was the best way they feel they can be helpful, especially since the stakeout at Kymaris’ house had led Rainey to believe that she was not cut out for the action part of the prophecy.
While Myles actually is sort of cut out for the action part because he’s always been adventurous, he was grateful Rainey wanted to stay away from the dangerous stuff.
When I reach the bottom of the spiral staircase, I see Myles seated at the conference table, hovering over a large, dusty book. His head tips up, and a grin spreads on his face. “There she is. The famed traveler, Finley Porter, jet-setting from Berlin to Faere and back to Seattle.”
I snort and glance around. “Where’s Rainey?”
Myles jerks his head to the left, indicating the really old books at the north end of the library. “Down there somewhere. When she gets frustrated, she likes to just randomly roam the stacks and nab books, hoping something will be useful.”
“And how has that worked for her so far?” I ask.
“Not that great,” he admits with a grin. He casts a furtive glance down to where Rainey is supposedly wandering and lowers his voice. “You got a minute? I need to ask you something before she comes back.”
“Sure,” I reply, taking the seat at the conference table beside him because he clearly doesn’t want Rainey to hear this.
Once more, Myles glances at the far end of the library and is satisfied Rainey is out of earshot for the moment. “As someone who has recently found herself falling in love while her entire world has been turned upside down, are you worried that any of these crazy circumstances are the reason why you feel the way you do?”
“You mean the way I feel about Carrick?” I venture, thinking I get where he’s going with this.
“Yeah… I mean, the fate of the world is on your shoulders and our existence could be short-lived. Do you think that’s compounding your feelings in any way?”
“Myles,” I say, reaching out to cover his hand on my own. “I think it’s sweet the way you worry about me, but this thing with Carrick is—”
Swatting my hand away in annoyance, Myles leans in closer. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Finley… this isn’t about you. I’m happy for you and Carrick, even though I can’t stand him. I’m talking about Rainey and me.”
Frowning, I ask, “What about you and Rainey?”
“Well… I love her,” he says as if this is a monumental revelation.
I nod because this is something I’ve seen with my own eyes. “Uh-huh. And I’m guessing you don’t know how to tell her—”
“I’ve told her,” he hisses, truly perturbed now. “And she loves me. Are you caught up now?”
I’m shocked by his outburst, even though it never rises above a whisper because Myles is just the most mild-mannered guy in the world. Don’t get me wrong, he can be fiercely protective, but he lets most things roll off his back. The fact he’s angry for little reason causes me to lean toward him and gently say, “I’m listening. Tell me what’s going on.”
Myles lets out a sigh, rakes his hand through his hair, and then leans on one hip. He pulls a box out of his pocket, and I immediately know what it is. Glancing once more down to where Rainey is and determining it’s safe, he opens the box. Inside is a sweetly beautiful ring. It’s not huge by any means because Myles doesn’t make big bucks in IT, but it’s totally Rainey’s style.
Flipping the box closed after my glimpse and shoving it in his pocket, he says, “I just want to make sure that I’m not rushing things because of this sense of impending doom that our lives have been shortened and I don’t want to miss anything with Rainey.”
Myles is so earnest in his declaration that it brings tears to my eyes, which I have to blink back. “Myles… I love how deeply you love. And I love how you always want to do the right thing. Moreover, those are the things Rainey loves about you, along with a million more. Now, I personally take offense to the fact you think there’s impending doom, which shows you have little faith in me—”
A short bark of laughter pops out of Myles, which was my intended effect. Teasing him away from his worries.
“But I don’t think you should ever wait if you feel it deeply in your heart. You may only have today with Rainey, but you could