “You don’t think so?”

“Definitely not,” she said. “Since we’re not talking about it, I won’t tell you that she’s totally lying to herself and she absolutely wants to get naked with you.”

I cleared my throat again. “Anyway. I’ve been thinking I’d like to ask her out.”

“Oh my god, finally,” she said. “What the hell’s taken you so long?”

“Oh, I don’t know, the fact that up until recently, she was legally married?”

Zoe waved her hand. “Whatever. It’s probably best that you haven’t made a move yet anyway.”

“Why?”

“Well, you heard her. She’s really nervous about the idea of dating again. I think she’s actually convinced herself that she can’t. That living in that big house by herself, making wine, and doting on her grandkids is her life now.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Yesterday I thought I’d just get her alone for a few minutes and ask her to dinner. What could be simpler than that? But now I’m not so sure. I’ve waited a long time for this. I’d like to go into it with a little more confidence that the answer’s going to be yes.”

Zoe tapped her fingers on the back of her other arm. “Ordinarily, I’d say you’re being too cautious, and you should just go for it. But in this case, I think Shannon might need a little more coaxing. Get her used to the idea that you’re pursuing her before you ask her for an actual date.”

“All right,” I said. “I can do that.”

“Just don’t wait too long,” she said. “Not just for her sake—for yours too. You have the patience of a saint, Ben. I honestly don’t know how you’ve done it.”

I smiled. “The right woman is worth the wait.”

“That,” she said, gesturing at me. “Whatever that was just now? Use that. It’ll be irresistible.”

“So, ease her into it?” I asked.

“Yes. Just a nudge. Think of it like… dating foreplay. She’s been watching from the sidelines for a really long time.”

“That she has. Thanks, Zoe.”

“Anytime,” she said.

I walked away, pondering what Zoe had said, and what I’d heard Shannon say last night. I understood the real meaning behind Shannon’s words. She didn’t see herself as desirable anymore, and she questioned whether someone would want her after everything she’d been through.

Shannon. Beautiful Shannon. You can’t imagine how much I want you.

Zoe was right, Shannon needed a little coaxing. Especially because dating her wasn’t my endgame. I wanted much more than that. I’d loved this woman from afar for a long time. A date with her was only the beginning—the beginning of forever, if I had anything to say about it.

I was a patient man and I was going to coax Shannon Miles right into my arms.





Seven





Shannon





Someone had delivered flowers to the wrong office.

The bouquet sitting on my desk was beautiful—a mix of red roses, lilies, pink dianthus, and heather. And the scent was lovely, the floral aroma filling the air. But there was no card, so I didn’t know who it belonged to.

I went downstairs and found Lindsey in the lobby. “Did you talk to the floral delivery person?”

Her eyebrows drew together. “No. I didn’t see anyone.”

“Someone delivered flowers, but they put them in my office by mistake,” I said. “I’m assuming they’re for Jamie or Zoe.”