Perfect Match Enemies to lovers romance - Leia Stone Page 0,37
fast and came in hot. You could tell by the alarmed look on his face that he knew he was about to get reamed. As I got closer, he stepped back a pace but I kept going until I was face to face with him.
“You’re a stupid man,” I growled, reaching out and grasping the cigarette from his fingers, tossing it on the ground and crushing it with my high heel. Then I pulled out the pack of nicotine gum and slammed it on his chest. “Stop. Smoking.”
His hand snaked out and grabbed mine, trapping it to his chest. “How about you stop trying to fix me.”
My face fell.
Busted.
He nodded. “I see you, Millie. I see how much you think you can change me into whatever man you dream I could be.”
I swallowed hard and he leaned forward, brushing his nose against my neck before pulling away. “I’m a lost cause, so find someone else to save.” With that, he dropped my hand and the pack of gum fell to the floor as he walked away, leaving me to wonder what in the fuck I was doing here.
I watched him go around the side of the house and head inside before I reached in and pulled out the rings that hung from the chain at my neck. Was Colin looking down at me shaking his head or cheering me on? Or neither? Was he screaming, “Run?” or was that just my heart?
We’d had a morbid conversation one night when we had just gotten engaged, I remembered it so clearly now.
“If I died, how long would you wait to move on?” Colin had asked me.
“Never,” I’d promised him.
He’d chuckled. “That’s sweet, but I don’t want you to be alone. Just don’t move on too soon. Grieve a good year or two, then move on.”
I’d laughed. “How about you? How long until you would move on?”
Colin had grinned. “Depends how hot she is.”
He was always a joker, the life of the party. I’d smacked him and the conversation had gone deeper into whether or not we had kids and how that would affect things.
Was I moving on? One year and I was already kissing another guy. A not so great guy. If Ashton were a truck he’d be old, broken down, and covered in rust, but man how good he could run with a little love and elbow grease.
“Millie!” Gran’s voice carried out into the yard and I realized I was crying. A tear ran down my cheek and I wiped it away, fixing my hair and running to the house.
If Ashton didn’t want to be saved, then I shouldn’t try. Right?
“I’m stuffed.” I leaned back in my chair, glad I had a dress on with room for my stomach to grow.
Gran smiled proudly. “You want that corn cake recipe? I saw you take thirds.”
My cheeks blushed. Why did Gran have to call me out on taking thirds?
I nodded. “Definitely.”
Ashton watched me from behind blue eyes. “Maybe we could serve it at the bar.”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “The bar you’re selling?” I crossed my arms and Gran grinned.
“Ohh, I like her,” Ashton’s aunt told Gran.
“Me too,” Gran replied.
Ashton rolled his eyes. “I haven’t made my mind up. You got until Saturday to show me it can stand.”
“Just you wait, Ashton Knight.” I cocked my head to the side. “Saturday is going to be the biggest night your bar has ever seen. The fire marshal will get called, it will be so packed, and you’ll run out of alcohol. Mark my words.”
I’d said free beer. If that didn’t work, then nothing would.
Ashton chuckled. “We’ll see about that.”
Gran reached over and patted my hand. “You are a breath of fresh air, doll.”
With a smile, I stood and started to collect plates.
“No. Guests don’t do dishes.” Gran stopped me and handed them off to Ashton. “But I hear you’re a wonderful cook. How about you make us all breakfast.”
My gaze flicked to Ashton’s and his cheeks reddened. Did he tell his grandma about my cooking?
“I’d love to—”
“But we aren’t staying over, Gran. Can I just borrow your truck and drop Millie off? Mine will be ready tomorrow afternoon.”
Gran scoffed. “Drop Millie off two hours away? That’s a four hour round trip. No way. She can sleep in the guest house.”
I squirmed. “Are you sure?” Did Uber come out here? Maybe I should try to call up a ride.
Gran waved her wrinkled hand. “Positive.”
“I think Millie would be more comfortable at her own apartment,”