The Supermodel's Best Friend (A Romantic Comedy) by Gretchen Galway

“Alex! Good
morning.”
    “Mind if I… ?” Alex gestured to the seat next
to her.
    Taking his time, Miles got out a tub of cream
cheese and picked through the bagels.
    “Of course not. It’s nice to see you again,”
she said.
    Alex sat next to her, his back to Miles. “You
brought your work with you?”
    “No, just playing around. You know, killing
time.”
    Alex handed her a mug. “I noticed your cup
was empty. Yesterday you took cream but no sugar, so that’s what I
got you.”
    “Thanks, Alex,” she said, sounding genuinely
pleased. “I was too lazy to get up for another one.”
    Miles stabbed his knife into the cream cheese
and smeared it over his bagel.
    “If you’re killing time, does that mean you
might be glad to go for a walk?” Alex asked.
    “A walk?” The way she hesitated and patted
her laptop, Miles assumed she was about to turn him down, but then
she said, “Yes. I’d like that. Right now?”
    “We could have our coffee first if you’d
like.”
    “Actually, I’m well caffeinated already, but
if you—”
    “No, the coffee was just a bribe to get you
to talk to me.” He reached into his bag. “I’ve got peaches if that
didn’t work.”
    Miles rolled his eyes. What a smoothie.
    “I’ll have to put my laptop in my cabin.” She
looked over at the door and suddenly noticed Miles behind the tree.
Naturally, no man his size could hide for long behind an indoor
plant. Her smile fell and her ears turned pink. “Oh, it’s
Miles.”
    Alex spun around in his seat. “Is it—Miles!”
He jumped to his feet, strode over with his arms wide.
    Was Alex really going to hug him? Miles was
glad his hands were full. “Hi there, Alex, Lucy. Sorry to
interrupt. I was just—” He took an enormous bite of his bagel and
spoke with his mouth full.  “Eating.”
    Alex slapped him on the arm. “Some things
never change, big guy.”
    Now, Miles didn’t mind when Huntley called
him that, or even Ronnie or the kids, but when guys like Alex said
it he had to make a conscious effort not to deck the little prick.
“How was the hike?”
    “Huntley bailed on me. Too cold, he said.”
Alex turned to Lucy, who had joined them with her laptop tucked
under her arm. “I was disappointed at first, but not so much now,
given the upgrade in my hiking partner.”
    “You guys can catch up while I put my laptop
in my cabin,” Lucy said.
    Not sure how long he could keep the bland
smile on his face, Miles stuck his hand out. “I’ll drop it off for
you. I’ll be heading back there in a minute.”
    Alex slapped is shoulder again. “Thanks, big
guy.” He reached over to take the laptop from Lucy, as though to
hurry or guarantee the transaction, but she clutched it to her
chest like a freezing man with a heating pad.
    “No, I’d rather do it myself. I didn’t bother
with the case.”
    “I’ll be careful.” Miles held out the right
side of his unzipped sweatshirt. “I’ll nestle it in here like a
baby.”
    She glanced down at his chest, in the shadows
of his body, and he felt his heart began to thud. He wasn’t ashamed
to admit he was sucking in his gut, or that he thought she was hot
and adorable.
    “Well, sure. Thanks.” She handed it over.
    He let his fingers brush against hers,
enjoying the flash of sexual awareness in her green eyes. “You’re
welcome.”
    Alex practically carried her out of the
building. “We’ll catch up later, Miles,” he said, hooking an arm
around her back and pulling her away.
    “Fawn should be in the cabin, so you can just
knock and she’ll get it,” Lucy threw out over her shoulder.
    “No problem,” Miles said.
    Alex looked back at him. A message passed
between them, ancient and hostile and male, before Alex smiled and
shut the door between them.
    Ah, well. Better luck next time. Letting out
the air he was holding, Miles lugged his inadequate breakfast and
the laptop over to a couch in the corner and put his feet up on an
ottoman. An older couple was just