Page 61 of Tempting Miles
My entire body freezes.
“Mierda.”
Mami bursts out laughing, “Good thing I called.”
Three hours later, I carefully pack the cookies into the passenger seat, toss my suitcase into the trunk, and drive halfway to Azalea Creek with Christmas music playing softly through the speaker.
At the same time, I try very hard not to think about the fact that tonight will be my first night staying at Miles’s house.
“Hey,” Ruin says as she opens the door with a huge smile. She pulls me into a hug, and the scent of cinnamon and sugar clinging to her hair reminds me of Grandma's arroz con leche.
“Penny’s here,” she calls out as I step into the mudroom. “And she brought cookies.”
“Mami shared the recipe with me,” I admit as I hand over the tray. “She even gave me a full demo, but I can’t guarantee they taste as good as hers.”
Ruin laughs softly. “Oh, please. They’re better than the ones I’d have made. You know Gio’s the cook in this family. He even bakes.”
I smile, knowing she’s just lying to makeme feel better.
As soon as I walk into the kitchen, warmth hits me from every direction. Christmas music is playing in the background, the kitchen smells like vanilla and butter, and every surface is covered with trays of cookies.
A chorus of hellos follows as the MacAllister women pull me into hugs, and I happily sink into every single one of them.
Mami always says Colombians don’t know how to love halfway. We hug, kiss on the cheeks, and hold hands while talking. Affection is as natural as breathing to her. Dad, on the other hand, has always been more reserved, but Mami made sure I grew up knowing there’s nothing wrong with openly showing people you love them.
“I was thrilled when I heard you were joining us,” Joss says, masterfully stealing the tray from Ruin’s hands.
I smile, then my eyes widen as I fully take in the spread covering the kitchen island. Cookies covered in icing, powdered sugar, sprinkles, chocolate drizzle—it looks like something straight out of a bakery window.
“Auntie Penny,” Indigo says as soon as he spots me.
“Hi, cutie. What’s wrong?” I ask after I notice the deep frown on his little face.
He glances toward Ruin, then leans closer like he’s about to share classified information. “Auntie Rain’s on fire.”
I blink before looking over at her. She’s glowing in a cute shirt that says "bun in the oven," complete with a cartoonoven and little squiggly lines meant to be steam rising from it.
A laugh escapes me.
“Oh, no?” I whisper dramatically. “Should we call the fire department?”
Indigo nods seriously, which only makes me laugh harder before I pick him up, hug him, and give him smooches.
“You’re too cute for your own good, Indigo Bianchi.”
His giggles fill the kitchen just as another round of greetings erupts near the entrance.
My heart skips the moment I see Miles walking into the kitchen with Sage in his arms.
No man should look that good carrying a toddler around. His strong arms hold Sage carefully while she plays with the collar of his jacket, completely content in his embrace. And his smile—God, that smile could cure the most acute case of the blues.
“Sagie!” Indigo shouts before squirming out of my hold and running toward his sister.
My gaze stays fixed on Miles as she wiggles down from his arms.
“You two look good with kids,” Granny says from beside me, nearly scaring the bejesus out of me.
“Granny,” I gasp, pressing a hand to my chest.
