Page 70 of Fighting Fate

Milli, focus. This isn't the time or place.

But what if it is? Just for tonight, can I let everything else go?

My thoughts are cut short as his phone rings. He holds up a finger, signaling, "just a second."

Miles answers, his expression flickering from joy to something else—sadness, or annoyance, perhaps. It's hard to read from here. But once he starts talking, his cheerful demeanor returns.

I overhear the familiar voice on the call. Peeking over, I see it's a FaceTime call.

The sight of him on video brings a rush of memories, stirring a warmth in my cheeks. Will every video call now remind me of our own? Of that accidental yet thrilling exposure? Miles always had this down-to-earth charm, his easy confidence captivating not just me but seemingly every woman at NorthRidge University.

"Miles, who's that?" his mom's voice interrupts from the phone.

Seizing the moment for a bit of fun, I lean into view. "Hey, Mrs. C., how's it going?" I flash a bright smile.

She returns the smile, a hint of surprise in her voice. "Hey Milli. I thought I recognized you. Miles, weren't you studying with your tutor?"

Wait—his mom doesn't know I am tutoring him?

Miles glances my way, a brief flash of embarrassment crossing his face before he masks it. He turns back to his phone, fingers brushing his face as if to smooth away any lingering discomfort.

"Yeah, Mom, Milli's tutoring me."

There's a pause, his mother sounding surprised. "Milli's your tutor?"

Does he feel embarrassed about me tutoring him?

Her face brightens, excitement evident. "That's wonderful! Hey Sean, did you hear? Milli's helping Miles."

In the background, his dad's voice comes through, a muted note of approval. "That's great, son."

Mrs. Chasen's expression turns thoughtful. "Does your mom know about this, Milli? Oh gosh, she's going to have a field day when she finds out."

I catch a glimpse of Mr. Chasen in the video, holding up a tie. "Which one for the gala?" he asks. Mrs. Chasen points to the light blue one, which indeed complements his eyes. The resemblance between Miles and his father is striking, especially those deep blue eyes.

He turns his head to give Mrs. Chasen a kiss on the cheek and says, "Miles, you never replied to my text the other night. Is everything okay?" His brows furrow with concern.

He mentions something about personal matters, but his words are shrouded in vagueness. What's really going on with him?

Then, Mr. Chasen mentions his doctor's appointment, and Miles' demeanor shifts subtly. He looks tired, almost defeated. I can't stand seeing him like this, especially when we're only halfway through our session. I decide to take the lead.

"Hey, Mrs. C., have you picked out your dress for the gala yet?" I stand up and add some dramatic flair by running my hands along my body. "I'm thinking of something timeless with a modern twist."

This is so far from my comfort zone—I usually can't stand discussing dresses, parties, and all that jazz. Just think back to how much I dreaded choosing an outfit for my first NorthRidge party with Payson. But I know it's something both Mrs. Chasen and my own mother love to chat about. If it distracts them from pestering Miles, it's worth it.

"Oh, I can totally see that," she says, her eyes practically painting the picture in her mind.

Miles swings the video screen my way, giving me a knowing smirk as he observes my little detour. I shoot him a wink because, why not? Our flirty banter doesn't just evaporate because his parents have joined the scene.

I keep it rolling. "Imagine this, Mrs. C., a soft pastel pink, a classic A-line shape that nips at the waist, off-the-shoulder with a sweetheart neckline, and a subtle V-neck back adorned with those dainty buttons."

Her eyes widen, and she clasps her hands over her chest.

Miles, wearing a sly grin, nods in agreement. "You've got that right!"

Sure, I might have pondered what to wear, but am I going to admit that to anyone? Not on your life. Yet, it's a gala for a cause that means a lot to me.

"Wow, Milli, that dress sounds like a total dream," she gushes.