Page 58 of Meet Me on Lilac Lane

“Mia, I really don’t want to go in.” Lily shook her head slowly. “I don’t think running my own business is a smart choice for me right now.” She paused. “Maybe ever.”

Okay, that sounded like a conversation for another day. She’d let Lily off this time.

Mia released a sigh. “Sorry. I’ll stop pressuring you.” She led the way back out to the wagon waiting in the morning sunshine. “I confess I have a reason for being so pushy.”

“Oh?”

She gripped the handle of the wagon, knuckles white. “I’m afraid I’m not going to meet my quota.” Lily knew all about the project, both from Mia herself and from Cody.

“I’m so sorry, Mia. I wish I could help.”

“Well, you could move home…” Mia held up a hand to ward off Lily’s protest. “Sorry, terrible joke. Seriously though, if you hear of anyone who wants to relocate to a beautiful island in the Midwest, send them my way.”

She still didn’t understand why people weren’t flocking to the island. Sure, it was remote, and you had to take the ferry to get to the nearest Target, but the quiet surroundings, the lovely state park, and the community more than made up for it.

She looked around at the little shops surrounding them on Main Street. Some days, her fingers itched to really bring back the full charm of this place she loved. The town had done a great job of cleaning up a bit in preparation for the meeting, but Mia had seen this town before the fire and the pandemic. She knew how amazing it could be.

They walked past the storefront Mia had earmarked for Matt’s art studio.

“Why don’t you take one?” Lily pointed at the empty gallery. “You probably have enough art stashed at your parents’ house to fill that place.”

Something tugged deep in her gut. A gallery of her own…Except. “There’s no way I can manage a gallery. My kids take too much attention.”

“Can’t your family help with the kids? Or there’s always daycare.”

“My mom already is helping Evie a lot. And Troy’s mom has moved her mother into her house for the foreseeable future. Not an option. Also, daycare? I don’t think this island is big enough for that.” A heaviness in her stomach threatened tears. “No, I need something that is more flexible. If we can get more people on island, I’m thinking of focusing on real estate again. I need to be practical.”

“Fair enough. But I’d hate to see you give up your art entirely.” Lily gave Mia a searching look.

She turned away from the studio. “Cody said something similar to me the other day.”

“Speaking of Cody, I saw your video.”

Mia groaned. “You and thirty thousand of your friends.”

Lily bumped her shoulder into Mia’s “He still has that spark in his eye.”

“What do you mean?” Mia’s hands grew damp around the wagon handle.

“C’mon, Mia, you know Cody has always been interested in you.”

“When we were younger.” She thought back to their conversation. He’d said teenage crush, right?

“Yes, but also now. I don’t think he ever stopped caring for you like that.”

Her gaze whipped to Lily. “He told you that?”

“He didn’t have to. I know my brother.”

Mia looked at herself, reflected in the gallery window. Red top, khaki shorts, hair blowing in the wind. She remembered his wordslike a water sprite.Now she just looked like the overworked mother of two. “You’re wrong. Once Troy and I got together, he only saw me as a friend. His little crush died.” That’s what Cody had said, right?

“First, it was never just a crush. He loved you.” The sweet scent of the jasmine in the flower box floated over them. “And I don’t think he ever stopped.”

Loved her?

Oh, wow.

“Are you sure? He never said anything. Made a move, or anything.” Mia wiped her hands on her khakis.

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