My eyes leave his clothes and meet his concentrated stare. I dont know whether to smile in embarrassment or look away, so I just choose to copy his next move, waiting for him to look away first.
He doesnt. He continues to watch me in silence for the remainder of the elevator ride, and I stubbornly do the same. When we finally make it to the ground floor, Im relieved he steps off first, because I have to inhale a pretty noticeable breath, considering I havent inhaled in at least sixty seconds.
Where you three headed? Cap asks once were all off the elevator.
Home to San Diego, Corbin says. You have any plans for Thanksgiving?
Gonna be a busy day for flights, Cap says. Reckon Ill be here working. He winks in my direction, and I wink back before he shifts his attention toward Miles. How about you, boy? You headed home yourself?
Miles silently watches Cap in the same way he silently stared at me on the elevator. This disappoints me tremendously, because on the elevator, I had a small glimmer of hope that Miles was staring at me like he was because he feels the same pull to me that I feel when Im around him. But now, watching his visual standoff with Cap, Im almost certain it doesnt mean Miles is attracted to a person simply because he stares unabashedly. Miles apparently just looks at everyone this way. A very silent and awkward five seconds follows, with neither of them speaking. Maybe Miles doesnt like being referred to as boy?
Have a good Thanksgiving, Cap, Miles finally utters, not even bothering to answer Caps question. He turns and begins walking through the lobby with Corbin.
I look at Cap and shrug my shoulders. Wish me luck, I say quietly. Seems Mr. Archer might be having another bad day.
Cap smiles. Nah, he says, backing up a step toward his chair. Some people just dont like questions is all. He falls into his chair. He gives me a farewell salute, and I salute him back before walking toward the exit.
I cant tell if Cap excuses Miless rude behavior because he likes Miles or if he just makes excuses for everyone.
Ill drive there if you want, Miles says to Corbin when we all reach the car. I know you havent slept yet. You can drive back tomorrow.
Corbin agrees, and Miles opens the drivers-side door. I climb into the backseat and try to figure out where to sit. I dont know if I should sit directly behind Miles, in the middle, or behind Corbin. Anywhere I sit, Ill feel him. Hes everywhere.
Everything is Miles.
Thats how it is when a person develops an attraction toward someone. Hes nowhere, then suddenly hes everywhere, whether you want him to be or not.
It makes me wonder if Im anywhere to him, but the thought doesnt last long. I can tell when a guy is attracted to me, and Miles definitely does not fall into that category. Which is why I need to figure out how to stop whatever this is I feel when Im around him. The last thing I want right now is a silly crush on a guy when Ive barely got time to focus on both work and school.
I pull a paperback out of my purse and begin to read. Miles turns on the radio, and Corbin lays his seat back and kicks his feet up on the dash. Dont wake me up until were there, he says, pulling his cap over his eyes.
I glance at Miles, and hes adjusting his rearview mirror. He turns around and looks behind us to back out of the spot, and his eyes briefly meet mine.
You comfortable? he asks. He turns around before getting my answer and puts the car in drive, then glances at me in the rearview mirror.
Yep, I say. I make sure to tack a smile onto the end of that word. I dont want him to think Im upset that he came, but its hard for me not to appear closed off when Im around him, since Im trying so hard to be.
He looks straight ahead, and I look back down at my book.
Thirty minutes pass, and the movement of the car accompanied by my attempt to read is making my head hurt. I set the book down beside me and readjust myself in the backseat. I lean my head back and prop my feet up on the console between Miles and Corbin. He glances at me in the rearview mirror, and his eyes feel like theyre hands, running over every inch of me. He holds his stare for no longer than two seconds, then looks back at the road.
I hate this.
I have no idea whats going through his head. He never smiles. He never laughs. He doesnt flirt. His face appears as if he keeps a constant veil of armor between his expressions and the rest of the world.
Ive always been a sucker for the quiet types of guys. Primarily because most guys talk too much, and its painful having to suffer through every single thought that goes through their heads. Miles makes me wish he were the opposite of the quiet type, though. I want to know all the thoughts that pass through his head. Especially the one thought thats in there right now, hiding behind that unwavering, stoic expression.
Im still staring at him in the rearview mirror, trying to figure him out, when he glances at me again. I look down at my phone, a little embarrassed that he caught me staring at him. But that mirror is like a magnet, and dammit if my eyes dont shoot back up to it.
The second I look into the mirror again, so does he.
I look back down.
Shit.
This drive is about to be the longest drive of my entire life.
I make it three minutes, then I look again.
Shit. So does he.
I smile, amused by whatever game this is were playing.
He smiles, too.
He.
Smiles.
Too.
Miles looks back at the road, but his smile remains for several seconds. I know, because I cant stop staring at it. I want to take a picture of it before it disappears again, but that would be weird.
He lowers his arm to rest it on the console, but my feet are in his way. I push up on my hands. Sorry, I say, as I begin to pull them back.