and iced tea for him. He took a long sip and glanced around the restaurant.
“Have you seen the turtles?” he asked.
It would be a random question anywhere else, but it was one of the things that made Brennan’s famous. The fountain had been home to over a dozen turtles give or take a few for forty years. They sunned themselves and slid with happy plops into the water from time to time. They were as well-known to city natives as the ducks in the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
“Of course. Used to love feeding them when I was a kid.”
“Same. We came here for Mother’s Day brunch every year and for every special occasion. Because I’m from here, Ellie. These are my roots too.” He leaned forward, his eyes a darker shade of blue than usual, the corners creased with worry. “How soon do you expect to fill the space?”
“I don’t know. I’m willing to wait for the right tenant to come along.”
“Could I ask a favor? Could you not sign a lease agreement with anyone until I’ve had a chance to make another pitch?”
He had a determined glint in his eye, but I had no idea what it indicated. I didn’t think my gut level instincts were going to change no matter how much he offered to overpay for the square footage or how fancy his soundproofing was. It was a promise that cost me nothing.
“I can do that, but honestly, don’t get too invested in the idea of that space.”
“Give me a couple of weeks, and we’ll talk about it again,” he said. “I won’t bug you about it until then.”
“Sure. Does that mean you don’t want me to show you any other properties?”
“Yes. I’m going to be busy the next few days, so I won’t have time.”
“No problem.” I said the words casually, but a pang of disappointment in the pit of my stomach caught me by surprise. Miles had become a part of each day even when I didn’t expect him to be. I always got an email or text from him about something. And every other day, he ended up on my schedule for a showing, or he’d appear at the café. I’d even flattered myself into wondering if some of those contacts were excuses to connect with me.
“Great. Hey, I better get you back to the office. I have some stuff I need to do.”
It was as if his mind was already on whatever that stuff was and I had become part of the background. “I’ll grab an Uber,” I told him. “Don’t worry about it.”
Instead of arguing, he pulled out his phone. “I’ll order it for you.” He had it requested before he even finished speaking, flashing the screen at me.
“Thanks,” I said.
“I’ll walk you out.” He threw several twenties on the table, and we hit the sidewalk below Brennan’s front awning as my ride pulled up. “I’ll be in touch.” He was already turning in the direction of the hotel parking before I was all the way in the car.
As the door clicked closed, I had the feeling that we’d disconnected completely.
Chapter Thirteen
A week went by without a word from Miles.
I tried not to care.
I listed two more properties and closed a deal on a third. I showed the café once to a prospect, but he wasn’t too sure, and only someone who saw the magic in it deserved it, so I didn’t try to close the deal.
I went on runs beside the river. I went out to eat with Chloe a few times. I kept myself as busy as I possibly could.
But I still found myself streaming Miles Crowe songs on my runs. Or checking out the spaces where Chloe and I ate to get ideas for the Turnaround.
It was stupid.
I was so stupid.
And that was exactly why I didn’t follow up with Miles after a few days like I would have with any other client. If he’d decided to move on to a different company and agent, that was probably for the best. It was too confusing separating the crush I’d had forever ago from my perception of him now.
But did that stop my stomach from flipping like Brennan’s Bananas Foster when his name lit up my phone on a Thursday afternoon as I was leaving work?
It did not.
I took a deep breath and answered the phone. “Hey, Miles.”
“Hey, Elle.” I liked it better when he called me Ellie. “Sorry I’ve been MIA for a minute.”