I Love Him...And Him?

I Love Him...And Him? Chapter 3

After an hour at work, Riley was finally starting to calm down. She was still so mad about Mike cancelling on her. It's not that she was mad that he couldn't make it to dinner. Because she was upset about it, but she understood. It was the fact that he had sent her a vague text message instead of telling her the reason why he couldn't make it.

On the plus side, she hadn't seen Miles yet so her thoughts had been clear and her body had been calm. It wasn't until she was walking down a hall that she heard yelling. Just by hearing the voice, she knew exactly who it was. Riley started to run towards the room. When she reached Mr. Harrison's room, she knocked once and went in. When she got in the room, she was relieved to see that he was ok. Mr. Harrison was just yelling at...who else? Miles. Riley started to laugh. The only time she had ever heard Mr. Harrison yell was once when he had fallen while trying to get to his wheelchair by himself. He had been very lucky and had only had minor injuries.

Mr. Harrison was like a grandpa to Riley. In fact, he was the only grandpa she had ever had. All four of her grandparents had died before she was born. Riley loved to sit with Mr. Harrison in his room and play checkers or just listen to his stories. He always had a new picture to show her of one of his many new grandchildren or now, his great grandchildren. He had never raised his voice to Riley or even gotten frusturated with her. Even when she had just started working at the nursing home and it took her a long time to help residents in and out of their wheelchairs.

Now, she stood in front of a very frusturated Miles trying to help a very angry Mr. Harrison. Riley cleared her throat, making both of them jump. Niether one of them had known she was there. Mr. Harrison smiled right away. "Riley, I'm so glad you're here. Malibou Ken over here is going to kill me before he gets me into my chair." Riley burst out laughing while Miles scoffed.

"Here Mr. Harrison, let me help you." Riley held out her arm expertly for him to balance on and slowly helped him stand up. Each resident had their own special wants and needs. They each needed to be treated as individual residents. There was not right or wrong way to do anything. You just had to know who you were working with and help them the way that they felt comfortable with. Mr. Harrison was in his chair in under a minute and thanked her for her help. He then slowly but surely, wheeled himself out of his room. Riley smiled while Miles just looked at her. "He never fails to amaze me. He still insists on wheeling himself everywhere he goes."

"You amaze me. I stood in here for 10 minutes while that man yelled at me and said that I was doing it wrong. I was helping exactly the way that they showed me in training." He ran a hand through his hair and let out a frusturated sigh.

Riley smiled. "Miles, you can't do everything according to the book. Every person here had a different preference of how they like things done. You have to remember that."

Miles smiled his breathtaking smile. You know you're really thoughtful. He stepped closer to her, making it harder for her to breath.

"Miles-" He leaned down and rested his forehead against hers.

"What?" He whispered, letting his minty breath blow across her face again.

"I. We. I have a boyfriend." Riley eventually got the words out.

Miles stepped away from her. "You're right Riley. I'm sorry. You keep telling me that but I keep making moves on you." He turned away.

Riley gave a half smile and put her hand on his shoulder. "It's ok Miles, don't worry about it. Let's just try to be friends ok?" Miles smiled at her and nodded.

"Ok, let's be friends. I'll treat you like my friend and stop making moves on you."

Riley laughed. "Ok, sounds good to me. Now let's get back to work.

Like the night before, they both got off work at the same time. Riley checked her phone again. Still nothing from Mike. Miles walked with her out to her car. When they were about half way across the lot, Miles broke the silence. "Hey Riley, do you have plans tonight?"

Riley swallowed hard. She felt her anger rise a little bit. She was supposed to have plans that night. "No. Why?"

Miles looked down at his hands. "Well, I was wondering if maybe you would want to have supper with me tonight. Only as friends of course."

Riley knew she should say no. Her mind was screaming at her to tell him that she couldn't. But before she knew what was happening, her mouth was open and words were coming out. "Sure Miles, that would be fun." Hey, if Mike could go out and have fun with his friends, why couldn't she?

"Ok great, It's 5 right now. So how about I pick you up at 7?" Miles looked at her hopefully.

"Sure, that sounds great." After giving him directions to her apartment, Riley went home. She took a quick shower and blow dried and straightened her hair. She knew it wasn't a date, but she wasn't sure where they were going. After some debate, Riley decided on a layered flowery skirt and a navy blue shirt that she loved to wear. She did her makeup and looked at herself again. She smiled at her reflection, pleased with how she looked.

Riley shook her head. This was not a date. She needed to quit thinking like it was. She was dating Mike. She was friends with Miles. Her and Miles were going out as friends. FRIENDS. Riley heard a knock on her door and took a deep breath. She got her purse and keys and opened the door to see Miles standing there, looking oh so sexy in a pair of dark wash jeans and a button up shirt.

Riley felt slightly self concious as Miles raked his eyes up and down her exposed legs. She immedietally regreted wearing the skirt. It wasn't even that short or anything, but she still felt like she shouldn't have worn it. Riley cleared her throat, causing Miles to jump a little. He smiled at her. "Sorry. You um, you look really nice."

Riley smiled at him. "You've never seen me when I'm not wearing my scrubs."

He looked at her with a sincere expression on his face. Miles stepped in closer to her. "I like this better than your scrubs." His voice was husky.

Riley stepped back. "Miles. Maybe this isn't a good idea." The look on his face made her feel bad for saying that.

"I'm sorry Riley. I know I keep saying that. Maybe I should start being more of a gentleman."

 Riley laughed. "Come on, let's go." She locked her apartment and let him lead her down the stairs and to his car. Miles opened the door for her and helped her in to his car. He closed her door and went around to the drivers side. Riley ran her hands along the dash. His car was amazing. The black leather interior was almost as hot as the red outside.

Miles got in and smiled at her. "You like my car?" He eyed her running her hands.

Riley pulled her hands away, slightly embarrassed. "I love it, it's so hot."

Miles looked over at her with a cocky look on his face. "Almost as hot as the driver." He flipped his hair for dramatic effect. Instead of laughing, Riley got annoyed at the way her knees went weak.

"So, where are we going?" Riley asked, trying to get some comfortable conversation going.

"I thought we would go to Connor's. My treat." Miles looked over at her.

Riley gasped. "Miles, no. We can't go there. That place is way to expensive." She played with the hem of her skirt. If they went there, it would really feel like a date. It just wasn't a good idea.

"Riley, don't worry about it. And I know what you're thinking. I don't think it's a date. We'll go have dinner as friends. Ok?" He smiled at her.

Reluctantly, Riley agreed. "Ok, fine. But next time, it's my treat." Miles just laughed and focused back on the road. Wait. What was she saying? Next time? Oh who was she kidding? She knew there would be a next time.