Page 30 of Marking Mia

I can’t deny the excitement I feel, but I remind myself that this is just a simple dinner. Finn and Jace are new in town and looking for friends. I don’t have any friends except for Justin, so it feels strange to talk to other people.

My phone pings with a text.

Finn

Do you need a ride this evening?

I wince and text back quickly.

No, that's alright. But thank you!

This is just a dinner among friends, of course. But Justin wouldn’t see it that way, especially if one of them were to pick me up. The last thing I want is to give him the wrong idea. I don’t love the idea of hiding this from him, but fuck him.

As I put my phone back in my pocket, my eyes catch on a dress at the back of my closet. I haven’t worn it in ages, but I remember it used to make me feel confident. It’s a simple green wrap dress with a low neckline that reveals a hint of cleavage.

Taking it off the hanger, I slip it over my head. It might be too tight, and I’m sure it will be, but I just want to try it.

When I step in front of the floor-length mirror against the far wall, I’m taken by surprise. The dress is a bit snug, sure, but it hugs my curves in a way that makes them look... sexy. I shimmy in front of the mirror, trying to find something to nitpick, but the dress is genuinely flattering.

Still, I feel a flutter of nerves. What if it isn’t nice enough? What if I’m seeing what I want to see right now?

I shake my head and smooth out the dress. It will have to do- insecurities and all. There’s not much time left to get ready.

Once I’ve fixed my makeup and styled my hair into a half-updo, I open a ride-share app. Typically, this would be an expense I couldn’t justify, but with the mysterious money I’ve suddenly acquired, I've got a lot more wiggle room.

As soon as the ride arrives, I quickly leave the house and get into the red car, feeling guilty.

The whole way to the restaurant, I fidget with my purse strap. The music on the radio is a new pop song that plays at the café all the time, and I mumble the words under my breath as we get closer to my destination. Even though I broke up with Justin, I feel weird.

Charlie’s is a casual dining restaurant. Nothing that should make me so nervous. But as the car pulls up to the establishment, my chest tightens.Should I be doing this?

The driver turns back to me, expectant.

“This is your destination, correct?”

“Yes,” I say hastily as I step out of the car. “Thank you.”

As I walk to the door, I shove my hands into my coat pockets. It doesn’t take long for me to spot Finn and Jace standing outside the restaurant, their eyes meeting mine as I approach. Finn is wearing a black hoodie and matching sweats, his black hair falling over his eye as usual. Jace is in a graphic t-shirt paired with jeans.

“Mia,” Jace greets. “I was really glad when Finn told me you’d be joining us.”

Finn offers a smile and envelops me in a warm hug. “It’s good to see you again. You look stunning in that dress.”

Their warmth eases the knot of anxiety in my chest, and I return the smile.

“Thank you,” I reply, looking down shyly. I never wear form-fitting clothes, and I can feel all my folds showing in this dress, but I try not to dwell on that.

When I look back up, I catch Finn and Jace exchanging an inscrutable glance. There’s an intensity on their faces that I haven’t seen before, and it piques my curiosity.

“I think Kane is already inside,” Finn says. “Shall we?”

I nod. “Lead the way.”

As we step inside, light jazz plays from the speakers, and the crowd is thinner than I expected. It probably gets busieron weekend nights. Disco lights shine over the circular red tables.

Then my eyes lock onto the table in the corner. I don’t know why, but I’m certain this is the friend Finn mentioned.Kane. My breath catches, and I swallow past a suddenly dry throat.

Because this man is handsome.

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