Chapter 34: Start of Cute Romance

Milie's POV

Breakfast wrapped up without any fuss, and we headed back to the car.

"Hey, Dax… can we swap seats?" I asked, glancing at Milie.

"You're sitting in the front?" Emma asked instantly.

"Yeah," I said casually. "Might catch some sleep."

I caught the slight fall in her expression. But what mattered was Milie.

I didn't turn fully, but I saw it. That faint blush on her face, and yeah, it was worth it.

The car had barely pulled out when my phone buzzed.

I didn't need to check. It was her.

She was by the window, right behind me. I could see her through the side mirror—half hiding, half watching.

A small smile pulled at my lips.

Milie: Wow. Front seat?

Milie: Didn't know you were this eager to escape me.

I let out a quiet huff of laughter and typed back without turning.

Alan: Yeah... the way you asked me not to join?

Alan: Thought I'd save you from the discomfort.

Her lips twitched. I saw it. She read it. Paused. Then typed.

Milie: I said sorry, Mr.

I raised a brow.

Alan: I hope that's the last time.

Her reply came instantly.

Milie: Can't guarantee.

I shook my head slightly.

Alan: 🙄

Milie: 😂

Milie: Anyway… thanks.

I leaned back a little, eyes still on the road ahead.

Alan: For?

She didn't reply immediately. I checked the mirror. She was biting her lip.

Dax glanced up from his phone, and she quickly looked away, pretending nothing was happening.

Then—

Milie: You know.

I smiled faintly.

Alan: No, I don't.

Alan: Tell me clearly.

Milie: For you being annoying.

I let out a soft laugh.

Alan: You're impossible. 😂😂

Milie: Still… you like me.

That one stayed on my screen a second longer.

Alan: And I'm waiting for you to.

I looked up at the mirror again. She wasn't looking at her phone anymore.

She was looking at me. Directly. But as our eyes met, she quickly looked down and typed—

Milie: Feeling sleepy 😴

I smirked, still holding my gaze. Though she looked away, she couldn't hide her face turning red.

The car slipped into silence after that. Within an hour, everyone had drifted off.

Sammy slumped awkwardly in the back. Tessa curled into the window.

Emma leaned to one side, asleep.

Except me.

Sleep didn't come. My mind refused to shut up. Everything felt too fast. Too unexpected. Too unreal.

She liked me. Or at least something close to it.

And now? Now it was on me. To not mess this up. To understand her world.

Because Milie wasn't simple. She was chaos wrapped in charm, a puzzle she herself didn't know how to solve.

If I didn't learn her, I'd lose her.

My thoughts drifted back to the morning. "When she turned and saw me, her eyes didn't just light up—they reached for me."

"And then she only asked me not to join."

I smirked to myself.

"Yeah… She was right—zero coordination between heart and brain."

I glanced back. There she was. Sleeping. Her head resting on Dax's shoulder, her fingers loosely wrapped around his arm.

Something in my chest tightened.

If that were me, I would've brushed her hair away from her face.

Let my fingers move through her hair, and kissed her forehead softly when no one was looking.

I would've stayed like this the entire ride.

I exhaled slowly and looked ahead again.

"Patience," I told myself. "She needs time. You wait."

The six-hour drive finally came to an end.

The car turned into a wide gravel driveway, lined with trimmed hedges and tall maple trees.

And ahead of us stood a beautiful vacation house in classic American coastal style.

"Not bad, Sammy," I said, stepping out and adjusting my sunglasses.

He grinned. "Told you."

“Yeah, idiot,” Dax added, smirking. “This is good.”

Sammy and Dax headed toward the entrance to check in with the owner, while I moved to the back of the car to unload luggage.

Emma and Tessa stepped out, stretching and chatting as they walked toward the house.

Only one person stayed behind.

Milie. Still inside. Still half-asleep. Still her. I paused for a second.

Then walked around and extended my hand toward her.

“Need help?” I asked, a playful softness in my voice.

She looked at my hand. Then at me, frowning, before smacking my hand away.

Right. She was not a princess, not even close.

She stretched lazily, then lifted her leg toward me, stopping just inches from my stomach.

“Move,” she said. “Or my foot’s landing on your fit body.”

I raised my brows, looking up at the sky dramatically. “Wow. God. I can’t take more confessions today.”

Then I leaned closer, smirking. "Thanks for noticing."

"Ugh, I hate you," she groaned, flopping back dramatically, and accidentally kicking me.

I stepped back, laughing.

"Careful," I said, grabbing her ankle lightly. Before she could kick again, I pulled her upright.

She sat up, still looking dazed.

I held her hands without thinking, my thumbs brushing over her fingers.

"What's wrong?" I asked gently.

She shrugged, looking away. "I don't know. Everything feels weird. New."

I waited.

"I'm not used to this," she added softly. "All this attention. The… gentleman stuff. It’s annoying."

I smiled faintly.

"Annoying?" I repeated.

"Yes," she said quickly. "Can we just… stay normal? Like friends? No princess treatment."

For a second, I just looked at her. Then I lifted my right hand in the air.

"Whatever you want, Mils."

Her face brightened instantly. "Seriously?"

I nodded.

She grinned and slapped my palm in a quick high-five. "Thank you."

Then she pushed my chest lightly. "Now move."

I caught her head gently as she hopped down, shaking it. "You’re impossible."

She pulled away and ran toward the house.

And I just stood there for a second, smiling like an idiot.

"Glad that she honestly shared what was bothering her."

Good to start with. I thought.

Once the luggage was inside, I stepped into the house.

The interior matched the outside—warm wooden floors, soft beige couches, big windows letting in natural light.

A modern kitchen to one side, stairs leading up, and a cozy, lived-in feel.

Sammy and Dax were still talking to the host near the entryway. The girls had already claimed the couch.

I walked over. "It'll take about ten minutes," I said, looking straight at Milie. "Wanna check out the place?"

"No," she replied instantly, slouching deeper into the couch. "I've got all day."

Before I could say anything, Tessa and Emma jumped up.

"Yeah, let’s go," they said together and walked off.

Milie stared at them as she'd just been betrayed.

I couldn't help it. I stepped back slowly, a smug smile creeping in.

Before I could escape—Thud.

She rose and punched me on my chest. Then my arm. Then my shoulder.

"You are so annoying," she snapped. "Stop teasing me."

"What did I do?" I said in a hushed voice. "I asked you. Not them."

"You did it on purpose."

I leaned closer, whispering, "No… but next time? I definitely will."

I winked. "I like seeing you—"

"Milie?" Dax's voice cut through. Both of us froze.

Her hand stopped mid-air.

She turned toward him, her expression instantly shifting—careful, and aware.

I straightened, clearing my throat.

"Yeah… I'll just go check on the others," I said casually, stepping away.

"Mm-hmm," she nodded, eyes still on Dax.

I walked out, running a hand over my face.

"Great," I groaned. "Here he is."

The line I couldn't cross. One boundary she wouldn't break.

If he said no, she'd walk away. From me. Just like that.

I exhaled sharply, staring out toward the porch.

"Guess I’m not just fighting for her," I murmured. "I'm fighting her world too."

"And right now? I'm not sure if I would ever win?"