Page 62 of After You Returned

“Which only helps if we get out of here. Where rum sleeps and secrets keep.”

I make my way to a rum barrel and tap on it three times. A click sounds before the door opens. Miles grabs my hand and drags me outside.

“We did it!”

I lift an eyebrow. “Was there any doubt?”

“Not with you by my side.”

He yanks on my hand and I slam into him. Before I have a chance to say oof, his lips are on mine. He kisses me as if the entire town isn’t watching us. As if he’s not embarrassed to be with me. As if all those years we were apart didn’t happen.

My heart doesn’t stand a chance against this version of Miles. But is this version of Miles the real one?

Chapter 21

Seals give great advice. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Hazel

Iskip up the walkway to my apartment building. I’m ridiculous, but I can’t help it. Ever since Miles and I won theBootlegger Escape Room Festival, I’ve been riding a high.

After Miles thoroughly kissed me in front of the town after we finished the escape room, he escorted me toRumrunner,where Harper announced we’d won the festival. Let the drinking begin!

Miles took care of me throughout the night. He made sure I had enough water to drink, got some food in my stomach, and scared away any men who dared to glance in my direction. I haven’t felt that safe and protected in years.

When the night was over, he escorted me home. He made sure I had a bottle of water and some aspirin next to my bed, kissed me goodnight, and left.

I was a bit disappointed after all the kissing and touching and heated glances all night but when Miles messaged the second hegot home to tell me he was thinking of me, my disappointment disappeared in a poof of air.

I need to watch myself. I’m falling in love with Miles again and I should know better. Scratch that. I do know better.

But I can’t seem to stop myself. Especially after he had Parker fromPirate’s Pastriesstop by with an extra-large coffee and a baked peaches and cream whiskey muffin the next morning. Parker usually doesn’t do deliveries. Her bakery is busy enough without adding a delivery service to the mix.

My phone rings and I answer without checking who’s calling. It’s probably Miles.

“Hello!” I practically sing.

“Ms. Harris. This is Major Phillips calling from the VA hospital.”

My heart pounds in my chest. This is good news, right? He wouldn’t call to tell me I didn’t get the job. Or would he?

“Major Phillips. It’s nice to hear from you.”

“You should call me Ed. Especially since we’re going to be working together.”

I gasp. “I got the job?”

“You got the job.”

“Whoop!”

He chuckles. “The HR department sent you a letter with the official offer, including salary and benefits, but I wanted to let you know.”

“Thank you.”

“I look forward to working with you. Let me know what you think of the offer.”

He rings off and I collapse on my couch. Thank the moonshine! I got the job. I can work full-time as a therapist. Bye-bye restaurant work. I won’t miss you.